Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-10
THE CONSP|RAC TRIAL
Progress of Hearing in the
Post Office Case.
GEN. TYNER ABSENT
SPIRITED DISCUSSION ENLIvENs
THE PROCEEDINGS.
Testimony Regarding the Action of
Department Officials in Connec-
ton With Trust Companies.

The Indictment weather this morning pre-
vented the attendance of Gen. James N
Tyner in Criminal Court No 1, where the
trial of himself and Harrison J. Barrett on
charges of conspiring to defraud the United
States Is In progress. In fact when the
crier formally opened court at 10 o'clock
Mr.. Barrett and his attorneys and the ceun-
sci for the government were the only per-
sons. with very few exceptions present.
Later Mrs. Barrett and the other ladies Of
her party arrived.
The proceedings for an hour or more after
the opening of court were as humdrum and
embarrassing as during any similar period
since the trial was begun. A rather spir-
tied passage between counsel occurred
during the morning, however, and for q
short time the situation reminded those
within hearing Of the enlivened days of the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. trial a month or so
ago. AS an example of how counsel refer
to one another, an incident Is cited. AS
sistant United States Attorney Taggart
stated a proposition to the court. In reply,
Attorney Worthington. leading counsel for
the defense, remarked:
'Mr. Taggart Is altogether right, except
that he Is wrong
Again Mr. worthington objected strenu-
ously to Mr.. Taggart leading the witness. "
Major Conrad. special counsel for the
government, suggested that the question
that had last been asked by Mr.. Taggart
was bound to be leading.
II do not know whether Major Conrad
or your honor is running the court, Mr..
Worthington commented sarcastcalIy.
1.-THE tone of my voice indicated that my
remark was intended as an tntefrogatory.
Major Conrad retorted. Il am not usurp-
ing the power of the court
Later Mr.. Taggart asked what was con-
sidered by Mr.. Worthington to be another
leading question
Just write out the answer you want tho
witness to make and hand the paper to
him." Mr.. Worthington observed to Mr..
Taggart The latter ignored this sugges-
ton.
The Reading Of Letters and Documents
Much time was consumed today In read
ing letters and other documents with which
the several witnesses had some connection
The prosecution proceeded with the intro
duction of testimony tending to prove its
contention that soon after number Of
bond investment concerns throughout the
country received notice of the rendition,
December 5, 1900, by Mr.. Barrett, as acting
assistant attorney general for the Post
Office Department, of an opinion unfavor-
able to the companies, they also received
cards announcing that Mr.. Barrett would
resign from the government service Janu-
airy 1. 1901. and form a partnership with ].
Henning Nelms and engage In pratice be-
fore the department. While the defense
admits that Mr. Barrett represented a large
number of bond investment concerns as at
torney, after he had resigned from the de-
partment. it denies emphaticalfy that he
sent to such concerns cards announcing
that he would engage in practice before
the department.
Justice Pritchard today declined to permit
counsel to go over again ground that had
already been covered in the examinati ton
of witnesses. and insisted that more rapid
rnr0c hn nad Not f,cfo 1nex
stimulus the beginning of the end of the
trial Is not yet in sight.