The Washington times., 1904-05-18
CO-DefendantS Testify
in Their Own
Behalf.
CLOSE OF DEFENSE NEAR
Major Conrad Refuses to
Take Responsibility for
Cross Examination.

Gen. James y. Tyner and Harrison J.
Barrett. co-defendants in the conspi--
acy trial in progress in Criminal Court
| No. l. were both called 10 the witness
stand today to testify in their own de-
Tense. This marked the beginning of the
end. so far as that side Of the case is
/ concerned.
! General Tyner was wheeled into the
! courtroom, in his inva&45As rolling chair.
a few minutes after 1890 o'clock He
did not change 10 the Morris chair.
which he usually occupies, but remained
/ near the counsel table until several
| character witnesses had concluded.
Visitors of Note.
These witnesses were ex-Secretary of
State John ". Foster, who. like General
/ Tyner, claims Indiana as his legal sesi-
! dence. and r. Ross Perry, prominent
| local attorneE.
! General Foster was accompanied by
| Mrs. Foster. and the latter's house
guest. Mrs Mary Harrison Mckee.
/ daughter Of the late President Harrison.
A stalwaTt youth in the bench just back
Of this party proved TO be the famous
Baby Mckee" of the Harrison Admin
/ istration
When the two prominent citizens had
recorded their absolute confidence in
! General Tyner's character. they and the
members OF their party shook hands
most cordially with him. and left the
courtroom.
Tyner on the Stand.
] Thereupon General Tyner's chair was
wheeled near 10 the witness stand and
close % the Jury rostrum- Mr.. Worth
/ ington sat OH the arm Of chair aad
! spoke into the generals right ear. a
/ stenographer took place difectly in
/ front. in order TO catch the replies Of
1 the witness
! General Tyner's voice was broken and
/ almost inaudible even 70 those nearest
/ 10 him He stuck to his task. however.
and, with the aid of stimulants twice
! given him. finished the story Of his ad-
ministratiOn OF affairs in his incumbencv
there Each answer. when completed.
was repeated TO the court and jury bv
the official stenographer. as only in this
| way could their import become known.
More than an hour was consumed in
/ getting General Tyner's answers. He
described, in straightforward way.
how he had sought, without success. to
have the Department of Justice write the
/ bond investment opinion. and had then
had to fall back upon Barrett. who at
! the witness suggestion about year
/ previously. had started to make a spe-
cial study Of the bond investment
schemes and theory.
Comment on Bnstow.
An Interesting incident Of the recital
was a reference to Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General Bristow The latter
| had suggested In a conference with
| Tyner. about official matters In 1901
that his (Bristow's) inspectors could do
| the work for which Tyner was trying to
/ get an appropriation Of $500, through
/ Postmaster General Smith, from Con-
! 6reSs, in the POstOfiice approximation
/ Dill The money was wanted for the
! salary OF two inspectors who should be
I-eXpert mdthcmdtiCianS, or, in fact ac-
/ tuaries, who could inform the depart-
! ment eXpertly as 10 the underlying facts
| Of the bond investment schemes.
! Il told him IBristowl," said General
! Tyner, almost inaudibly. that. although
! ne was bright man, as / knew him to
/ ne. yet II ne studied six months steadily
/ on the bond investment business, he
would still know nothing about it.
No CrOss-Examination
To facilitate the examination. Major
! Conrad and District Attorney Beach
| urged Mr. Worthington to employ lead
Ing questions wherever he desired. and
| SAID the Government would waive tho
! usual objections. Counsel for the de-
Tense accepted this suggestion To some
degree.
Wheh General Tyner's direct eXamina-
/ non mad been concluded, (e witness
I was referred IN the customary yVav 10
/ the prosecution for cross-exanination
/ MAJOR Conrad rose and. addressing th,.
court. said, IN an impressive manner:
We are not willing TO take the re
/ sponsibility Of taxing General Tvncr
/ with any crosS-eXam animation
/ General Iyner was then taken from
/ me courtroom and went at once to his
/ nome HIS physician who was in court
/ throughout his ordeal on the witnr,s
stand accompanied him. with Ms
/ Tyuer
D.. -