Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-03
THE WATSON VAT !! HEARING |!
TaH ~ go ssN
Former District : i! Clerk Faces
Charges Of Embezzlement.
pRocEsfD > I TODAY
Ic3S nj
JURY SWORN ,oAND INTRoDUC-
TON OF TESTIMONY BEGUN.
Defense Reserves Statement - Former
Auditor Petty Placed on the
Witness Stand.
'RocEsGDI I TODAY

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The trial of James NJ. A. Watson,
who is charged with embezzling
about $4,000 from the District
government, was resumed in Grim
inal Court No. 1 today.
The jury was impaneled and
former Auditor James T. Petty was
called as the first witness. He told
of the manner in which he had
learned of Watson's alleged pecula-
tons.
The defense reserved opening
statement. -
In a court room dismal and gloomy be-
cause of the prevailing weather conditions
the trial of James Nj. A. Watson. accused
of embezzling about 5000 of funds in the
keeping of the auditor of the District OF
Columbia, while he. was employed as
clerk In the auditors office, was resumed
today The only witnesses who had taken
the stand up to the hour an adjournment
vas ordered until tomorrow morning was
Mr.. James I. Petty, for many years auditor
of the District of Columbia and who was
such when the funds alleged to have been
embezzled by Watson were taken.
Although Criminal Court No. was not
crowded. there was a large audience In
attendance to follow the proceedings.
The wife of the defendant was not pres
emit, it being the first time she has failed
to appear in connection with the occa-
sions her husband has been taken before
a jury to answer the charge against him.
The Indictment conditions outside were
very likely responsible for Mrs. watson's
absence. Attorney A. S. Worthtngton OF
counsel for the defense was also missing,
he having gone to Utah In his capacity
as attorney for Senator Reed Smoot. The
understanding is that Attorney Worth
ington will not participate in the Watson
trial Attorneys D. w. Baker and Stuart
Mcnamara will look after the interests OF
the defendant. TheJprosecution is being
personally conducted by Mr.! Morgan III.
Beach. United States attorney for the
District of Columbia. He has the aid of
Assistant United States Attorneys Tur-
ner and Keigwin.
Probable New Phase Of Case.
When court had been formally opened this
morning, Attorneys Baker and Mcnamara
were granted permission to confer with
their client in private. 1t was stated that
the conference related to new phase Of
the case that had not been called to the
attention Of counsel until this morning. At
the end of half an hour the defense an
nounced that, it was ready to proceed. and
the following talesmen, selected the 21st OF
last month We're duly lmpaneled as the
jury: Ernest G Thompson, real estate
broker. 631 Pennsylvania avenue: John W.
Scroggins. dairyman. 1884 Brightwood ave-
nue.; Henry r. Clum,.jr, salesman, Bright
wood; Henry 7. Farmer, laborer, 154
street northeast; Francis Rabbit, motor
man, Capital Traction Company, 3341 M
street: Daniel II. Mcdowell. coloredl grocer.
2O30 Vermont avenue; Benjamin B. Merry
man. machfnist, 632 Pennsylvania avenue
southeast; Robert "A. Rollins. grocer, Ills
18th street southeast Adolph keyser, ad
writer, 20l9 Massachusetts avenue: Edward
B. Forney service clerk. Washington Gas
light Company: 1904 street, E. A. Hall,
conductor, Capital Traction Company, 1922
9th street southwest; D. William Oyster
butter merchant, 6l2 East Capitol street.
When It was directed that all witnesses
should remain outside, the court room until
called to testify. the prosecuting attorney
asked that Deputy Auditor Tweedale and
Mr.. Chase the latter of the Treasury De-
partment, be permitted to remain in the
room. as they were in charge of certain
papers and records. and the prosecution
would need them constantly throughout the
proceedings. Attorney Mcnamara objected
to Mr.. Tweedale remaining in the court
room, but consented that Mr.. Chase should
he allowed to stay. 5a
Embezzlement. Mr.. Beach pointed out. is
ordinary stealing, with the-difference that it
implies a breach of trust Watson, the
prosecuting attorney went on to say, being
in the employ of the local government,
there came into his hands by virtue of
such employment certain checks, five of
which were payable by the treasurer of
the United States. and two by the Central
National Bank. These checks should have
been deposited by Watson in the Traders
National Bank. In the auditors office Wat
son kept certain accounts, and 1t was part
of his duties to carry the checks to bank
and deposit them
THE particular checks described In the
indictment were given to Watson to be de-
posted In the Traders National Bank"
ho
at the Central National Bank and devoted
the proceeds to his own! use
What the government would prove Mr.
Beach, continuing, said. was that Watson
was employed in the auditors office that
there came to him In the ordinary course
of his official duties certain checks belong
ing to the District of Columbia, and that
while officially employed he converted the
checks to his own use.
sit will be troublesome for you to UNDER
stand the methods Of doing business in the
auditors Office Mr.. Beach further re-
marked to the jury but I ask you to re-
member that Watson received these checks
by virtue of his employment there. and that
he stole them.
1--WE cannot prove this by eye witnesses.
Watson, and Watson only. had the duty
of preparing audits Of vouchers and writing
checks for Mr.. Petty's signature, and Of
taking the checks to the bank to be deposit
ed. After depositing the checks it was his
duty to make entries in the books contain
ing his accounts with the banks. He did
make proper entries In the books that were
checked off by others. but he did not do
so In the books that were open to the In
spection only Of Mr. Petty. We cannot tell
you what he did with the money. but 1t is
in our power 10 show that he did not put
the checks where he should have put
them" rs
The defense stated that it would reserve
its opening address t0c the jury.
Mr.. Petty the First Witness.
Call Mr.. Petty" United States Attorney
Beach directed, and after the former audi
tor Of the District of Columbia had sub
scribed to an bath TO tell the truth. the
whole truth and nothing but the truth. the
prosecuting attorney inquired
Your name IS James 7. Petty?"
1T Isl the witness; replied.
Mr.. Petty. in answer to questions, then
proceeded to explain that he had been a
resident of this. city for thirty-seven years.
an employee OIL thea District of Columbia
since 1870, and was the Districts auditor
from May I. 1883. until August II, 1903. 1t
was pointed out that Watson had been an
employe in the auditors Office. and was in
charge OF the Iedgers relating to the whole
cost deposit fund from December, 1898,
unit. January, 1903. He was trusted en-
pioye. and was intrusted by the witness
and made deposits in banks for the audi
tor The latter kept official accounts with