The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-30
ment concerning your Indictment and

ment concerning your indictment and
arrest? ?" he was asked.
mo, / have nothing whatever to
say" he answered and hurried away
Attorney Urion and Mr.. Tilden also
refused to discuss the case at that
time.
At the conference it is said the
names of a number of other persons
besides that of Connors were mention
ed. Reports of secret service men
concerning the persons with whom
Shields had been seen and who had
entertained him during his stay in
Chicago were presented.
The conference lasted for hours and
finally it was decided to proceed under
section 5S99 of the revised statutes.
Another section which it is said was
seriously considered by the men in
conference provides that if two per-
sons conspire to interfere with a gov
eminent witness in each case they may
be subjected to a fine of not less than
$500 or more than $1,000, or fmpris-
onment from six months to six years,
or both. 1t was finally decided, how
ever, not to proceed under this section
at the present time. although further
arrests are expected to follow.
Assistant Attorney General Pagn,
was not inclined to discuss the action
taken by the special grand jury in de-
tail, although he said that the reason
for such action was plainly set forth
in the indictment. He also said that
be voted against others for the same
charge.
The action taken by the special
grand jury in voting a true bill against
ConEors was. as is plainly set forth.
due to the discoveries made by secret
service men who have been watching
the Witnesses he said. THE charges
made in the indictment are that Con-
Shields, who was called from Brook
Ign to Chicago as one of the chief
witnesses in the investigation. The
indictment makes the charge clear
and there is nothing more that I can
say at this time"
From a federal official it was learned
tonight that several witnesses had been
approached, and as soon as the proof is
in the hands of District Attorney Nor
rison, it is said more indictments will
be returned.
J. ogden Armour the head of the
Armour and Co., declared that the in
dictment returned against his confiden-
tial man, Thomas ]. Corners, is the
result of grave misunderstanding as
to the facts
Mr.. Shields is the New York represen-
tative of H. ]. Ellis and Co. agents for
Armour and Co., in Singapore, and ac-
cording to Mr.. Armour's statement
Shields calls at the office of the pack
/ ing company were entirely of his own
action. Continuing Mr.. Armour says:
THE usual courtesies of a business
house to its representative were accord
ed Mr.. Shields to the extent of grant
ing his request to communicate with
his office in New York over the private
wires of the company concerning his
business affairs there and to care for
his incoming mail and kilograms re-
ceived until he should call for the same
During his stay in Chicago, Mr.. Shields
was not entertained by representatives
Of Armour and Co, at dinners, theater
parties or elsewhere. Mr. Corners as
sures me, and I have every reason to
believe him that he did not as charged
in the indictment attempt in any man
ner to tamper with or influence Shields
in the performance of his duty to ap-
pear before the jury and give evidence
on any subject where he might have
knowledge"