New-York tribune., 1905-08-01
ANDREWS CHARGE FALLS.
HARRIS 1LSO DISCHARGED
Justice Olmsted Declines to Hold
Them for Grand Jury.

had been examined on charges of eXtortion
brought BY Mrs John s. Strosnider. who alleged
that after her husband and George Mckee had
been arrested complaint of Harris, charging
them with swindlirS him out OF Sl2eeo at faro
he G4arr.s ara Andrews promised TO drop the
prosecution il she would deed 10 him her nome
in Flatbush. The examination began Saturday
Justice Olmsted discharged the defendants WIN
out leaving The bench.
Andrews WAS Immediately surrounded 10y
score Of friends and congratulated lie salo ne
might make a statement before he salled lor
FuroDe Then both he and Harris hurried from
the courtroom.
The cross-exarnination OF DR.. Harris began the
session yesterday Acting District Attorney Sahs
conducted it, DR.. Harris did not appear TO en-
5ov the relentless questioning by MI. Cans he
went to worl. to fird OUT about Dr. Harris's loss
Of $4,000 in a gambling house near the wal
6o-f-Astoria one Of Mr. Ganss questions were;
AS understand IT, you and Strosnider agreed
10 go 10 a gambling house where Mckee was 10
deal for you TO play prearranged signals
given by the dealer:
THAT is not So" fairly shouted DR. Harris. Il
was lured into that place and was IN fear OF
nv life all the time I was there.
What was the scheme?" persisted Mr.. Cans
Practically no scheme AT all. After the first
exneyience and the loss Of $4,000. Strosnider
seia I had played in hard luck. and probably
II would put up another $1,000 I'd be likely 10
make UP what I had lost He said he would
secure me by note OF hand"
The witness said Mckee dealing when
he lost the S2500 and Strosnider was there.
Ee said be followed Strosnider's instructions In
the play after he had been forced 10 set GOWN
20 the faro layout"
Dr. Harris then said that he never dreamed
that while Strosnider was giving him chips with
which 70 plav he (Dr. Harris) was playing with
his own money.
WAS all the money lost?" Mr. Cans asked
"I suppose So" was the reply. Anyway, it
was all swept away by the man in charge OF the
box"
Dr. Harris Was asked great many questions
concerning his appearance before Deputy AS
sistant District Attorney Hart, who had charge
Of the case against Strosnider and Mckee IN
the police court, in the Office Of the District Al
torney The memory of the witness was dim
as 10 the details of his answers at that time.
and his counsel. Austen @. Fox and George Cor
don Battle repeatedly objected TO the form OF
the questions asked by Mr.. Cans.
Mr. Fox made the point frequently that Dr.
Harris having visited the District Attorneys
Office with the best Of intentions, was subjected
TO star chamber" proceedings, not being repre-
sented by counsel. Mr.. Fox declared that his
client had been badgered into making what
sounded like discriminating statements ana mad
been scared by the District Attorneys threats of
being taken before the grand jury, with pos
sibIity Of being indicted.
DIT. Harris said that he was very much ex-
cited while al the District Attorneys office.
s.I intended to be frank he declared, so
far as ] could without discriminating myself
.eYou are very easily frightened for a soldier.
are you not?" said Mr. Cans
'I think veg few men could be before the
District Attorney as l was and not be fright
ened." the reply.
please get that answer on the record, despite
the District Attorneys objection" exclaimed
Ar. Fox ITS good one"
o-None Of the money you played the night The
$1,000 was lost was your money. was il, Dr. Ear
thought % ii was vas s. sfrosnideT o ~ O' N-0" Il -
Q-Next day you saw your counsel and told him
How could yOg hsEe been 6%nS2sd # {29 Ven were
that tlme began to realize that. having only q
note of hand security for the loan OF the $1,000
J had really been playing my money.
Q--And Your counsel advised your risk:ng more?
Old You see Your n counSei sS1 On fhe day that you
lost $3.50 IN room near the Hotel Astor? Al
0:SRtd You ten hin, yop were going to visit a
on eon9nng 1 e a9ose AdMo; ; think told him was
& 28s oe %SGe t3H oa Re In the mnRes Rs9 losing the
u Asked about the conversation he had with
strosnider over the spending of the $500 DR..
W Harris said Strosnider first wanted him to risk
another $4,000 Then Strosnider, he said, sug-
gested $4,000. DR.. Harris finally decided TO risk
$500
,9-DTyidn,t strosnider on June q invite you and
refuse ana so TO Manhattan Beach instead? A
Yes, that is true.
pcb p9abDdnt si you you on yQgE return from Manhattan
their home in Flatbush? Why was thai? A
went 10 ind OUT II they owned merely rented the
place but expected TO, or another somewhat like it
This ended the examination Of DR. Harris.
John Day, who said he had been a profes-
sional gambler, told Of being the "capper" in
the faro games in which Dr. Harris was placed
He said he was employed by Mckee in the fake
gambling house near the Waldorf Astoria, and
acting under orders admitted TO the house on
the night Of March IL Strosnider and Dr. Harris
He said Harris, as soon as he got into the room
where the layout was ready. took off his coat
sat down TO the table and bought some chips
He did not remember how much money the
doctor handed over.
Mr.. Fox asked Day:
Q.-Ever hesr Of the expression "a capper,'? A
Yes Sometimes he's a booster.
Q.-What does he 90? A. He assists in the
o--You mean when sucker IS being trimmed? 4?
Al suppose so.
short recess was taken to enable the lawyers
and the District Attorney to arrange their argu-
ments for the summing up. When court re-
convened. Mr.. Fox closed the defence. He spoke
briefly, saying:
I am not going to take up the time of this
court with going over the character of the wit
nesses brought here 20 swear away the reputa-
lions Of TWO such eminent gentlemen as Mr..
Andrews and Dr. Harris. Time was when the
District Attorneys office would say after hav-
Of C1rFh IeE~ sfasf11