Evening journal., 1905-12-30

I will have to hold the defendants for
the Upper Court" said Magistrate George
IT, Hollis at the close of the hearing in
the case of the managers Of the Loan
Companies this pornIng
Assistant Attorney-General Daniel o.
Hastings requested that they be held on
one bail bond of $500 each for the next
term Of court and released in the other
cases on their own rccognizance.
Archie C. Rohr. Of Philadelphia. secre-
1 tary and treasurer of the Peoples Trust
s Company. who came down as a witness
for the defense was arrested by Con-
stable Thomas II. Buckley as he was leav-
fing the court room and held under SOD
gail for his appearance at "a hearing on
January 10th at 1880 o'clock.
Court Room Crowded
4 Long before the hour set for the hearing
+ this morning in the case against the man
ayers Of the Loan Companies the Office
Of Magistrate Hollis was filled with in
terested spectators of the prcc edlngs,
and when the hour came for the heqring
to commence the room was taxed to its
utmost capacity.
There were many IN the audience whose
4 rast experience with the loan companies
had been anything but pleasant and who
came with the hope that something might
be done which would help others who
we're in their clutches. Some came out Of
curiosity and to hear of the misfortune
OF others. while many others came to
give testimony OF the nefarious practice
OF the companies and To prove the con-
tentlon Of The Evening Journal, that
more than Il per centum per annum was
being exacted by these companies for the
loan Of money.
Thirteen Warrants Issued.
Thirteen warrants in an were served
on the defendant managers of the two
companies by Constable Thomas Il. Puck
Icy upon part or the evidence furnished by
The Journals witnesses for tho State and
each Of the warrants charged the same
offensc, that stated above.
Attorneys on Hand Early.
David J. Reinhardt and Philip c. Car
rett arrived with their defendants and
Surrendered them TO the Magistrate
promptly at 10 O'Clock. Tho defendants
presented their receipts received the S2o0
cash bail which each had furnished and
took seats in the adjoining room.
States Attorney Hastings arrived short-
" afterwards and after a short confer
ence with The Journals representative
called the first witness George W. Skaggs.
Mr. skaggs testified as to his residence
in the city of wilmington; stated that
he had gone to the offices of the Whining
ton Loan Company, No. 9-5 Mar
ket street to borrow money; that the
amount borrowed was twenty-five dollars;
that the money WAS to be repaid I'm
8 payments of S4.65 per month. He
Identified Arthur L. Wickenhoefer, one
of the defendants, as the man with
whom ne talked regarding the loan
and as the man who receipted for the
= Payments when made He testified
thaf he signed agreements at the office
of the company which they kept, and
hat no demand had been made on him
a.her than the agreement in the past
loand book which was given him. This
book was placed in evidence. A. l.
5NWiclSenhoefer had receipted for the
money as A. L. Wick. The following
wording appeared on the inside Of ths
book your account with this company
is s payments of S4.65, payable the 3lsi
day of each month; and stamp of the
Wilmington Loan Company. No. 92'
Market street, appeared beneath this
stldement.
David J. Rhinehardt cross eXaminel
Mr.. Skaggs and sought to bring oui
the fact that the money loaned was moi
Nr. Wdckenhoefer's but the property OF
the Wilmington Loan Company; thai
no demand was made for the money
and that he did not swear out the war
rant for the defendants arrest.
At the conclusion Of the cross exaani'
nation Attorney Rhinehardt requested
the dismissal OF the case on the ground
that Wtclenhoefer was not shown to b.
the Wilmington Loan Company; tha'
there was no proof that the interes
charged was Illegal and that no de
mand had been made by Arthur l.
Wickenhoefer.
States Attorney Hastings replied &
this contention by pointing out that anl
man who could figure could see tina.
1920 interest for the loan of $500 fo
six months was usury; that IL did no
make amy difference whether A. l.
Wickenhoefer was the Loan Company
Or its agent or what he was 50 lon.
bl' Lit dHidll1 tIlltihlH Aoi Aht to-Ai |'WNi'
made with him and iic had receipteg
for the money as was testified by Mr.
Skaggs.
Held for Court.
Judge Hollis could not see that tn
defense was sufficient to release. the de
fendant ana said Il win have to hol'
him Cor court h.
Agreed to Hear Two Charges.
It was agreed between counsel 70
the defense and the State. that but twl
charges would be heard. one agains
eaoh defendant and this plan wa
adopted.
After the disposal of the charg
against Arthur l.. Wickenhoefer tn
state called William II. Kinsler to IN
stand.
Legal Fight On.
With the cai,ing Of this witness !
was evident that a fight was on be
tween counsel. Mr.. kinsler testified q
making several loans from the People