Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-23
Strong Evidence Submitted
at Burton Trial
IN SAINT LOUIS TODAY
PROSECUTION HAS ABOUT CON-
CLuDED IT'S CASE.
Government Introduced an Important
Witness in Charles r. Brooks, Who
Told Of Conference.

81. LOUIS, No, November c3-The roy.
eminent provided q surprise in the trial Of
United States Senator J. r. Burton OF Kan.
sas charged with being the paid attorney
Tor corporation In matters pending befoye
the Post ONCE Department, by introducing
as witness today Charles II. Brooks. for
nler president Of the company which vas
the predecessor OF the Riaito Company and
former president of the National Securities
Company
Brooks testified that at conference be.
tween Senator Burton. X. H. Kasfor and
himself Senator Burton was introduced by
kastor, who said the senator was willing TO
represent the National Company. Brooks
said he did not sec how the senator could
be OF any use TO him
kastor replied continued the witness,
mere IL the man tpointing to- Burton) who
aefeated your fight against Maj. Dennis.
PRESIDENT OF the Rfalto Company. by pre-
xeting the issue of a fraud order by the
Post Office Department
replied that IN that case II might be
wen To employ Senator Burton. as Kastor
IN ST. Louis were under Investigation and
tbat trouble might be made for me.
Discussion as to Terms.
There was some general discussion be-
tween myself and Senator Burton as 70
terms and other matters but no definite ar
raneement was reached"
The government also brought out the fact
that BROOKS IL now awaiting a decision Of
the court OF appeals on his conviction on a
charge or conducting scheme to defraud
In connection with the National Securities
Company.
On cross examination the defense at
tempted to show that the testimony Of
Brooks was secured by certain promises OF
immunity made by the federal authorities.
Brooks denied this.
The government then asked permission
from Judge Van de vanter to introduce
the city, and, with this exception Col Dyer
announced that the prosecution had COM
pletsd Its case.
Attorney Lehman objected, claiming the
defense had the right TO know the prosecu-
tons entire case before attempting to con-
troveft II.
Judge Van de Yanter ruled that IL the
witness was on hand az the RECOMMENDING Of
court 81 pm. he could be heard, but at
that hour the defense should begin.
Few Witnesses Summoned
Very few witnesses have been summoned
by the defense. IL IL presumed that Sena-
tor Burton will be the principal witness IN
his own behalf
The first witness today was Hector C.
McRea, former controller OF the Rialto
Grain and Securities Company, who testified
that he was introduced to Senator Burton
I'm the Office Of Vice President Mahaney of
the Rialto company on March 20. 1908. and
was told by Mahaney that the senator had
rendered his resignation and severed his
connection with the company Witness said
Mahapey told him Senator Burton had been
paid 10 date, and that. In view or the fact
that there bad been nothing doing Tor some
time past. and that everything had been
cleaned up In the Post ONCE Department,
the senator felt he WAS not earning his fees.
Burton's Statement Quoted.
Mr.. McRea also quoted the following
statement, which, he testified, Senator Bur-
ton made In his presence: =.
Before leaving Washington / Senator
Burton) visited the department and there
learned that there were no, complaints
against the Riaito Company"
Thomas B. Harlan, former attorney for
the Rialto Company, was recalled and ques-
toned by District Attorney Dyer regarding
two letters written by Burton to Harlan
and turned over TO Senator Burton by Har-
Ian after the first indictment against the
senator.
Harlan testified that they were destroyed.
and in cross-eaamination he testified that
the contents of these letters were entirely
personal and contained no mention of the
Rialto Grain and Securities Company.