The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-29
They VIII Be Investigated by
Federal Grand Jury.
Chiefs of Systems Appear Before
Investigators.
RETURN INDICTMENTS.
Armour Man Charged With
Tampering With Witness.
COnners Charged With Attempt
ing to Influence Testimony.

Chicago. March 29.-John E. Shields.
Of Brooklyn, N. Y. a former employe
of Armour & Co., was arrested today by
deputy United States marshal.
Shields is a witness in the federal grand
jury investigation for the beef trust and
is alleged to have been tampered with
by Thomas J. Corners, general superin-
tendent of Armour & Co. Corners was
arrested last night on a bench warrant.
but was at liberty today on bail.
Shields arrest today was to make sure
of him as a witness against Connora.
Shields was later released on $1,000 bond
until, the July term OF court, when it is
expected the charges against Connora
will be tried before Federal Judge Hum
phrey.
Chicago, March 2s.-That the federal
grand jury investigating beef trust
methods expects within a few days to
delve into the affairs Of the private car
line system of the Chicago packers was
revealed by the appearance Of several
witnesses who are known to be direct
ing heads of various private car lines.
Several of these men were important
witnesses before the interstate COM
nerce commission in Chicago last fall.
Some Of them refused to answer all
questions put to them
who will be asked to give information
as to the private car line methods are
the following: t~
George B. Robbins, Hinsdale. vice
president and general manager Of the
Armour car lines.
W. B. Jones, Chicago, assistant to Mr..
Robbins in the car line management.
Jesse p. Lyman former president OF
the National Packing company, and one
of those who on advice of counsel de-
clined to testify before the Interstate
commerce commission.
Herman CrOssn1an. general manager
of Streets Western Stable Car company.
whose concern leases cars to the pack
ers. Mr.. GrOssman, on advice of his
counsel, Attorney Levy Mayer, refused
to answer some questions before the in
terstate commerce commission.
Other witnesses who have been added
to the list of those now waiting to go on
the stand are. Samuel McRoberts, as
sistant treasurer for Armour g. Co, w.
H Frederick, railroad department of
Swift & Co; John M. Gray, a travelling
accountant for Armour & Co, who for
several years was head auditor In the
New York general office; Parker A
Jacobson, manager for Armour & Co.
at St.-Paul; John A. Bangs of Swift &
Co. at st. Paul; Henry B. -Boggs. de-
partment manager for Armour & Co,
Chicago; Victor H. Rohn. assistant
manager National Packing company.
Chicago; Edward Martin, manager
wholesale market for Cudahy Packing
company, South Oamha; J. Schaffer.
department manager for Cudahy Pack
ing company, Omaha, and Edward
Welch, manager Hammond Packing
Omaha.
Trust Trying to Fix Things.
The grand jury has returned an in
dictment against Thomas c. Corners.
general superintendent of Armour 6
Co, on charge of interfering with a
witness summoned to appear before the
jury now investigating the socal1ed beef
Afr fra fc II
Armour's most confidential employe
and active head of one of the largest
packing houses in the world, was ar
rested in a bench warrant by q United
States deputy marshal and brought to
the grand jury room, where he was re-
leased on $1,000 bond After his release
Mr.. Corners refused to discuss the mat
ter.
The indictment charges that John Ed
ward Shields of Brooklyn, a former
Of Armour e. CO., who testified
before the grand jury was approached
favored and entertained by Mr.. Con-
ners and specifically states, that on
March 25 the offense upon which Mr.
Corners was indicted occurred 1t is
also charged that Shields was given the
use Of Armour & Co.'S offices at 205 Ia
Sale street to transact his business
while in Chicago and also the use of q
private telegraph wire in the Office OF
the packing company.
Another allegation is that Shields was
by Corners and that Con-
ners suggested to the proposed witness
he should testify favorably to Armour
& Co and not to tell all that he Knew
the matter under investiga-.
ton The second count Of the indict-
ment charges that Mr.. Corners did not
limit his attempt at influencing witness
es to Mr.. Shield but that other wit
nesses who have not yet appeared in
have been approached by him
and attempts made to influence them
as to the nature of the testimony they
would give before the grand jury.
When the special grand jury con-
vened last week Shields was one Of
he first witnesses to appear. He
came to Chicago from New York. He
had testified before a grand jury in
New York, and there is ssSd to have
been divulged facts which led the fed
sraI officers to believe him in posses
sion of many other details concerning
he question under consideration He
was requested to come to Chicago, and
he federal officials were instructed to
watch the man closely
Two men were detailed to watch
Shields. One of these secret service
men obtained Shields confidence and
.hus learned facts which doubled the
precautions of the government to pre-
yent any Of the witnesses from being
coached Shields was followed by
hese detectives and it was learned
hat he frequently visited the offices Of
4 rrnour & Co. having a private wire
private correspondence there Every
move of Shields was closely watched
rhe matter reached a climax when
me of the men submitted a report to
lis superior. Shields was in the grand
ury room from to o'clock. The
ection of the statutes under which
he Indictment was drawn provides