Weekly Arizona journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1903-1908, 1905-02-15


the strikers having no such plans.
ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. lids
patches received here from Warsaw are
to the effect that a serious situation
there is spprehended. The fact is that
the situation throughout Poland is
causing grave fears.
hHAROFF, Feb. 11.-Four thous-
and employees of the railway engine
works have struck
PORTLAND, Ore, Feb. 1.-THE
climax was reached today in the land
fraud cases when Judge Albert Tan
ner, indicted on February sth for the
crime of perjury in regard to the date
OF contract of copartnership nth
Senator Mitchell, went before the fed
eral court aud entered plea of gull
ty.
The scene was dramatic, impressive
and sorrowful. Tanner, whose indict-
ment came as sudden blow to the
public short time ago, entered the
court, haggard, and worn, bowed as
from weight of years.
He was accompanied by his son and
Harry Robertson, private secretary of
Mitchell.
On January 3lst, Tanner testified
that there had been an agreement
made between himself and Mitchell
by which the senator was not to re-
ceive any return from the firm work
done, which would lead him to either
of the departments of the government
and that this agreement was made on
March 8, 1901.
He introduced this agreement in
evidence before the jury and swore
that it was written on the date speci-
fed. The government was in posses
sion Of evidence at the time which
varied with Tanners testimony, and
Tanner and his son we're indicted by
the grand jury. Neither indictment
was made public.
Tanner maintained his position on
the matter for several days, but when
he learned the nature of the testimony
which Mitchell's secretary, Robertson.
intended to give, he yielded and went
on the witness stand. When Tanner
went on the witness stand today be
was handed the original document
and was asked when it was written.
cit was in December last. j." Tanner
replied. Then he stated the circum-
stances when it was drawn up. He
said that Mitchell in looking over the
old contract thought there was a
clause IN it which ought to be changed
as it might cause him trouble, so he
drew up a new clause and both signed
it.
The new agreement contained a
clause not contained in the original,
providing that all money received in
payment of services rendered before
the government departments should go
to Tanner.
Tanners son, Albert H. Tanner,
jr., testified that he drew up the new
agreement on the tpye writer, as de-
scribed by his father, Judge Tanner,
later stated in an interview that he
had suffered tortures since giving his
original testimony. The last straw
came when he learned of the indict-
ment of his son. He said he expected
to be called as witness to testify
against Senator Mitchell and would
tell the whole truth regardless OF
consequences.
PORTLAND, Ore, Feb. l1.-Fol-
lowing close upon the sensational
testimony of Senator Mitchell's law
partner, Judge Tanner, and of Harry
Robertson. MitcheIl's private secre-
tary, today came the announcement
that the federal grand jury had Ie-
| turned an indictment against Con
gresham John r. Williamson, DR..
Van Gessney, Williamson's partner in
the sheep raising business. and Mari
on K. Briggs, United States land
commissioner at PrinevilIe, Oregon.
The indictment alleges that the ac-
/ cused persons entered into consplra-
cy to obtain one hundred persons tc
file applications for public lands in
Crook county, Oregon, and to swear
that the land was for their own use
when, according to the indictment il
was for the benefit of the firm of Van
Gessner and Williamson, who desired
the lands for sheep grazing.
| WASHINGTON, Feb. l1.-As an
outgrowth of the General Slocum di-
saster the house today passed num-
Der of bills called up by Grosvener,
chairman of the house committee on
marine and fisheries. amending the
laws relating to steam boat inspection
service and making it far more rigid
and provision for the regulation and
control of steam vessels.
An amendment to it recommended
by the department of commerce and
labor was sent to the house in the
form of eight bills. Six of these we're