Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-01
FOR FURTHER HEARING
JAMES A. BACKUS HELD BY COM
MISSIONER TAYLOR.
Pleads Not Guilty to Charge of Rails
ing Money Orders-Bond
Required.

James A. Backus, arrested at the Ben
ming race track Wednesday on charge of
raising money orders, was given prelimi-
nary hearing today before United States
Commissioner Arson s. Taylor, and was
held In 5000 bond for another hearing
December I, at o'clock. Backus displayed
an unusual bravado before the commits
soner. and said that while he was charged
with crime, 1t would be long time be-
fore he would be convicted He pleaded
not guilty. and was returned to the jail In
charge of the detectives.
Backus came into the commissioners Of
fee without an attorney. and asked that
his hearing be postponed until he could
consult with counsel and prepare his de-
Tense Inspector Little endeavored to get
a confession from him relative to his asso-
ciation with the man named Gage who was
arrested In Baltimore wednesday on
similar charge. The post office officials say
they are confident that Backus and Gage
are members of q gang that has peen
operating all over the country.
Have you seen the newspapers since
YOUR arrest?' inquired Inspector Little of
the prisoner.
Backus admitted that he had not.
Does Not Know Gage.
Then you don't know that We got your
partner in Baltimore" continued the in
spector. Your friend Gage. who has been
working with you in this business ex-
planned the inspector You know Cage
Gage, Gage" repeated Backus, 81 never
heard of him." And all the inspector and
detectives could say did not bring one In
eliminating word from the prisoner. Not
withstanding this, the post office officials
are confident that the two men were work.
ing together, and Inspector Soranson ex-
poets to show this relation within the next
twenty-four hours.
Inspector Little, who made the arrest
had with him as evidence in the case the
money order which Backus is said to have
raised from 35 cents to 500, and cashed at
Lansburgh's store. To the naked eye the
order was perfect but with the aid OF
magnifying glass a slight stain could be
dscerned, where 1t appeared the original
writing has been erased. Over this had been
written In a bold, steady hand the word
fifty" and so excellent was the alteration
that 1t was as difficult of detection as
counterfeit gold certificate.
Buffalo Money Orders.
Inspector Little also had two orders is
sued by the Buffalo office for 40 cents and
35 cents, respectively, and from which all
the original writing. except the signature
of the postmaster, has been erased These
two exhibits demonstrated how perfect
the erasure could be made, and 1t was
only with the aid of the glass that the
slight stains could be distinguished.
These orders, the officials claim. had been
prepared for raising either by Backus or
another member of the gang with which
he is alleged TO be working. and all that
Backus had to do was to fill in any
amounts he thought he could get.
1T is rather hard on you, Backus, vol
unteered one of the detectives, by way~of
making conversation while Commissioner
Taylor made out the commitment papers.
Not so hard on me as on the folks. an
swered the prisoner Il guess 1t broke
UP their Thanksgiving"