Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-09
Great Interest Manifested by
the General Public.
RECORDS INTRODUCED
DEFENSE REVIEWS OBJECTIONS TO
THE PAPERS SUBMITTED.
Testimony OF Capt. Andrew Parker
Regarding Certain Checks Drawn
by Mr.. Fields.

That great interest is being manifested in
| the trial Of Thomas 81. Fields, accused.
one OF the receivers of the Washington
| Beneficial Endowment Association. of the
| embezzlement of funds of the association
was attested by the large attendance in
| Criminal Court No. ! this morning when
| the hearing was resumed. Those occupying
seats in the court room included many MEM
| bers of the bar, who followed with keen in
| terest the testimony, which was dull from
the standpoint of the iayman The identih-
cation Of court records, other papers and
checks, singly and in bundles. consumed
much time. The defense renewed its objec-
ton to the introduction in evidence of any
paper. document or check that bore date
prior to the date of the enactment of the
code Of law OF the District of Columbia.
contention of the defense is that section S41
of the code. under which Mr.. Fields is in
dicted. does not apply to anything that oc-
CURED prior to the enactment of the code,
and should that view be finally upheld it
will mean the acQuittal of the defendant.
Justice Wright, In acting on Mr. Fields de-
murrer to the Indictment, has ruled against
the defendant on that point.
Introduction Of Testimony.
s. McComas Hawken was the first wit
ness to be called this forenoon. He is
of the District Supreme Court and began
his testimony yesterday afternoon. He
identified certain papers in connection with
the affairs of the endowment assnciation.
DR.. Young, secretary of the Washington
Beneficial Endowment Association. was the
next witness. He identified certain checks
drawn for large amounts. and indorsed by
Thomas M Fields and Andrew A. Lips
comb.
1.-The place of business of the endowment
| association said witness. was at 41D 10th
street northwest. this city
Walter A. Pinchback, the next witness.
identified the articles of Incorporation of
the association as filed in the office of the
recorder of deeds.
Attorney Baker for the defense objected
to the introduction Of the articles of In
corporation.
Judge Wright said 1t was against public
policy to carry public records about sthc
country and that, therefore, a certified
copy should be submitted
Counsel for the government offered to
furnish certified copy of the articles.
THAT. then. obviate the objection raised
by defense" said Judge Wright.
District Attorney Morgan H. Beach stated
that the government would be Obliged to
rest its case until the manuah labor OF
making copies of the articles of incorpofa-
ton had been performed.
Andrew Parker of the Washington Loan
and Trust Company called to Identify
certain certificates of deposit and the sig
natures thereon of Thomas M. Fields and
a.
Objection was raised by Attorney Baker
to the admission of the certificates as ey1-
dence.
Assistant J. Easily Smith explained that
the certificates were introduced to trace
the fund which Is alleged to have been en-
bezzled. $3.50 7'ft 80 30
Judge Wright thereupon overruIed the
objection, and exceptions were noted as to
each certificate introduced.
Checks Identified.
Checks drawn by Thomas NJ Fields for
Lipscomb & Fields were Identified in
patches by Mr.. Clark. ...
Objections noted liz each instance were
oyerruied by Judge Wright
Attorney Baker objected to the introduce
ton of these checks because they appeared
to be. he said. checks drawn by Thomas M
Fields for Lipscomb & Fields on different
dates and for different amounts.
The Indictment sets FORTH" added Mr..
Baker. 1.-The embezzlement of lump sun,
different dates"
The objection was overruled and excep-
ton noted.
The checks offered in evidence ranged In
amounts from $50 to $780, and were drawn
on different dates In 1903 and 1904
Mr.. Clark testified that on one occasion
after check had been paid by the Wash
ington Loan and Trust Company which
was signed Thomas M. Fields for Lips
comb & Ffelds.' he sent for Mr. Fields,
and informed him that it would be neces-
SaTy 10 nave MT. ILlpScOmD s signature to
such checks in the. future. Mr.. Fields
brought Mr.. Lipscomb to Mr. Clark's office
and he uipscomb) stated that the checks
as signed by Mr.. Fields were all right, and
were approved by him.
MI Lloyd j. Din was the next witness
He stated In answer to the inquiry of At
torney Easby-Smth that he was a book
Keeper for the Washington Loan and Trust
Company
Attorney Baker. for the defens objected
10 the ADMISSION OF certain certificates of
deposit because the dates showed they re-
lated to transactions before the code wen,
into effect. ,
The motion was overrued and exception
noted.
Identification Of Checks.
Mr.. Thomas Pope Ballnger, formerly OF
the West End National Bank was called
TO identify certain checks which were
handled by that bank. He produced the
musty old record books of that former
bank, and at the conclusion of his testi-
mony recesY was taken until 1870 o'clock
this afternoon. Before leaving the bench
Justice Wright cautioned the jurymen not
TO discuss the case with any person other
than members of the Jury
The crowd of spectators which had filed
the benches at the beginning Of the trial
In the morning had dwinded by noon to
mere corporals guard in size, owing to
the dry and statistical nature of the testl-
mony.
Mr.. Ecklof's Testimony.
John e.. Eckloff cashier of the Second
National Bank, at the beginning of the ses-
sion of the court this afternoon was called
as a witness by the prosecution. He testi-
fled that Fields had an account at the Sec
ond National Bank In 1902. but was unable
to say just when the account was closed
The witness also told OF handling certain
checks In which Fields was interested
Counsel for the defendant objected when
the prosecution offered In evidence a certi-
ned copy OF the articles of Incorporation of
the Washington Beneficial Endowment AS
ISOLATION. The admissibility of the copy
In evidence was argued at length Finally
the offer was withdra wn by the prosecu-
ton until certain records from the office OF
the recorder OF deeds could be procured.
Elliott H. Thompson, a bookkeeoer in
the employ Of the Washington Loan ana
Trust Company, next testified regarding
his handwriting in one of the ledgers OF
the company
W. II. ManRan hcoIxl1aarer