Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-11-24
Answered All Questions Appar-
entity Without Hesitation or
Forethought.
INSPECTOR COCHRAN TALKS.
Told Him Under no Circum.
stance Would He Appear Be.
fore P. 0. Department.
Vie Had no Intention OF Influencing
Any Postal or Other Govern
mcnt Official.

ST Louis, Nov 2i.--U. S. Senator ],
p. Burton Of Kansas, went on the stand
IN his own defense today in his trial on
the indictment charging him with hav-
ing acted IN the capacity of paid at.
torney for the Rialto Grain & Securi-
ties company before the postofice de-
partment, He emphasized that the con-
ference arranged for his employment by
the Rlalto company took place on ILL.,
moi. soil, In a train, beyond the jurls-
distlon of this court; declared he could
not remember the conversation testified
10 by Charles II. Brooks yesterday
which was a distinct point for the pros
eeution and related in detail his talks
with Chief Postofiice Inspector Cochran
IN which he told Cochran he expected to
act as attorney for the Riato conf
pany.
He was cross examined for almost an
hour, but did not lose his calm, appar-
emily firm bearing and replied to all
questions without visible excitement.
The defense In the case Of United
ETdttH Stldl'l ~. hdlll ifhi WI " nan
sas continued the Introduction of evil
dence today
From a statement made by Atty.
Lehman, leading counsel for the de-
Tense, that he would finish the intro
duction OF evidence today, IL Is be-
lieved that the case will go TO the
jury by tomorrow at the latest. Few
witnesses have been summoned by
Senator Burton. and il Is expected
that he win be the principal witness In
his own behalf.
For the first time since the case went
10 trial the general public evlnced in
terest in the proceedings and large
crowd was present when court con-
vened today.
Before any testimony was introduced
Judge Vandeyenter delivered an opiu
ion In which he held that the defense
would b. permitted TO introduce evil
dence TO which an objection was sus
tanned yesterday for the purpose of
showing that the postofiict Inspectors
had communicated to the Bialt1 Grain
g. Saceruties at a time previous TO the
the Rialto company, that the invcs-
tigation had not shown the necessity
for the issuance OF fraud order
Under this ruling postotiice inspec-
TOR NJ, q. Price was recalled by the
defense.
Mr. Price testified that he had made
report 10 his superior, Inspector
Dice, that the condition OF the Rialto
company was not such that a fraud
order was necessary but said he did not
remember telling any one connected
with the Rialto company anything to
that effect.
SENATOR BURTON CALLED.
Senator Burton was then called to
the stand. He was sworn and seated
himself in the witness chair. leaning
slightly forward and answering all
questions in a clear distinct voice and
apparently without hesitation or fore
thought He frequently anticipated his
counsels questions beginning his re-
plies before the completion Of the in
terrogation.
The senator's testimony i'm the be-
ginning followed closely that given i'm
the former trial. with the exception
that In describing his conversation
with Thomas b. Harlan In regard to
what the latter has already testified,
Senator Burton laid special stress up
on the fact that before the conversation
relating to his employment by the
Rialto company was started, the train
in which they We're en- route from st.
Louis to Chicago, had crossed the Mis-
slssipp and was In Illinois, outside the
jurisdiction OF the court before which
the case IL being tried.
CONVERSATION WITH HARLAN.
Senator Burton testified that during
his conversation with Harlan. who was
the representative OF the Rialto COM
pany he (Burton) used the following
Ia ,,stt 10 a
employment:
Now, Mr. Harlan. let me under
stand YOU. | am senator This COM
pany Is using the mails extensively. Is
IL contemplated in any way that | am
expected to use any influence In the
department, directly or indirectly His
answer was very emphatic. lie said:
NO, senator, We do not want any
influence in the department
In referring to the compensation Of
fered by the Ralto company in connec-
tion with his employment as counsel to
appear In the defense OF It's president,
Mai. Dennis, Senator Burton said
Il told him that | did not want to
enter case OF that kind as counsel for
rich frm for nominal fee Of $500 or
$500 and suggested a contract OF $500 a
month for five months.
TALK WITH COCHRAN.
When received the letter notifying
me Of my appointment by the Rialto
company ] went down to see Chief
Postofflce Inspector Cochran and in
qulred regarding complaints, because I
was naturally anxious TO learn the
standing OF the concern with which /
was to be identified"
Senator Burton testified that Cochran
replied that II ere were two complaints.
Il then told Cochran that had been
led to believe that the complaints grew
out of the operations OF former con-
Germ, and that had been assured that
the Rialto company was all rlght.
then Inquired casually about procedure
in cases of INVESTIGATION, telling Coch-
ran that had an intention OF appear
ing as the companys attorney and that
the questions were prompted by a de-
ere 10 ascertain what to avoid In my
dealings with the department"
Senator Burton testified that the visit
paid TO Washington by ATTY. Harlan
and declared the object Of the meeting
was entirely discussion Of the indict-
mania uhInh xrara thrQn tanar against