Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-22
BURTON TRIAL SHORT
---.
Rapid Progress is Being Made
at st. Louis.
MUCH TIME Is SAVED
CASE LIKELY TO GO TO THE JURY
ON SATURDAY.
Former Attorney for Rialto Company
on Witness Stand Today-oues-
lions Of Compensation.

ST. LOUIS. No.. November 22-Rapid
progress has been made In the trial of
United States Senator Burton OF Kansas,
charged with rendering services as an at
torney before the Post ONCE Department
at Washington. III violation of the federal
statutes and ii now appears probable the
case Will go to the jury not later than
Saturday.
The government has taken several short
cuts in its presentation of testimony. and
Judge Vandevanter has saved time by his
sharp. decisive rulings and his admoni-
tons to counsel to confine themselves
strictly to the matters at issue.
When court opened today Judge Van
devanter announced that he oyerruled the
oooection made by the government late
yesterday afternoon to certain questions
asked by counsel for the defense In the
cross discrimination OF Witness Thomas B.
Harian. former attorney for the Rfalto
Grain and Securities Company. who was
placed on the stand by the prosecution.
Harlan Witness.
AT Senator Buttons former trial Har-
Ian was witness for the defense. and
the object of Attorney Lehmann's cross
examination was to bring out the testi-
mony ELECTED from Mr. Harlan at the
former trial. when witness for the de-
Tense. Attorney Lehman took IN the
letters written by Harlan to Senator Bur
ton, accepting the latter's proposition to
act as attorney for the Rialto company
Tor salary of $500 a month, which was
lntroauced Yesterday. and questioned the
to the writing of the letter.
fhis was the point on which the govern
nent based its objections.
MT Harlan described his first meeting
with Senator Burton on November IL, 1902.
As Senator Burton had little time at his
disposal. witness proposed to accompany
the senator to Chicago and talk over mat
cepted.
Witness said he described to Senator Bur-
ton the legal difficulties in which the Rial
to company was involved through the ami
mostly OF former business partner Of
Major Dennis. president of the Rialto COM
pany. who the witness declared had caused
the institution OF fifteen civil suits. twenty
libel suits and the probability Of about
two hundred other cases. and that 1t was
probable indictments might be returned by
the federal grand jury against Major Den
mis-.
Burton Suggested as Head.
According to the witness the CONVERSE
ton then branched OF to railroads, and he
explained that the Rialto company project
ed new securities department. and sug-
gested that Burton could act as the head
of this, being in position. as the director
In q railroad board and having other finan-
cfal interests, to Investigate thoroughly
and keep in touch with the securities In
which it was proposed to deal.
In recalling this conversation with Sen
ator Burton. Mr. Harlan said;
= He said {meaaing Senator sBuTtonA. Now..
you must ramenber I am a United States
senator. am not going to do anything In
consistent with nay duty as a United States
senator
81 assured Senator Burton that I didn't
want him under any circumstances to do
anything inconsistent with his position as
United States senator l was just as posi-
tive in my sta tement he was in declara
ton as far as that matter was concerned.
Compensation Discussed.
up to this time nothing had been said
about compensation. He had not even indi
Gated, to the best of my recollection. wheth-
err he would or would not become counsel.
Il brought up the question of compensa-
ton. 1 explained to Senator Burton that J.
did not feel that / had any authority to
close any contract, but / would take the
whole thing into consideration and report
back to my company when returned to st.
Louis. Senator Burton said he would serve
as counsel for $500 month. That struck
me as being reasonable, so much so that
did not dissent to 1t, all things considered.
And he said:
"tOf course. 1 don't want to get cut off
at the end of one month. l don't want to
go down there to st. Louis and try or help
you in the trial of that case, should there
be an indictment, and have my salary cut
off at the end Of that month So one or the
other Of US, / don't remember which one
or us, suggested five months At any rate,
whoever suggested 1t, that was acceptable"