The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-02-12
in bad plight
Mtcihell'S Prrtner Shows
White Feather. I
13) So 4
SENSATIONAL STORY
Son OF Partner is :Unable. to
Garry the Burded Of the
Perjury.
WAGES OFF SIN ExEMpLlflED
Statement Of Case Dates From its
inception and the Grand Jury Hss
Only 10 Pick the Victims for
the Slaughter.

Portland, Feb. ii.--Judge Alfred II.
Tanner. one or the most prominent at
torneys Of Portland. and law partner
OF Senator John II. Mitchell, recently
indicted by the federal grand jury for
perjury In connection with the land
fraud cases, made full confession in
Judge Bellinger's court at 1850 p. m.
today.
Judge Tanner admitted that the
partnership agreement which he fur
nished the grand jury when testifying
for Senator Mitchell. was made up
within the past three months and dated
back TO March 9. 1901. He says fur
ther that this wis done t. prevert
Mitchell from being caught on the in.
dlctment later presented. or receiving
money for illegal fees while United
States senator when. as fact, all fees
received from government department
work were to 80 to Mitchell. Judge
Tanner and his son aided In formulate
ing this agreement, and then the two
went before the grand Jury swearing
to falsehoods to shield the aged SEN
ator in his struggle with the govern
ment's prosecuting officers.
The confession came as q bomb to
the community although not TO the
governments principal officials. Dis.
trict Attorney Francis J. Heney and
Chief OF the Secret Service Force w,
]. Burns, In the indictment presented
by the grand jury against Judge Tan
ner for perjury, the government plain
iy charged him with conspiring to pro.
tect his partner. He was accused Of
having aided in preparing this agree
ment within the past three months at
nis own Office and through the instru-
mentality OF his son, A. II. Tanner. Jr,
He was also accused OF knowing that
Senator Mitchell received as his share
of the profits In the firm business,
portion Of the money paid by Frederick
a. Kribs TO have cases expedited be-
fore Hermann. Further. the accused
was charged with knowing that Sen,
ator Mitchell had a personal account
In the Merchants National bank. A
list OF to 10 witnesses was affixed to
the indictment containing these
charges. The government plainly In
dicated its case and the officials con-
nected with the prosecution expressed
no doubt Of conviction.
The story OF this case dates from
the early investigation of land frauds
by the present grand jury. when SEN
ator Mitchell realized a force that
ranked John H. Hall had entered the
field OF inquiry, he arranged to fore
stall the charge Of receiving money
from any source laying him open to
indictment under the statutes regulat-
ing senator's and representatives in
The partnership agreement
was then framed, and in 1t provision
was made showing that Senator Mitch
ell expressly provided against any de-
partment business going to his per-
sonal account. This agreement was
submitted by Judge Tanner when he
was first called to testify,
The document bears the date of
March 5, 1901. and is signed by the
two lawyers. as principals. and Harry |
G. Robertson. witness. Mr.. Robertson
Is private secretary to Senator Mitchell
and has been in the Mitchell Tanner
law office for many years. Judge Tan
ner affirmed that this document was
made and executed at the time indi-
Gated. His son was called by the
u. y - ~