The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-24
BURTON ON STAND.
Senator Testifies in His Own Be-
half Today.
Emphasizes Contention That He
Was Hired in Illinois.
HIS TALK WITH HARLAN
Told Him He Wouldn't Appear in
Department.
Given to Understand 1t Wouldn't
Be Necessary.
REFUTES MIR. COCHRAN.
Only Inquired Casually About
the Investigation.
Said He Didn't Intend to ADDear
as Attorney.
Evidence Is Completed Before
the Noon Adjournment.
REFUTES MR.. COCHRAN
Only Inquired Casually About
the Investigation.
Said He Didn't Intend to Appear
as Attorney.
Evidence Is Completed Before
the Noon Adjournment.

st. Louis, Mo. Nov. 24-The defense
in the case OF United States Senator ].
Ralph Burton Of Kansas continued the
Introduction Of evidence today
From a statement made by Attorney
Lehman, leading counsel for the de-
tense, that he would finish the introduc-
uon Of evidence today. it is believed that
the case viii 90 to the jury by tomor-
row at the latest. Few witnesses have
been summoned by Senator Burton and
il is expected that he will be the prin-
cipal witness in his own behalf.
For the first time since the case went
to trial the general public evidenced in
terest in the proceedings and a large
crowd was present when court con-
vened today.
Before any testimony was introduced
Judge Van Devanter delivered an Opin-
ion i'm which he held that the defense
would be permitted to introduce evi-
dence to which an objection was sus-
tanned yesterday for the purpose of
showing that the pOstoffice inspectors
mad communicated to the Rialto Grain
and Securities company at a time prev
1ous to the employment of Senator Bur
Ion by the RialtO company, that the iu-
VestigatiOn had not shown the necessity
for the issuance Of fraud order
Under this ruling Postof1ce In
spector n. g. Price was recalled by the
defense.
Mr.. Price testified that he had made
report to his superior. Inspector Dice,
that the condition of the RialtO com
pany was not such that a fraud order
was necessary, but said he did not re-
member telling any one connected
with the RialtO company anything to
that effect.
Burton on the Stand
Ca77ato7- E3rTwtor7 rr-og 4f,ar, -,1Io7 H.,
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 counseIs questions beginning his
replies before the completion of the in
terrOgatiOn.
The senator's s testimony in begin
ming followed closely that given in the
former trial with the exception that in
describing his conversation with
Thomas B. Harlan in regard to what
the latter has already testified, Sena-
tor Burton laid special stress upon the
fact that before the conversation re
Iating to his employment by the RfaIto
company was started, the train on
Louis to Chicago. had crossed the Mis-
sissippi and was in Illinois, outside the
jurisdiction Of the court before which
the case is being tried.
EAAs ~ afluuG 10 Harlan.
Senator Burton testified that during
his conversation with Harlan, who was
the representative OF the Rialto com
pany. he (Burton) used the following
words in connection with his proposed
employment.
Now, Mr.. Harlan, let me understand
YOU I am senator. This company is
using the mails extensively. Is it con
templated i'm any way that / am expect
ed to use any influence in the depart
ment directly or Indirectly" His an
EWer was very emphatic. He said:
NO, senator. we do not want any in
huence in the department.
I'm referring to the compensation Of
fered by the Rialto company in connec-
tiOu with his employment as counsel to
appear in the defense of its president
Major Dennis, Senator B1rton said:
II told him that 7 did not want to
enter a case of that kind as counsel for
a rich firm for nominal fee of $500 OF
5000 and suggested a contract of $500
month for five months.
when received the letter notifying
me of my appointment by the Rialto
company I went down to see Chief Post
office Inspector Cochran and inquired
regarding complaints, because I was
naturally anxious to learn the standing
of the concern with which I was to be
Identified"
What he Told Cochran.
senator Burton testified that Cochran
replied that there were two complaints
II then told Cochran that I had been
led to believe that the complaints grew
ont of the operations of a former con-
Germ, and that had been assured that
the RlaltO company was all right.
then inquired casually about procedure
SIN cases Of investigating. telling Coch-
ran that I had no intention of appear
ing as the company's attorney and that
the questions were prompted by a de-
sire to ascertain what to avoid i'm my
dealings with the department.
senator Burton testified to the visit
paid to Washington by Attorney Har-
Ian and declared the object of the meet
ing was entirely a discussion of the in
dlctments which were threatened
against Major Dennis. He said their
whole conversation was on that sub
ject.
In regard to the visit paid to the post
office department by himself and Dennis
Senator Burton said that it was pure
ly unprecedented as when driving past
the building Major Dennis Incurred
what building it was and that he sug-
gested that they 90 in, and that in
passing the door of the chief postofice
inspectors room they saw BIr Cochran n
snd that he (Burtonl introduced Major
Dennis. with some joking remarks. The