Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-23
IN WALL STREET CRISIS
Found Himself Reduced From Million
aire to Poverty.
A VICTIM OF A CONSPIRACY
Baltimorean Who Declined to "Put
Up" to Testify-Town Topics Stock
for Collateral
Special Dispatch to The star.

Special Dispatch to The Star
NEW YORK. January 23.--Col William
Dalton Mann was again the first witness
called this morning in the trial of Norman
Hapgood. editor of Golfers Weekly. on a
charge of criminally libeiing Justice Joseph
NJ. Deuel..
Bernard F. Baker of Baltimore was pres
ent. and expected to testify later in
the day. He is one OF Justice Deuers
famous "Davy Crockett coons" that didn't
come down when the gun was pointed at
them.
District Attorney Jerome began his ex
animation of Col. Mann by asking him
about copy in Town Topics furnished for
use in court from which a leaf had been
torn.
Then he asked him about his relations
with Mr.. Baker of Baltimore. Col. Mann
declared fiercely that he had not had any
interviews with anybody to stories relat-
ing to MIR. Bakers family.
Then the district attorney asked IL there
had been any negotiations in regard TO
Town Topics stock.
II did invite him to take some of the
stock. 1 think, in 1885," said Col. Mann.
''but he declined. He was very polite about
it. He said he didn't wish to invest in the
In explanation OF the Vanderbilt loan of
s25, 900, the colonel delivered himself of
long speech. He told first how a Wall
street conspiracy had. in 1878. left him
without a dollar and 800 600 in debt
Then" continued Col. Mann, Il natur-
ally conferred with the men | knew
How He Got His Start.
DR.. Seward Webb. w. X. Vanderbilt ana
others made loans to the colonel. In the
course of a few years later he had an
opportunity to purchase an interest IN
Town Topics. Then he arranged the loan
from Mr.. w. X. Vanderbilt.
II gave him the best security 1 had"
confded the colonel.
Town Topics" said he. twas still strug
Cling" so the affable colonel asked Mr..
Vanderbilt for good tip so he mignt
In one good turn" get out OF debt.
81 will keep you in mind" promised Mr..
Vanderbilt, according to the colonel.
Mann told his benefactor that the Town
Topics stock wouldn't be accepted as collat-
eraI around the city, but Mr.. Vanderbilt
was agreeable. Then Mr.. Vanderbilt re-
turned the stock. notes and all, with the
hope that the colonel would have no diff
Guilty in getting money from some other
good friend"
Got Money Without Security.
Mr. Jerome asked the witness how 1t hap
pened that he had been able to borrow so
much money without security.
"I can't go into an Office and borrow
money without security. On its face II
looks as though there must have been some
reason in your case What reason was
there?" asked Mr.. Jerome Take the case
of Thomas F. Ryan
II was at the house OF Mr.. W. c. Whit
ney" explained the colonel. "a gentleman
came in whom Mr.. Whitney introduced as
Mr.. Ryan. He said to him, Mr.. Mann is a
gentleman and an honest man, and IL he
wants any money you viii be safe in letting
him have it, l didn't see Mr.. Ryan again
| till l needed money / offered him stock in
Town Topics. He said he would take the
matter into consideration. Next day
called on Mr.. Ryan. He said: I don't want
those shares They're all right, but 1 don't
want them. Be kind enough to give me
your note and you shall have the money. ="