Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-01
ACTION By THE COURT
GOvERNMENT'S MOTION IN POST
OFFICE CASE GRANTED.
Consolidation Of Indictments Against
George e. Green and willard D.
Doremus Ordered.


today granted the motion Of the govern
ment for the consolidation of the indict-
ments against former State Senator
George E. Green of Binghamton, N. Y,
and Willard D. Doremus Of this city,
charged jointly In one with bribery and
In the others with conspiracy in connec-
ton with the Irregularities in the Post
Office Department. The court also granted
the motion for a severance as to George
w. Beavers, now serving q term Of two
years In the penitentiary, indicted jointly
with Green and Doremus for conspiracy
to defraud the United States.
Less than two months ago George E.
Green was tried and acquitted in the local
court under another indictment charging
him with conspiring with George W.
Beavers to defraud the government.
Probably the most important witness
placed on the stand during the hearing of
testimony was former Postmaster Gen
eral Robert J. Wynne, consul general or
the United States to London. whose testi.
mony regarding the active interest OF
President Roosevelt in the settlement of
the post Office cases, and in particular tho
cases against Beavers. proved continu-
Gus storm center from the beginning to
Counsel for the defense this morning gave
notice of their desire to have Consul Cen
eral Wynne summoned to testify when the
cases against Green and Doremus- are
called
Opening Of the Trial.
BY agreement among counsel. reached late
this afternoon. Justice Gould set Monday,
May 81, as the probable date for opening
the trial Prior to the selection of the time
counsel for Green and Doremus presented
an affidavit asking for a continuance of the
case on the ground that Consul General
WINNIE is an important witness who should
ba dr. the nrOcpe0inRS to TESTIFY
on behalf of the defendant. United tSates
Attorney Baker informed the court that he
was not prepared to say whether the gov
eminent would summon Mr.. Wynne from
his London post. Mr.. Baker personally
wished to have Mr.. Wynne present. out ne
suggested that the consul general might
send an affidavit or that his deposition
might be taken.
It was by reason of the uncertainty OF
the course that the government Will elect
to follow that the date for the trial was
not definitely fixed.
Opening Of the Trial.
The affidavit presented by counsel for
the defense was in part as follows:
1.-THE defendants and counsel are In
formed and believe that said Robert J.
Wynne If present at the trial. would testify
that as to a certain order for 200 Doreuus
stamp canceIing machines. which were
purchased by the United States from the
Doremus Machine Company by the POST
Office Department, pursuant to an agree
ment in writing made in the month OF May
1902 said Robert j. Wynne, as assistant
postmaster general, himself directed said
purchase, and that he did this In pursuance
Of an Investigation conducted by himself.
"Also that at the time OF said investiga-
ton. and at the time said agreement was
entered into. and at the time said machines
were received and paid for under said con-
tract said Wynne, as the superior off1cer
of George W. Beavers placed no trust or
confidence in said Beavers. and did not In
any degree rely upon any information re-
cefved by him from said Beavers upon
any advice given him by said Beavers.
The defendants further expect to
prove by said Wynne that II any letter
agreeing to the purchase of said ma
chimes was prepared by or under the d.
rection of said Beavers. said Beavers III
SO doing acted under the direct instruc-
ton of said Robert J. Wynne. which In
struction was given after said Wynne
had personally and Independently made
the Investigation which resulted in his
determination to make such purchase.
Defense Opposes Consolidation.
The motions on behalf of the government
were made by United States Attorney
Baker and Mai. Holmes Conrad. special
counsel for the government in the post
office cases. Attorney A. s. Worthington
and former Senator John M. Thurston APP
peared for the defense. They offered no
objection to the motion for severance as to
Beavers. but opposed the consolidation Of
the bribery and conspiracy charges.
Mr.. Worthington could not understand,
he said why the time of the court and
jury should be taken up with the consid-
Grafton of the Indictment alleging conspir-
acy, when the bribery charge. according
to counsel, was the principal one in the
case, the other being of secondary impor-
lance only.
81 can't SEQ any detriment to the de-
PENDANTS to try these two cases together,
the court remarked, adding that ut has
always seemed to me that the advantage
Is with the defendant to combine two
charges and try them at once"
In view of these considerations the court
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