Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-05
Mr., WYNNE A WITNESS
Consul General Testifies in
Green-D0remus Case.
CALLED BY GOVERNMENT
Bias on Part of Former Postmaster
General Alleged.
HEATED ARGUMENT BY COUNSEL
Jury Sent Out Of Court Room-Was
Beavers Persuaded to Plead
GuiltyP
CALLED BY GOVERNMENT
HEATED ARGUMENT BY COUNSEL

Consul General Robert ]. Wynne of Lon
don, formerly Postmastxer General of the
United States, was the principal witness to-
day In the trial of George E. Green and
Willard d. Doremus in Criminal Court No.
/, under consolidated indictments alleging
bribery and conspiracy in connection with
the postal irregularities. Though Mr..
Wynne was summoned from his foreign
post at the request of counsel for the de-
fense. he was called to the stand by the
government.
Mr.. Wynne's direct examination, which
was brief, related to his connection with
transactions involving the purchase of
Doremus canceling machines, and was
devoid of any feature out of the ordi-
nary. But under cross-examination, con-
Quoted by Mr.. Worthington, the question
OF bias and prejudice on the part of the
witness against the defendants arose, and
lengthy and heated argument between
counsel developed Before the discus
sion on this point was fully gone into
Justice Gould directed the jury to retire.
Claim Of the Defense.
Counsel for the defense claimed that evi-
dence should go to the Jury tending to show
that Consul General Wynne had persuaded
indictment In which he and Green were
Jointly charged with conspiracy to defraud
the United States. Mr.. Worthington as
serted that Mr.. Wynne had induced Beavers
to plead guilty in that particular case for
the purpose of influencing the jury against
the co-defendant. Green Counsel asserted
that in effect Mr.. Wynne had said to Beav-
ers;
IF you will come down there and help
us to convict that man Green In the COM
off In oil of "a
other cases against you"
Against the Proposition.
Maj. Holmes Conrad. special counsel for
the government In the post Office cases,
Joined the United States attorney In argu-
ments against the proposition advanced by
the defense. Counsel for the government
claimed that there was nothing in the case
to show that Consul General wynne had
been Influenced by any motive of hostility
toward either of the defendants.
justice Gould, at the conclusion of the
arguments, ruled to allow the questions in
dispute on the ground that such evidence.
II II could be adduced would be proper
for the jury to consider as bearing upon
the contention of bias and prejudice.
Mr.. Masten Resumes.
John NJ. Masten, formerly chief clerk In
the Office of the first assistant postmaster
general. resumed his testimony this morn
ing, under cross-examination by Mr.. Worth
ington. The witness was closely questioned
as to his testimony given yesterday. when
ne contradicted the statement made last
Friday on the witness stand by H CLAYTON
Graft, formerly department inspector OF
canceilng machines. to the effect that Mr..
Masten was present at a certain interview
between George w. Beavers and George f.
Green In the Office of the superintendent of
the division of salaries and allowances,
Post once Department. When Mr.. Masten
was asked yesterday about his alleged pres-
ence at the interview In question he denied
that he had been there and said that his at
tention had already been called to the testi-
mony given by Mr.. Graf. On being further
questioned the witness said he had seen an
account of the testimony in a newspaper.
The witness this morning was asked to
state definitely where he had seen the re-
port. and when he mentioned a certain pa
per OF was handed to him with the request
that he point out the statements from
which he said he gained his Information.
Said He Was Misunderstood.
After perusing the paper, apparently with
out discovering what he was seeking, the
witness said he thought Mr.. worthington
had misunderstood him. His previous tes-
timony on that point was read without
being questioned by the witness, who then
stated:
II now say that intended to say that
I knew of Mr.. CRAFTS testimony by seeing
a newspaper account of II, and my atten-
ton was also called to his testimony by
some person whose name do not now re-
call"
Are you sure that 1t was not one of the
inspectors or anybody around the district
attorneys officer Mr.. Worthington asked
1T may have been. am not certain
about it," was the reply.
Continuing his testimony under cross-ex-
animation, the witness declared that his
relations with Beavers while both were en-
ployed in the department were strained.
He declared he would not trust Beavers any
farther than he could see him. Mr.. Worth
ington asked II the witness had communi-
Gated his suspicious of Beavers to the first
assistant postmaster general, but the ques-
ton was stricken out on motion of counsel
for the government.
Mission During Trip.
Mr.. Worthington then questioned the
witness concerning his mission during a
certain trip he had taken to Rush. Pa.
about a year after he had left the office of
the first assistant postmaster general.
Counsel for the government objected, but
the examination. with certain restrictions,
was allowed by the court when counsel for
the defense explained that the purpose was
to show bias and prejudice on the part
OF the witness against the defendants. 1T.
Masten said he had been under verbal In
structions from the first assistant post
master general when he made the journey.
being detailed from the railway mail serv
ice for the duty He testified his service
while on the trip was In connection with
procuring evidence In relation to the post
Office cases.
Result of Search.
H Clayton Graf was recalled by the gov
ernment to testify concerning the result of
his search Yesterday In the files of the Post