Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-04
STAGE OF TRIAL
Hearing in George E. Green's
Case May End Tomorrow.
DEFENDANT FACING AN ISSUE
Decision Will Determine Future
Course in Matter.
RESTS WITH JUSTICE GOULD
Cutting Criticism of Counsel for the
Government-Shadow of Fate
Of Beavers.

The conclusion of the first stage of the
trial of former State Senator George 4.
Green of Binghamton. N. Y, before jury
of his peers in the Supreme Court of the
District of Columbia charges of con-
spring against the United States. finds
the defendant facing an issue upon the turn
of which hangs. in large measure. the
subsequent course in the case. The evil
dence which the legal representatives of
the government consider sufficient to justi-
fy verdict of guilty is before the jury.
Excepting subordinate testimony not in
tended to affect the principal features thus
far brought out, all the proof for the sup
port of the prosecution is at hand Upon
this the government proposes to ask the
court to instruct the jury to find George E.
Green guilty of conspiring with George W.
Beavers in the commission of a fraud
against the United States. Upon this also
the defense relies. at this stage of the pro-
ceedings. for acquittal
Before the line of evidence heretofore
mapped out to convince the court and jury
of the innocence of the accused Is revealed
on the witness stand even before the
twelve men in the jury box have been
formally addressed by the legal champions
sof the defendant. the court is asked to con-
slider the charge absolutely improved. to
direct the jury to return a verdict OF
acquittal.
Court Will Decide Tomorrow.
1t is Just at this point that the issue
rests. II Justice Gould tomorrow morning
announces decision In favor of the pend
Ing motion of counsel for the accused, the
trial will then and there be brought to a
conclusion, meaning victory for the de-
tense. Mr.. Green WILL in that event, be
free of the consolidated charges of con-
spring against the government, and of
consprlng to commit fraud against the
government, which have been hanging
over him for the past three years
On the other hand, ruling in favor or
the governments contention that the mo-
ton should not be allowed WILL of course
mean at best for the defense a prolonga-
ton OF the stubborn legal fight.
What steps the attorneys for Mr. Green
VIII take In that case are known only to
those Immediately concerned in the de-
tense. 1t Is presumed that witnesses will
then be introduced in behalf of the de-
PENDANT. but different course it has been
suggested, may be pursued Should counsel
feel entirely secure In the legal position IN
which they are now entrenched, IT is limited
that they may be content, without further
prolonging the trial, to carry the issue to
the higher courts.
An Interesting Possibility.
Should the burden of further proof be
laid upon the defense an interesting possi-
bility would arise, that of the testimony or
the defendant in his own behalf. Nothing
In the trial thus far has occurred to sug-
gest whether Or not this Is a proba biIity.
Though in a sense the central figure in the
notable chapter OF events, each succeeding
part of which is Of intense interest to him,
Green has perforce remained silent fac
tor, save for his brief utterances at the ar
raigpment, throughout the trial. Since he
stood before the bar and answered mot
guilty" in clear, distinct tone at the
opening of the proceedings, nearly two
weeks ago, his voice has not been heard
during the sessions of the court except in
whispered conversation with friends. His
appearance as witness to explain away
what the government considers 1.-The deadly
parallel between his own financial trans
actions and those of George W. Beavers
would certainly add great interest TO the
trial.
Each day In court the defendant has
been the object Of curious scrutiny on the
part of the spectators. He has appeared
to be Indifferent to 1t all. Whether the
gaze of strangers has been friendly or un-
sympathetic has appeared not to concern
him particularly. 1t is to be remembered
that Mr.. Green Is man Of public affairs
His political career has brought him in
touch with crowds, and he has acquired
that poise and self-control under public OBJ
servation which comes to men of such ex-
perience
Defendant Apparently Unmoved.
But while the defendant has apparently
been unmoved by the attention OF the spec
tators in the court room he has been visibly
affected by the various turns of the trial.
Under the cutting criticism of counsel for
the government he has shown evidences of
embarrassment, while exhibiting intense
satisfaction at every point scored by his
own counsel. The defendant seemed to
vince under the undisguised scorn of Mai
Conrad's words in reading to the jury
Green's letter to the then first assistant
postmaster general. advocating the ap-
pointment or Beavers as a man of immacu-
late character, of reputation above re-
proach and ability fitting him for almost
any post of honor.
The defendant while In court sits close
to his attorneys, with whom he frequently
eonfers regarding the evidence. One Of
his characteristic attitudes Is that of sit
making calculations on the financial trans
actions in which the government attempts
to show the evidence of fraud.
Shadow of Beavers Fate.
The shadow of the fate of George w.
Beavers has seemed to depress Green from
the beginning of the trial. When he stood
before the bar and pleaded not guilty he
was well aware that Beavers had stood
there only a few days before. confessing
his crime. and had gone to the peniten-
tiary. Every day since the trial began the
acts of Beavers have been before the court
in testimony and argument as frequently
as the alleged acts of Green. Always their
names have been coupled. while to show
that the government erred In the infer
ences and deductions announced to the
court and jury has been the constant aim
of the defense
At times when the proceedings settle
down to a dull routine, the defendant
seems toSrelax his vigilant interest. While
his gaze wanders to the ceiling he seems
lost In reflection. Mr. Green shows
hearty interest in the companionship of his
friends, who generally gather around him
for friendly chats at the conclusion of
each session of the court.
PLAYFUL TRICK COST A LIFE.