The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-05-29
City News
BECHTEL GIVES
.... LIE TO DIR. FORCE
DRAMATIC SCENE ENACTED IN
INSURANCE TRIAL.
Former President of Company Gives
Evidence for State Directly Con-
trary to That Presented by Defen-
dant-One Says Salary Was $4,000,
the Other $4,000.

No trial in Hennepin county ever
had more dramatic CURTAIN than
that furnished by the state yesterday
just before the curtain was rung. down
on the last act of evidence taking in
the case of Dr.. Jacob F. Force, accused
OF embezzlement. from the insurance
company which he had nursed from in
fancy and of which he was vice presi-
dent and director.
The dramatic climax was reached
when the defense had unexpectedly
rested with the conclusion of DR..
Force s testimony and short examina-
ton of the former bookkeeper, H. l..
White. 1.-THE defense rests,'' said Mr..
Flannery. There was a short pause
and everyone looked toward the county
attorneys, who were in consultation.
Then Mr.. Dahl stood up and called:
"W. f. Bechtel.'
A hush fell like a pail on the audi
dent s name, and the effect Of the an
nouncement on the defense could not
have been more marked. DR.. Force
turned several shades paler and
clenched his hands, but did not turn
his head. Mr.. Flannery dropped his
pencil on the trial table and his robust
form seemed to grow limp, while Mr..
Keith and Mr.. Nye only exchanged sig
nlficant chances. Al j. Smith was busy
smile playing around his mouth. Mr..
looked for his witness. The court and
| jury and audience showed tense interest.
Bechtel on the Stand.
Mr.. Bechtel was not in the room, but
his attorney, Victor Welsh, said he
would find him, as he had been subpe-
| naed and must be near at hand. A short
recess was followed by the appearance
| OF the man upon whom so much de-
| pended. The former president appeared
the least excited Of anyone, and quietly
| took the oath and seated himself in the
witness stand. He rolled large black
for the questions. 5udge Brooks in
formed the witness that he could claim
his privilege Of refusing to answer
any questions that might tend to in
criminate him, and the witness bowed
/ slightly, but did not reply.
Then followed an examination in
which the former president contradicted
the statements of his former fellow Of
fetal, denied any knowledge of the back
salary upon which the Force defense is
based, and gave the lie to the most i'm
portant of the defendants testimony
The testimony revolutionized the issues
of the case and it was given in a fash
ion and under circumstances that car
ried more than ordinary conviction.
When he left the stand Mr.. Bechtel
passed close beside the defendant and
! looked directly at him, but not sign
of recognition was exchanged between
the former friends and fellow officials,
DR.. Force as Witness.
L.
witness chair for the sixth successive
session, yesterday afternoon. Mr.. Dahl
continued with his cross examination
of the witness. He showed the witness
other certificates Of Metropolitan bank
stock that he had transferred and on
the back of which the transfer was
recorded.
cates9' asked Mr.. Dahl.
Eyes, I knew
CHOW, doctor, you say that a part
of your duties as vice president wa.
to explain to policy holders about thu
consolidation. Did you ever explain
to any of them how much money 20,
were, getting out of that consolida
tions'
"No, [ thought not. Now why, DR.
Force, did you not draw that bacl
salary from the company before tn
consultations
cit was the same company, and af
ter the consolidation the expense fun
was much larger.'
"Then why didn't you draw it from
4 the expense funds'
ct think you III find I did,
| "By check9'
I "By that Stock
"Did you ever before draw salar
] in bank stock9'
! HNo, sir.'
The prosecutor then took up the mat
4 ter of the defendant g conversation
I with Mr.: Willis and Mr.. Austin rels
tive to the bank stock. The witnes
\ refused to change his version of thes
l talks.
! Expense Funds Status.
On redirect examination Mr.. Fla1
merry brought out that the expense fun
was always lowest at the last Of til
year, and made it appear by the wi
ness answers that the bank stock ha
been received by him when he though
the expense fund. was the largest {
the year, and after the consolidate
for the same reason. He also Shove
by the witness that he was in attent
ance at several directors meetings du
ing the period in 1901 and 1902, whe
the state intimated he had been pre-
ent at no meetings.
The redirect examination was ted
Gus in the extreme and was continual
interrupted by the close consultatio
of Attorneys Flannery, Keith and Ny
H. L. White. former bookkeeper
the insurance company and one of tt
state S witnesses, was the next witnes
called by the defense. He was aske
what was the balance in the expens
fund of the company on Feb. Fl, 100
and swore that it. was $15,859. @
cross-examination the witness state
that this balance was cash in the banl
and that salaries were always paid o,
Of it.
The defense then rested, and su
prise was sprung by the. state whe
Mr.. Dahl called "Mr. Bechtel." Y