The Washington herald., 1906-11-13
MUTUAL TRIALS ON
Defendants Fail to Appear in
Criminal Term.
JEROME DENIES GIVING AID
Former Justice Hatch Argues for
Dismissal of indictments Against
and Periury-COuFt Reserves De-
cisiOn-Grannis Case Adjourned.

New York, Nov 12-Dr Walter R. Gil
lette, one of the first vice presidents OF
the Mutual Life Insurance Company. to-
day began his fight to have dismissed the
indictments against him for perjury and
! forgery.
II transpired that when DR.. Gillette
went before the grand jury, where he is
accused OF having committed perjury
he did not know that Andrew c. Field
the MutuaTs confidential legislative agent
has eonfided to Mr.. Jerome all he knew
about Mutual affairs.
At first, DR.. Gillette said that an ac-
count of 5000 which he had in Fields
bank at Dobbs Ferry was his own per
sonaI account. but when questioned close
~ told Mr. Jerome that he was glad il
t, had been brought up, as he had been try
ing to find a way OF getting the money
back TO the Mutual. where it belonged.
The 5000 was part of the so-caIled vel
low dog" fund
Who Betrayed Gillette.
Dr. Gillette told the grand jury that he
had been advised not to say anything
about the account. and in combating the
argument Of ex-Justice Edward W.
Hatch. counsel for Gillette. that the latter
could not have committed perjury before
the grand jury. Mr.. Jerome declared that
II was only through fear or penitence that
Mr.. Field admitted the real meaning of
the account. The district attorney re-
fused to say who betrayed Dr. Gillette.
Dr. Gillette. who was not in
the Supreme Court criminal branch
fwhere the argument was heard
before Justice Greenbaum, was
represented by eN-Judge Hatch and Solo
mon Hanford. his attorney.
The argument was made by the former.
who contended that as Dr.. Gillette had
told the truth before ne left the grand
jury room and. therefore, did not COM
nit perjury, the Indictment was defect
i've. Justice GreenbaUm reversed the de-
cision. Briefs We're submitted on the FIVE
indictments against DIT. Gillette for fOrg-
cry in the third degree.
The hearing I'm the case Of Robert A.
Grannis. indicted for forgery in the third
degree. was adjourned until next Mon
day. Mr. Grannis was not in court.
Jerome Denies Aiding Mutual.
District Attorney Jerome vigorously de-
MED that he was protecting those desir-
ing to retain control of the Mutual Life
Insurance Company.
The charge was based on his letter to
Judge Herrick, in which Mr.. Jerome re-
fused 10 take up the case Of coercion
made against President Peabody at this
time. although he said he was inclined 10
believe the charge came under a section
of the peaal code.
sir. jerome said In this letter that in
asmuch as All opposite view had been
taken of the law. and as there was also
a conflict upon the facts, he did not
think he should act on the matter until
after the election Of the trustees in De-
cember. He pointed out, however that
pthe committee of policy holders could if
it wished. go into q magistrates court
itself
The COmplainants had already sought
from Mr.. Justice BisCh0f an injunction TO
restrain Mr.. Peabody from doing what
they contended amounted 10 coercion. but
the justice has refused 10 give them the
relief sought.