Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-26

conversation he once had with
George w. Beavers, now serving
term in prison, Mr. Wynne stated
that his suggestion that Beavers
should plead guilty was in line with
what he believed to be the Presi-
dents wishes in the matter.
George f. Green is on trial before Jus
tice Gould in Criminal Court No. / on con-
selidated indictments charging him with
conspiring with George w. Beavers against
the United States in the matter of furnish
ing time recording devices to the Post Office
Department.
for more than an hour in the forenoon
session In his direct examination, which
was conducted by United States District
Attorney Baker. he told of the confidence
which he. as Postmaster General had
placed in George w. Beavers in his capacity
as chief of the division of salaries and al
lowances in the Post Office Department.
The initials. &c. w b." PAL RS, the
witness said. were always sufficient in Of
fcial matters. Mr. Wynne knew George
Z. Green but slightly he said, the latter
having been presented to him by George
W. Beavers.
The interesting portion OF the testimony
of the consul general came under cross-eX-
animation. conducted by Attorney a. S.
Worthington of counsel for the defense. In
this Mr.. Wynne told the court that he had
sought and obtained an interview with
George w. Beavers In this city, when he
advised Beavers to plead guilty to The
charge of conspiracy. Mr.. Worthington
questioned the witness very closely as to
the representations which he had made to
Beavers and the authority for his action.
Mr. Wynne denied that he had been au-
thorlZed to take the step he had taken. but
said that what he had done was in accord
with what he understood to be the view of
Igrne don q tod u, tt,G
matter.
Mr.. Wynne at the beginning Of his tes-
timony stated that he had been appointed
TO the London post In April 1904 He sue
ceeded the late Postmaster General Payne
as head of the Post Office Department He
stated that he had known George w. BeaV-
ers about five years. When Mr.. Wynne
assumed his duties as Postmaster General
he said, Beavers was chief of the division
of salaries and allowances. He said that
in all matters relating to the division over
which Mr. Beavers presided he had been
accustomed to accepting the statements of
Beavers without the slightest question.
The initials of the division chief when APP
pearing on orders, requistions, etc, were
always sufficient
The witness was only slightly acquainted
with George L. Green. The latter had been
presented TO Mr. Wynne by George w.
Beavers. The witness recalled brief con-
ference. which occurred in his office, at
which both Green and Beavers were pres
ent They talked about the furnishing OF
clocks to the Post Office Department
Cross ss-Examination
Under cross-examination Consul General
Wynne said he had been in Washington for
several months. In response to a question
frcm Mr.. Worthington, he stated that ne
had sought and obtained an interview with
George w. Beavers in this city a short
time ago. What did you tell Beavers at
that mecting2" asked Mr.. Worthington.
told
that IL he didn't plead guilty he would ge-
four years in the penitentiary,' was the
answer.
Upon whose authority did YOU make
that statement the witness was next
asked
Il may have told him that | bad the In
dorsement of the President in the step I
was taking AID that the President thought
my action was proper and would tend to
suhscrve the ends OF Justice answered the
witness.
Mr.. Wynne was careful to explain that he
had not made the representations to Beav-
ers Oh the direct authority OF any one. He
had caused Beavers to understand that he
was speaking advisedly and that what he
said was based upon his own Judgment.
What did Beavers say in response to
what you told h.m?" was the next ques-
ton
He offered to plead guilty IN one case in
which one man had been convicted, and in
which another had turned states eyi-
deuce. said Mr.. Wynne.
II told him." continued the witness that
the United States district attorney would
not accept such plea In that case let
him know that had no authority from tue
district attorney. but told Beavers that he
could get the same 10 format ton elsewhere -
lie added: Il did not have authority. but
was acting advisedly."
Had Suspected Beavers.
Although Mr.. Wynne had suspected
Beavers. as he related on cross-examina-
tion, he said he had not at first been able
20 learn OF anything wrong that he was
doing. but he told the Postmaster General
OF his suspicion.
Mr.. wynne said, In response to ques-
tions by the defense he had told Beav-
ers that II he did not plead guilty
he would get four years but If he
pleaded guilty he would get only two
years, Ike Machen. Nr. Wynne told Beay-
ers TO see his lawyers first. Witness added
that he told Beavers that he had talked
with the President and that the President
thought he was taking the proper steps.
and that the ends OF justice would be
served II he pleaded guilty and received a
short sentence Beavers told Mr. Wynne
that he did not want ito throw Green.''
Mr.. Wynne, replying to defendants coun-
sci. reiterated that he did not tell Beavers