Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-06
LAWYERS ARGUE
TO THE JURY
Summing-Up Adrdess in Trial
of George E. Green.
ATTORNEY BAKER OPENED
Followed by Mr.. John B. Stanchfeld
for the Defense.
PRAYERS FOR INSTRUCTIONS
Verdict is to Be On the Indictment
Charging Conspiracy With
George W. Beavers.
ATTORNEY BAKER OPENED
Followed by Mr.. John B. Stanchfeld
for the Defense.
PRAYERS FOR INSTRUCTIONS

The twelve men impaneled as
jury in Criminal Court No. I, upon
whose decision rests the fate OF
former State Senator George Z.
Green of Binghamton, N. Y, in
dicted for conspiracy with George
W., Beavers to defraud the United
States in connection with the Post
Office Department irregularities,
were addressed today by the legal
representatives of the government
and of the defendant in the rehear-
sal OF evidence and the presentation
OF final arguments.
Without any show of WEAKNESS abate
ment in interest the jury followed with
closest attention the forceful reasoning and
impressive appeals of opposing counsel.
Scarcely less interest was manifested by
the unusually large crowd which filled the
court room throughout the days session.
The presentation of the case of the gov
ernment was opened by United States At
torney Baker soon after the court
recited evidence and argued that the gov
ernment had made out case upon which
any reasonable set of men should consider
the charge that Green entered into fraud
ulent conspiracy sustained
he admitted that only Circumstantial evil
Gence had been produced, which was all,
he said. that the nature of the case allowed.
Convincing in Logical Sequence.
But this, the United States attorney urg-
ed, was convincing in It's logical connec-
tion and sequence that no reasonable man
could reject the inference of guilt. He
challenged the defense 10 explain away
the figures produced by the government
Mr.. Baker was answered by Mr.. John b.
Stanchfield, who in q clear and measured
speech sought 10 show the jury that the
Indictment had not been supported by the
evidence produced by the prosecution. He
denied that the jury should accept the in
ferences urged by counsel for the govern
ment. He said that the prosecution relied
wholly upon vague and circums tantial
proof,
The jury was listening to final arguments
at late hour this afternoon.
United States Attorneys Address.
United States Attorney Baker soon after
court opened this morning began the pre-
sentation of the case OF the government
to the jury. He took up. part by part, the
several links In the chain of circumstan-
tai evidence adduced by the government to
show the alleged fraudulent relations exist
Ing between George w. Beavers as chief of
the division OF salaries and allowances in
the Post Office Department and George
Il. Green. as president and agent OF the
International Time Recording Company.
AT the outset Mr.. Baker asked the jury
10 consider the peculiar nature OF the
crime of conspiracy. The element of Sc
crecy, he said, belongs to all crimes, but
more especially 10 conspiracy than 10 al
most any other in the catalogue.
Few, If any cases are proven by direct
evidence of the parties the speaker said.
often there is not even oral agree
mcnt They act in concert. each one un-
derstanding what is to be accomplished. but
Il may be that not single word is
spoken.
Proven by the Evidence.
The government does not contend for a
moment that it has proven the case out OF
the mouth Of the conspirators. but the gov
ernment does contend that out of the evil
deuce the jury can find that there was an
unlawful agreement in this case"
Mr.. Baker reviewed the acts of George
W. Beavers in connection with the pur-
chase OF Bundy time-recording devices.
Who was George w. Beavers? the at
torney asked. What was his occupation?
What did he have to do with the purchase
Of time devces?' Answering these ques-
tious, he informed the jury that Beavers
was a sworn officer OF the United States.
who had taken oath for the faithful
performance OF his duties and the safe
guarding Of the interests of the govern
ment.
He was officially concerned In the dis
bursement OF SJ0.0Uo.Ooo. and had entire con-
troll OF an annual appropriation amounting
10 S2JO,Op0 for the purchase of furniture and
other equipments for second-ciaSs post
Offices. Mr. Baker told the jury. He then
rehearsed the evidence showing the man
uer In which orders for purchases were is
sued from the division of salaries and all
lowances This showed conclusively he
said, that Beavers was in such control that
he frequently conducted purchase trauxac-
tons without even formal reference TO his
supeTiors. Mr.. Baker read letter from an
agent OF the Bundy Time Recording Com
pany TO Beavers personally asking him for
an order for thirty machines
What Did Beavers Dop''
And when finally a change in the make
OF the clocks was proposed what did Beay-
ers do?" Mr.. Baker inquired, This officer
Of the government. he added was the only
one TO come forward to oppose any change
in the interest OF economy. MIR. Baker re-
ferred TO the evidence showing the author
ity OF Beavers in the matter OF indorsng
orders for supplies by placing his initials
on the papers.
Such was the power of George W Beay-
ers,' Mr.. Baker declared. "He is the man
who my friends on the other side wish to
have you consider as a mere clerk in the
department" -
very significant fact, the United States
attorney said, was to be found in the evil
dence showing that when the proposed
change OF machines was being discussed
Green was in town.
he had heard about the proposed
change Mr.. Baker pointed out ..Where
did he get the Information?'
Summary of the Transactions.
After disposing of the description of
George w. Beavers and his acts the United
States attorney gave a summary of the