Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-04-09
HERMANN CONTINUES STORY
Says Detection of Land Frauds Was
Difficult Because of Lack of
Special Agents.

WASHINGTON, April The ninth week
OF the trial OF Binger Hermann, charged
with destroying public records in land cases,
began today with Mr.. Hermann the
principal witness. Although 1t was the
fourth day OF the defendants testimony,
he had not concluded his direct examina-
ton when court adjourned.
Mr.. Hermann began today by taking up
his acquaintance with the late Senator
Mitchell and Former Representative Will
hanson OF Oregon. He had known Mr.
Mitchell for forty-hye years, but had never
had any business relations with him and
the two had never been intimate socially.
As to Mr.. Williamson, the defendant was
emphatic in a statement that he had never
had any business relations with him in any
manner. Mr.. Hermann knew nothing which
would tend to connect Mitchell, williamson
Puter Mayes, Ornsby or DR.. Loomls with
any illegal transactions in connection with
the creation of the Blue Mountain forest
reserve any other public land matter
He said he did not have a friend interested
in the Blue Mountain country. AS commits
sioner Mr.. Hermann said he had blocked
Mr.. Williamson's project to have certain
school lands added to this reserve simply
because the record showed there were
o
Relating difficulties he encountered as
commissioner, Mr.. Hermann said when evi-
dences Of fraud were called to his atten-
tion It was impossible many times to make
an immediate investigation because of the
lack Of special agents. He had been be-
! fore congressional committees many times
urging larger appropriations in this direc-
tiCn, ne declared. Another handicap he
said, was the lack OF authority TO compel
! persons to testify. After repeated recon-
mendatiOns the witness said congress re-
sponded during the last year of his ad-
ministration and granted the authority.
Mr.. Hermann began his version of the In
tervlews between himself, Senator Mitchell
s. A. d. Puter and Mrs. Watson regarding
{ the Puter ll-7 claims He described only
the first interview. in which he said he
| recollected that these three persons called
on him. Senator Mitchell was the spokes-
man, and when he asked for information
! regarding the claims was referred to the
/ property division. The three went TO this
division and shortly afterward came back,
said the witness, when Senator Mitchell
detailed the 1900 expenditure which Mrs.
/ Watson had been put to and made the fur
/ ther statement that unless her claims could
speedily be passed to patent she would be
}
the cases be made special" and assured
( the missboners that the cases were in
shape to be taken up at once
Mr.. Hermann told Mr.. Mitchell that, as
he well knew, the practice OF the once pre-
cluded such a course in the absence OF
proper showing. The visitors departed with
the assurance from Mitchell that the neces-
snry showing would be made at once
While the witness said he could not say
who the woman was with Mitchell and
Puter, from his recollection he remembered
the argument was made IN her behalf
The feeble condition OF Nathaniel Nc
Kay at the time he was said 10 have Kot
the large package OF $50 bills as Change
for Senator Mitchell was testified 70 to-
day by Mrs. Ella NJ Riley OF New York.
who at that time was stenographer To Mr..
Mckay.