The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-18
CONNECTS HOLMES
W|TH.CQ|'TT0kD DEALS
Broker Van Ripper Tells How Of
fetal Sold Secret
Estimates,
WAS MEMBER NJ I: B OF Of THE Il! i FIRM ii
Direct Evidence That Holmes
Profited by Selling Valuable
Information.
WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON, June 17.-In Louis
II, Van Ripper g New York broker the
government to-day introduced the first
witness in the trial Of Edwin II.
Holmes, Jr, who has directly connected
Holmes with the premature divulgence
of the information on which the cotton
crops Of tho Agricultural Department
are based Mr.. Van Ripper was on the
stand all day, and the direct examina-
ton had not been concluded when the
court adjourned, making It probable
that he will monopol!zc the attention
Of the court Tomorrow He said that
he had met Holmes Sin 19O4yS through
Z. a. Peckham. and hat he 5linds agreed
to give them tWo-thirds OF any profits
that might be derived through stock
deals made on points supplied by
Holmes. He then told how Holmes had
kept his part Of the agreement by
giving out information a day in adj
report; quoted figures to show the de-
gree Of accuracy of the information
Supplied, and related instances in
which Holmes had been paid money
through Moses Haas.
He said that $4,000 had been clean
ed up on the informal ton secured In
advance of the report for November,
1904 He also testified that Holmes
had agreed to keep him informed OF
told how in the end regular part
nership had been formed In which
Holmes was one Of five members,
GambleA on Holiness lteport.
Mr., Van Ripper said that after first
meeting Hans and Peckham in Wash
lrgton. he had seen t hem IN Chicago
in company with Holmes y ana after
wards in ST. Louis. They5Shad Il con-
siderable conversation at tboth places
concerning operations IN cotton, with
he result that they began selling cot
ton In November and continued the
process until the December report was
on the strength OF the representations
Of Haas, who was supposed to be in
frequent conference with Holmes, and
Indicated q very bearish condition. He
Fad dealt through a nunlherSot brok-
ers In the November transactions, and
had been successful to the extent OF
about $4,000, OF this amount $4,000
was divided with Haas and Peckhana,
Haas taking half and Pecilham a
fourth Of the amount. Fart OF Haas s
share was paid IN cash.
What did Haas do With the caah?'
"He paid to Mr.. Holmes"
when and where?" Isl
| In the office; at that time"
Holmes Member Of Firm.
Mr.. Beach. for the prosecution
brought out from the witness the facts
concerning the organization OF the
brokerage firm OF L. Fl. Mercer &; Com
pany, He said that while the names
Of only Mercer and Peckham appear
IN the articles OF agreement, Holmes
Haas and himself were equal part
ners with the other two. AS the work
Ing capital Of this firm. $4,000 OF the
money secured In the November deal
was used, Part Of the money made ir
that deal was relnvested In ,Decen1
Der on the strength OF Haas's fore
cast Of tho cotton ginners' report and
$40 900 had been realized as profit
fourth OF this amount was paid tc
Haas In currency and by him turned
over to Holmes. ~
| On December 14th tho firm was dis
solved. yand Van Ripper testified tina
sss,9S2 had been paid to Haas / n check.
and tho same amount to Holmes ir
currency. m b,
Mr.. Van Ripper was still under OK.
animation when court adjourned fol
the day.