Los Angeles herald., 1907-10-26

MATHEMA TICS
HOW MUCH DOES GOLD WEIGH?
is PUZZLE
Witness at Trial Of Ford Becomes
Confused and Furnishes an
Amusing Incident In
Case

By Associated Press.
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 25.-The mo-
nientary inability of the director of thu
mint to correctly compute the weight O.
$50, 900 in gold coin was an amusing Incl
dent of today's closing Of the Ford brib
cry trial.
Frank A. Leach, recently promoted
from the superintendency of the Sar
Francisco branch mint to the director
ship of the mint at Washington, and who
iourneyed 5000 odd miles in obedience tt
a subpoena was called by the prosecu-
ton to testify to the withdrawal from the
local mint by Tirey L. Ford of the $2OO,oO'
allegedly spent by the United Railroads
in corrupting Ruef, Schmitz and seven
teen of the eighteen supervisors wnc
voted for the passage of the trolley fran
chise He was cross-examined for the
defense by Stanley Moore. who asked:
"Mr. Leach, what would be the weight
of $50 900 in gold coin?'
"About ninety pounds" was the prornp,
answer
The attorneys on both sides smiled.
care YOU quite sure of thatT' Moore
persisted.
'.Well," ,said the mint director fishine
out his eyeglasses, pencil and plt OF
paper. 'that was a quick mental calcu-
lAtion / can tell you exactly IN mo-
ment." and he fell to figuring.
Presently he said: Eyes, that's right
about ninety pounds
.eWhy.' said Moore, witnesses testi-
fed in the former trial of General Foro
that it would be from 100 to 175 pounds
I wonder why this difference OF opinion
"Well." answered Director Leach, you
see, a $4,000 sack of gold weighs q 1rac.
tion over eighteen pounds, so soO,Ooo wouio
weigh approximately-
zone hundred and eighty pounds
prompted Francis ]. Heney, with one OF
his famous grins.
"No," corrected Leach, approximately
"But,' said Moore "s5o,OOO is ten times
$4,000, and ten times eighteen pounds Is
1870 pounds, isn't it?'
Learns Higher Mathematics
AS the light OF higher mathematics
broke upon the director of the mint a.
washington a slow smile overspread his
face and he gave in.
Nine witnesses were examined ana cross
examined today. They We're former Su
pervisors McGushin, Kelly, .Walsh, BOX
ton. Nicholas EIamlock and Harrlgan
Mr.. Leach and W illiam X. Cole, manager
of the Mission branch of the Anglo
California baak.
AT the time of the alleged bribery Mr.
Cole held the position of cashier of the
min under Superintendent Leach.
Adjournment was taken until Monday
morning.
Former Supervisors P. McGushin
James Kelly ar1 e. l. Walsh testified
this morning Each retold the story o.
his bribery in the interest of the United
Railroads trolley franchise. Their cross
examination elected nothing of impor
tance Former Supervisors Charles Box
ton, Fred P. Nichols and G. ]. HagertJ
also testified before the noon recess, theii
evidence being substantially the same as
given at the former trial of Ford. few
discrepancies however, were developed
on cross examination.
During the cross examination or Mich
OILS IIeney and Rogers got to bandyins
words over the testimony of the witness
that he had learned during the pendency
of the trolley franchise that Rudolph
Spreckels was ar the head of move
ment to form n rival street car company
which would use the conduits system
Heney protested to Rogers that Spreckels
motive was entirely honest, that his pur-
pose was merely to force Calhoun's hand
To this Rogers made a sneering reply
when Iawlor said: IT don't understand
what purpose these side comments are
meant to serve. If they are intended tc
influence the JUICY they are improper u
they are addressed to the court they will
have no weight. l trust they will be dis.
continued