The Washington herald., 1907-08-24

William z Ambrose. attorney for Ches-
ley & Spence. Frank Kane, and Wade &
Hedges. stated last night that he had
little doubt about his ability to clear his
clients Of the charges against them,
He was positive in the assertion that
the government had no case. technically,
upon the charge under which the pro-
ceediugs were brought. OF in fact upon
the proof of Illegal transactions,
Mr.. Ambrose said he was preparing
himself to fight the proceedings to the
last ditch. II was contrary to his prac-
tice 10 announce his line OF defense be-
fore the prosecution showed its hand,
but he said he could map out a general
line OF action which he thought would
be sufficient to clear his clients.
IN the first place" said Mr.. Ambrose.
Il have advised the three firms 7 rep
resent to open their offices tomorrow
and go on with their business. II they
are interfered with, shall file an in
Junction in court. citing the district at
tOrney and complainants 10 show cause
why the brokers should not be allowed
10 continue trading
The Courts order.
''Fhe courts order viii, Of course, open
the Offices for business, I may say also
that If indictments are brought, I shall
meet them with demurrers on strong
legal grounds, and the efficacy of the
section in the code under which the brok-
ers have been proceeded against will be
tested In the higher courts. I DO not be-
lieve indictments brought under this sec
ton Of the general gambling act can
stand or should stand against bucket
shop men. At all events, 1 propose to
test the law on its merits before allowing
my clients TO be tried under It.
IF / am rightly informed. the dis
trict attorney was largely actuated in
yesterdays raid by the hope that he
would find in some OF the Offices entered
evidence Of the backing OF hand books
there, OF course nothing of the kind
was found, and If this was the motive
the cases will naturally be found weak
when tried upon their merits, under the
gambling law
i have been the regular attorney for
Chelsey & Spence for several years and
have represented them IN several cases
where the legitimacy OF their business
transactions were in question. Uniformly
the courts OF the District have upheld
their transactions with various ntigants
and decisions have pronounced them
again and again as legitimate stock
operators. I have no doubt that it will
be so again, as there have been no
changes in the laws since some of these
cases were brought I was considerably
surprised at the district attorney for
starting these proceedings, in the light
OF the past experience Of his office in the
prosecution Of 'bucket-shop cases in the
District courts
Spence Denies Guilt.
Mr.. Spence, OF Chesley & Spence. stated
last night that It would work great hard
ship upon his patrons If the authorities
interfered further with his business. He
said he had numerous persons upon his
sheet who would order stocks which they
had been holding for several days sold
tomorrow or would wish 10 put up fur
ther margins, according as the condl
ton of the market might dictate
He said a stoppage Of the wires to-day
after the interruption Of yesterday would
possibly wipe out the accounts OF sev.
eral persons, who would meet with con
siderable losses
M Spence ridiculed the idea that hi,
house had been engaged in any transac.
tons in any way indictable. we have
had too good legal advice for that" he
said
Assistant District Attorney Ralph Giver
said last night that he saw no reason why
the brokers should be permitted to con-
unue business He said that he had heard
nothing 20 indicate that District Attorney
Baker proposed to permit the places &
stay openr and that SO far as ne is con.
eerned he will insist to-day that they de.
sist from further action until a DISPOSE
AitAr. la d. -