Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-06
CHARACTER WITNESS
Gen. Gr0svenor Testifies in
Binger Hermann Case.
STANDING OF DEFENDANT
Cross-Examination of Former Sur.
veyor Medium.
QUESTIONS ASKED BY COUNSEL
Additional Details Regarding Visit to
Portland, oreg.-Motive for De-
stroying Copy Books.
QUESTIONS ASKED BY COUNSEL

With the exception of a slight interruu.
ton in the regular order Of proceedings to
permit former Representative c. II. Gros-
venor to appear as character witness, the
major portion of the sessions today Of
Criminal Court No. l, where the trial of
former Representative Binger Hermann II
in progress, was devoted to further exami-
nation of Henry Meldrum, the convicted
former surveyor general of Oregon. Only
few questions had been asked Meldrum
when Gen. Grosvenor entered the court
room, and by agreement of counsel the
Ohioan took the stand Immediately.
Did you not at one time serve in Con-
gress with the defendant here, Binger Her.
MANN Attorney Worthington asked.
Yes" Gen. Grosvenor replied. we were
on several committees together
And you have many mutual friends?'
Yes"
"Will you state what is the general opin-
ion to his honesty and integrity.
"Binger Hermann has always stood
high
Counsel for the defense took up the cross
examination of Medium and asked what
was meant by the statement in the letter
about Miss Silverstein that she would be
satisfied with the usual fee"
1.-The usual fee paid was $500 or $780,"
Medium answered.
THAT would be about 81 per acre on
each 320-acre half sectton?'
Yes"
ITO how many representatives of tho
government have you made statements con-
corning this caSe?''
ITO Messrs. Burns and Heney in Oregon,
and Mr.. Rittenhouse, Mr.. Adkins and Mr..
Baker in the United States attorneys Of
flee here
Did Burns and Heney say anything to
you to the effect that you would get
severe sentence if you didn't tell all you
knew
Yes, something like that"
After establishing the fact that Mr.. Mel
drum, accompanied by Mr.. Patterson, an
other Oregon man. went to the residence
of Mr.. Galley, Mr.. Hermann's son-in-law
and junior counsel, where they conversed
for long time with Mr.. Hermann, and
later with Mr.. Galley and Mr.. Hermann
together, Attorney Worthington probed at
some length into occurrences on that oc-
casion.
Did you say to Mr.. Hermann that B.
F. Mays in your office in Portland only
once when Mr.. Hermann cave in. and that
the defendant merely greeted Mays, who
then went out-and that it your in.
tention to so testify?'
NO"
Statement by Witness.
Didn't you say you were a pretty old
man to go to McNeills island for two years.
but you would do it before you would testify
against Binger HERMANN"
Il think L did,
What made you change your mind?"
"A good many things-principally letters
all when l first arrived in Washington"
Did Mr.. Patterson give you paper pur-
porting to come from George c. Brownell?"
Yes
What did you do with it?'
Read it and then tore it up
Counsel for the defense made strenuous
Brownell paper. but Justice Stafford ruled
against it.
Did you say to Mr.. Galley that the
government wanted you to swear to lies
against Binger. Hermann, but you wouldn't
do IT," Mr.. Worthington continued.
No" witness answered.
What did you say?"
Il said l wouldn't swear to anything
against Binger Hermann"
Witness asked number of ques-
tons along the same line, but he denied
responsibility for the statement. They
want me to swear to lies"-no matter how
it was phrased.
How did you find out where Binger
Hermann resided in Washington United
States Attorney Baker asked when he took
the witness for redirect examination.
His son and son-in-law, Mr.. Galley,
came to the National Hotel, where l was
stopping Mr. Medium declared, and he
also mentioned AN occasion when he was
met in one of the corridors Of the court
house by Mr.. Galley, given Mr.. Hermann's
address and invited to call.
Where had you been that EVENING""
Mr.. fBaker continued.
ITO the theater
What theater?'
Il don't know-on Pennsylvania ave-
nue. somewhere
Have anything to drink"
Yes. indeed"
Amy more drinks at Mr.. Gatley's
house?'
Yes; L don't know how many"
Were you intoXicated?"
We'll, l don't know about that. l was
feeling pretty good
Try as they would, counsel for the de-
Tense could not shake the story of drinking,
nor could they establish whether or not the
witness mind is much affected by pota-
lions.
did you have anything to drink this
morning?" asked Attorney Worthingtor
suddenly.
None of your business" as quickly re-
piled Mr.. Weldrum; but the court ruled he
must answer, and he acknowledged slipping
twice Of liquor before breakfast.
That practically ended the examination
of Meldrum and just before noon recess
Emmert Callahan, an attorney of Baker
City, Ore, began the narration of visit to
this city in November, 1902, when he saw
the President, Secretary of the Interior
Hitchcock and Binger Hermann, then COM
missioner of the general land ONCE, and
protested to each against the common
stealing" incident to the disposition of Ore
eon public lands.
On DISCRIMINATION.
On cross-examination by Attorney WORTH
ington Mr.. Callahan detailed at greater