The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-08-18
Pennsylvania Treasurer Says
Evidence Is Ample.
WAS FIRST TO EXPOSE GRAFT
William II. Berry Believes that Com
spIracy Charged Against Huston,
Shumaker, and SandersOn viii
Warrant Prosecution - Men Men
toned in Report Out of City.


( Berry is the man who first called atten-
ton to the graft" in the state Capitol
/ construction. It was his charges that
! forced the exposure brought 10 a focus
yesterday by the presentation of the cap
/ itol commissions report TO the governor.
Il haven't had a chance 10 do much
/ more than glance over the head lines Of
the newspapers" said Mr.. Berry when
asked what he thought Of the report,
which fully bears him out in all the ale
cations he made on the stump and in his
/ letter TO former Attorney General carson.
Therefore, ! don't care to so into any
discussion Of the report to-day" added
! the State treasurer.
/ Mr.. Berry's attention was called to the
/ fact that although he is the man who
| really made the exposure. no mention, OF
his name is made in the report handed 10
/ the governor yesterday.
oh well! I don't feel bad about that"
replied the big State treasurer. You
know they weren't investigating me"
You feel satisfied with the result Of
the commissions work then, up to date?"
was asked.
Yes; I have had faith in them all
along. They have done just what I ex-
! pected they would do It's no surprise
To me. I had the evidence myself before
I said anything about the rottenness Of
the State capitol job"
What do YOU think of the future steps
60 be taken in the case?"
well, feel that matter is in good
hands"
All Guilty of Asininity.
DO you think there IS a good chance
OF eonvioting the guilty persons?
I'm not a lawyer, but I certainly do
I ink that at least three persons can be
eanvieted of conspiracy"
What three do you have in mind?'
Huston. Sanderson. and Shunaker."
How about the fifteen others named as
culpable by the investigating commits
sion21
Il think they can all be convicted OF
asininity. az least, ! would have to leave
/ Judgment as 70 their guilt OF more serious
crimes 10 the legal fraternity l say that
without knowledge Of just what evidence
the commission has. They may have
enough evidence 20 convict them all.
can only speak for what l know OF my
own knowledge"
"Of course. you feel that the report has
fully indicated you?"
yes, that goes without saying. I have
not had any doubt of that at any time.
As I said before, I had the evidence be-
fore ! opened my mouth in the way Of
exposure.
70
to-day 10 digest the commissions report,
and that was all he cared 10 say az this
time
One Of the stockholders Of Sanderson's
Pennsylvania Bronze Company who is
mentioned rs one of the men amenable to
prosecution said to-day in reference to
the report:
The report doesn't worry me any.
have done nothing for which I could be
prosecuted. They might have put any
bOdy's name in the report for all il will
mean. There Is nothing in the matter as
far as l am concerned. and am not wor-
ried about it,
Todd stan In Maine.
II any OF the Philadelphians mentioned
in the report of the Capitol investigation
commission, filed with Gov. Stuart yes
terday al Harrisburg. are in the city, they
are keeping under cover" A thorough
search Of their respective places Of bust
ness failed to locate Huston. Wetter.
Payne, and William T. Turner, a former
common councilman.
Attorney General NJ Hampton Todd
who Will conduct the prosecution of the
cases in behalf OF the commonwealth, Is
out Of the city also. He is expected back
on Monday, having stated on the eve of
departure for Maine that he Intended to
return as soon as the report was filed
with Gov. Stuart
Former District Attorney John c. Bell
counsel for Charles G. Wetter and George
F. Payne, members of the contracting
firm Of George F. Payne & Co. is on his
vacation. and Will not return Until the
latter part Of next week. Samuel NJ
Clement, jr.. who represents the $4,000
capitol architect. Is also out Of town.
At the office Of Payne & Co. this morn
ing. it was said in answer to an inquiry
for Mr. Wetter that he was out of
town"
How soon do you expect him to re-
turn?' was asked.
Possibly Monday or within few days
at least, was the reply Of clerk.
When will Mr. Payne return from
Michigan?"
THAT we can't answer. Mr.. Wetter is
the only person who can give that infor-
nation" was replied.
Turner OF on Vacation.
At the salesroom Of the library bu-
reau, where William T. Turner. the ae-
tive member OF the international Manu-
featuring and Supply Company is en-
ployed one OF the statesmen said that
Mr.. Turner was sick and taking a lengthy
vacation.
What section Of the country is he in
at the present timer"
We have not an idea. He left no for
warding address wheI he went away"
answered a salesman who appeared to be
in charge of the establishment.
Are you sure that he is not at his
home out at Oak Lane?"
"Oh, no; he is not in the city We have
a whole stack of letters and bundles back
in the Office left here for him. If we
knew his whereabouts we would forward
them at once" was answered.
If you leave your name. added the
salesman. 1T is just possible that Mr..
Turner may drive in some day II you
care TO leave a card l will see that It
reaches him at the earliest moment"
Pressed for more information as TO the
head of the firm which supplied $4,000
worth Of trimmings for the Capitol the
gentleman acknowledge that he had never
seen Mr.. Turner and was not at all GER
tain that he was any longer connected
with the firm.
OF the other prominent lawyers Of this
city who viii be actively engaged IN the
defense of the accused, none could be
seen this morning, except former Judge
Dinner Beeber. He refused to discuss
any ubaca If fha Car,ftoT soo-d,t