The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-09-18


upon a policy that aims at the saving OF
thousands of dollars annually for the
government and one that win cause much
expense for persons indicted for crime in
the District of Columbia
During the last few years the expendi-
tuTe Of money from the Treasury in GRIM
inal cases in Washington has been IN
usually large So large did this expense
become that the Committee on Appropria-
tons. at the last session Of Congress, de-
cided that it was time 10 call a halt. and
inserted d provision in the appropriation
bill which limited the criminal courts
here for witness fees and expenses to
$1,000 annually.
In order to meet this provision OF the
law District Attorney Baker viii here
after require indicted persons 90 not only
pay the marshars fee for summoning
witnesses, but the expense Of these wit
nesses as Well The practice heretofore
has been for "a defendants lawyer to fur
nish TO the clerks OF the TWO criminal
courts and to the marshal. the names OF
not only resident witnesses. but out-of-
town witnesses as well. and these. as a
matter OF form. were brought here. unless
they lived at unusually distant points.
Hermann Trial Costly.
In the latter case their testimony was
taken by deposition, bat in many cases.
notably in that Of Binger Hermann. who
was indicted for destroying government
records while occupying the position of
Commissioner Of the General Land Office,
and acquitted, the expense TO the govern
ment for summOning witnesses was very
large. and it is estimated the trial cost
the Government $1,000.
There are many criminal eases await
ing trial at the ensuing terms Of court.
between October and July, in which IL
Will be necessary to summon many wit
nesses, and in one case. the Hyd0-Beu-
/ son-Schne.der land fraud indictments. IN
which these three men are charged with
defraudiug the government out Of thou
sands OF acres OF land in Western States,
it is estimated that nearly 500 witnesses
viii be summoned By the defense.
Long TFinI Expected.
Some time ago. realizing this. District
"A
postpone the beginning Of the trial of the
case until the January term. After many
postponements it had been finally settled
70 begin trial at the coming October
term In view Of the large amount Of
/ evidence 10 be presented Ia connection
with this case. it viii take. az a conserve
| tive estimate. about two months 20 try it.
If Mr.. Bakers new policy receives the
sanction of the Supreme Court Of the
District. it may be possible 20 place this
trial on during the October term.
The district attorney believes that he
will have no difficulty in receiving ju-
diciai Endorsement Of his plan 10 saddle
the expense in such cases on the persons
Indicted. as section go Of the code
specifically provides that IN criminal
cases persons indicted shall pay the mar
shaTs fee and the expenses Of witnesses
unless they furnish an affidavit setting
forth that they are financially unable 10
do so.
Philip Able To Pay.
II is thought improbable that CASTOR p.
Philip. who is indicted in connection with
the death Of Frank B. Macaboy. the cab
man, in May last; Edwin II. Holmes, who
was indicted in connection with the cot
ton leak" IN the Department of Agricul-
ture, and whose first trial ended in a jury
disagreement IN July last; the brokers
who were indicted for running bucket
shops" the ice dealers who were indicted
for violation Of the antitrust law and
others whose trials are scheduled for the
ensuing terms of court between October
and July next. Will plead financial In
ability TO pay the expenses OF their wit
neSSeS.
As a result the government VIII save
an immense sum, and It viii be unneces-
sary for Congress to make an emergency
appropriation to relieve the congestion Of
the criminal calendar and the $1,000 al
ready provided will be sufficient