Evening star., 1908-01-28
GRAFT CASE TANGLED
Defendants Fear Huston May
Turn States Evidence.
SUSPICION OF NEW MOVE
Has Been Allowed a Separate Trial
by the Commonwealth.
WITNESS ALSO FOR DEFENSE
Trial Now on Involves the Payment
of $4,000 to sanderson.
Shumaker Still Ill.
SUSPICION OF NEW MOVE
WITNESS ALSO FOR DEFENSE

HARRISBURG, Pa, January 2s.-The
second day Of the trial Of the state cap
itol cases, in which Contractor John H.
Sanderson. former Auditor General Will
liam P. Snyder. former State Treasurer
William l.. Mathues and James NJ. Shu-
maker, former superintendent of grounds
and buildings, are accused Of conspiracy
to defraud the state. was devoted by the
commonwealth to laying the foundation
Of It's case. Official records were put in
ment and confirmation Of various state
officers who served during the construc-
ton and equipment of the capitol. The
minutes of the meetings Of the board of
grounds and buildings, at which Sander
son was given the contract for the cap
itol furnishings and Joseph NJ Huston
was appointed architect for the board.
were also offered in evidence.
In his opening speech TO the jury James
Scarlet outlined the charge against the
defendants, and said the commonwealth
spired to chca; and defraud the state.
He said there was evidence at hand to
show that this fraud had been deliberate
and that the plea Of mistake on the
part of the defendants could not be sus-
tanned.
Plans Are Changed.
The plan of defense in the capitol prose-
cuticns has been changed completely by
the action OF Architect Joseph NJ. Huston
OF Philadelphia in securing a separate
trial. with the consent of the common
indicate that he has an agreement with
the commonwealth. and will be one Of
its principal witnesses. The attorneys on
both sides will not discuss this phase Of
the case except TO say that Huston has
been suhpoenaed as witness for his CO.
Observation-Disclosures John II. Sander
son. former Auditor General William P.
Snyder, former State Treasurer William
L. Mathues and James NJ Shumaker
former superintendent of grounds and
buildings.
Defendants Are Alert.
Huston has been in Harrisburg since
Saturday with his attorneys. George S
Graz ham. A. s. l.. Shields and Samuel NJ
Clement, jr. but has not appeared ir
court. Owing to the physical condition
of Shumaker who has been I'll since
| last spring, he has been excused from
| attendance at court
Shumaker Comes to Court.
| Shumaker came into court with a negro
attendant. and took his seat at the de
PENDANTS counsel table while Mr.. Scarlet
| was speaking. Mr.. Scarlet rccited the
| history OF the construction and equip
ment of the capitol ard explained tbs
official duties of the auditor general, state
| treasurer and superintendent of grounds
| and buildings. He also explained the
! system of contra citing for state supplies
| upon the schedule adopted annually by
the board of public grounds and build
| inGs, composed Of the governor. auditoi
| general and state treasurer He ex-
planned. further. that the regular schedule
| of 1904 contained a special capitol fur
nishing schedule. upon which Sandersor
| was given the contract for all the items
| in this special schedule under the per
| foot and per pound" systems. At the
| time this contract was awarded the board
| was composed OF Snyder. Mathues anG
Gov. Pennypacker. Shumaker was super.
| intendent OF grounds and buildings and
| executive officer of the board.
| After Sanderson was given this contract
| the board. June 10, 1904, adopted a reso.
| luton authorizing payment Of all bills
| under this special schedule upon the GER
tification of Huston. who designed the
furnishings and was the boards agent
| Should Huston be called as a witness fol
the commonwealth the defense will try
to break down his testimony by attempt.
| ing 10 show that he certified to the guam.
tity and quality OF the furnishings sup
piled by Sanderson. and that the bills
| were approved by Shumaker and Snyder
and paid by Mathues on the strength o.
| the architects certificate. and that i