Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-27
TEChN|CAuT|ES THE RULE
DRY DETAILS BEFORE JURY IN
LAND FRAUDS CASE.
Testimony a. to News Concerning
the Creation Of Proposed
Forest Reserves.

lily teCINlCAutleS were par20SQ In Bre2'
detail before the jury in the land frauds
trial Of Messrs Hyde. Benson. schneide,
and Dimond in Criminal Court No l to.
day. The general purpose Of the defense
was to prove that news concerning thu
creation of proposed forest reserves ir
California was public property rather
than restricted to few individuals. such
as F. A. Hyde and John A. Benson. and
used by them as the basis Of many OF
their alleged fraudulent land transactions
B; F. Allen of the forestry bureau in
t .atn was the witness by whom
lish most of his important points. and
Mr.. Allen took the stand early in the
morning with an excellent prospect OF
being under cross-examination nearly. II
not all Of the day.
Al the opening Of court at 10 clock
this morning Attorney Worthington an
nounced himself in readiness to continue
the cross-examination Of b. F. Allen. for.
merry forest superintendent in California
and MI. Allen was recalled to the stand
Asked whether he had been a forest su.
pervisor before promotion to the post OF
superintendent. and whether in that ca
pacity he had examined any parts Of the
country and recommended the creation OF
matively and named the Sierra, San
Gabriel. San Barnardino and Trabuco re-
serves
Preparation Of Map.
who prepared the map which you used
IN connection with the Sierra reserve
recommendations" Nh worthington
queried.
THE Sierra Reserve Club" witness
answered.
"Wes that . government or q private
An organization Of citizens who were
serve"
What member Of the club. IL any. as
sisted you in preparation of your report %
MI. Warren Olney."
Oakland?'
Eyes. SIR"
Mr.. Worthington carried Mr. Allen
through an exhaustive examination con-
corning the reports which he prepared
and transmitted to the general land Of
nee in this city relative to the creation of
different reserves. The witness declared
That all OF the statements in the reports
were based on information which he
gathered. and that Hyde did not exert an
innuenGe on him In preparing his letters
The examination Of Mr.. Allen consumed
all OF the morning session Of court the
eenera! purpose Of the defense being to
oHoW tHdI IL was the custom OF Of1CerS OF
the forestry division to inform all citizens
OF the region Of a proposed forest reserve
OF the probable creation Of reserve
secure their opinions of its advisability
and thus disseminate information of the
extent OF the land to be withdrawn from
entry.
This was in direct opposition to the
contention Of the government that the
defendants. Hyde and Benson, particu-
larly. secured secret information from the
forestry supervisors and the forestry su-
perintendent OF the boundaries of pro-
posed reserves % as to rush in and file
large numbers OF entries which mi9a,t
later be exchanged for valuable public
lands in other parts Of the United States.
The Characterization Of Allen was in
progress when Justice Stafford ordered
recess for luncheon from 1890 O'Clock
till 1870 o'clock.
Session This Afternoon.
In the early part Of the session this
afternoon little of importance was added
to Mr.. Aliens testimony. Attorney
Worthington announced the conclusion of
his cross-examination and Assistant At
torney General Pugh took up redirect
questioning. He brought out several
facts OF minor value concerning the char
recommended for reservations, and Of the
assistance which Mr.. Hyde gave him in
preparing reports. maps. etc. The wit
ness was on the stand under recross.ex-
animation when this report closed.