Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-24
TELLS OF Confession
Secret Service Agent Testifies
in Land Case.
ADMISSIONS BY SCHNEIDER
Statement Regarded as Important
for Government.
COURT AND ATTORNEY CLASH
Suggestion That Witness Was In
terrupted Resented by Counsel,
Who Notes an Exception.
COURT AND ATTORNEY CLASH

| Secret Service Agent William j. Burns.
who was actively concerned in the first
investigation by the government into the
alleged land frauds In California and
| Oregon. was on the witness stand during
| most Of today's session in the trial of
| Messrs. Hyde. Benson. Schneider and
Dimond before Justice Stafford In
| Criminal Court No. !. Mr.. Burns told
of the reiteration Of the confession con-
tanned in the Holsinger report by
| Schneider. and the latters declaration
| that practically all the statements con-
| tanned therein were correct.
This was regarded as constituting an
important point for the government be-
cause Justice Stafford had ruled that it
would be necessary very soon to show
| purpose of the acquisition Of school lands
in Oregon: also that Schneider admitted
to Burns performing certain acts subse-
duent to February. 1901. which would be
within the three-year period prior to the
| Indictment.
The proceedings of the morning session
| were enlivened by brief but spirited ex-
| change between Attorney Worthington
and Justice Stafford. Mr.. Worthington
was in the midst Of the cross examination
OF Burns and he interjected a question.
The court evidently thought he had in
terrupted the witness before an answer
to the prior query had been concluded
Mr.. Worthington did not so understa and IL
and the court finally said the attorney
must abide by the answer of the witness
whether he liked It or not.
II object" Mr. Worthington said.
There has been no suggestion or intima-
witness statement" He also referred to
the harm which might be wrought by
the court making such statement in the
hearing of the jury. and he asked for
an exception. which was granted.
Secret Service Agent Testifies.
William j. Burns. secret service agent,
who conducted a large part Of the inves-
tigation into the alleged land frauds. was
called to the witness stand soon after
court convened this morning, and he iden-
tilted the Holsinger report. containing
Schneider's confession, and also the let
tiers from ]. A. Zabriskie. an attorney of
Tuscon, Ariz., which led to the discovery
of the alleged irregularities. Burns was
required to retire, from the courtroom
for few minutes. while the attorneys
raised a point Of law, and when the wit
ness returned Justice Stafford instructed
| the jury that Mr.. Burns testimony
| PENDANT Schneider.
Mr.. Burns said he saw Schneider in
Tucson. Ariz.. in 1903. and Schneider ac-
knowledged the truth of statements in
INC I1OisilScF report. N1lneSS SdlQ
| Schneider gave as his reason for making
| the disclosures that he was very sore
at Hyde that Hyde hod promised him a
share in the business and had thrown
| him down. and that he wanted to get
| even. Schneider, said the witness. re-
fused to make an affidavit.
Il think he said he had made mil
lionaires of Hyde and Benson" Burns
added. land that he had been treated
very badly. He said he was the outside
man and had gotten school lands both
in Oregon and in California. and gave
me the names of many fraudulent en-
| tries
Purpose Of Testimony.
| The introduction of this testimony of
Agent Burns was in support Of the
ground. which Justice Stafford ruled must
soon be established by the government,
that Schneider knew that the school
lands obtained by him for Hyde were to
be used as basis Of exchange for other
/ lands.
| BY Mr. Burns the government secured
the Identification of a letter written by
Henry p. Dimond to F. A. Hyde. which,
1t was stated. was placed in evidence in
| one of the hearings in San Francisco by
Mr.. Dimond. The letter was read to the
| jury. 1t referred to the disturbed condi.
lions which obtained in this city. particu-
larly in the land office. after Secretary
Hitchcock had ordered the suspension Of
public land entries in California and Ore
| gon.
Attorney Worthington had just launch
| ed into the cross-examination of Burns
when the court took q recess from 1870
o'clock until 80 o'clock.