The San Francisco call., 1909-11-19
VISIONS OF TURKEY
PERMfATE CONTEST
Controversy Over De Layeaga
Millions Forgotten in Thanks
giving Thoughts
lie Breton Resumes Stand and
Underg0eS Sharp Cross
Examination

After a day spent in wrangling and
in the revamping of old evidence. the
hearing of the De Laveagas will con-
test became permeated yesterday with
the spirit of thanksgiving and the con-
troversy over the millions of Maria de
Laveaga were eliminated in the men
tai visions of turkey.
Il would like to have this case con-
tinued with greater rapidity next
week. said Judge Coffey at the close
OF the day.
Attorney Piusbury rose from his
seat and in a voice touched with anN-
iety asked: "SureIy-surely. your
honor does not mean to saysthat this
court will be sitting Th~nksgiving
day?'
'This court will be sittis voueh
safed Judge Coffey, but Z, other
table
'.Ahr' said Attorney shortridge. rub
bing his hands, Il smell that turkey
now
'If you smell that turkey now re-
piled the court you'd better not eat
it Thanksgiving day"
The question of turkey was about the
only point on which the attorneys for
the respective sides agreed E. j. lie
Breton was on the stand and was askes'y
to explain his declarations to the enecI
that Miss Maria de Laveaga was of un-
sound mind when he had her on his
bond as receiver for the California safe
deposit and trust company for $50O.0OO
did you inform the court that one
of your bondsmen for s500.0O0 was OF
unsound mind?' he was asked
Il did not was the reply.
Did you believe that a bond given
by person of unsound mind was en-
forcible?'
Il did. 1 would like TO explain this
phase of my evidence i appointed j.
v. de Laveaga as my attorney and. as
he would receive various benefits from
that position, L thought it only just
and right that the De Laveaga family
should agree to be my bondsmen- AS
was not on speaking terms with
Miguel de Laveaga, my attorneys
father. he refused TO go on my bond
But inasmuch as his son was my attOr-
ney he agreed TO guarantee the bonds
of his sisters. 1 felt quite secure in
the arrangement and eonscientiously
believed that the bond was good.
did not inform the court, because L
knew the Judge was fully aware of the
situation and recognized the bonds as
being good
There was a regular fusillade OF OBJ
jections and comments from Attorney
Shortridge during the redirect exami-
nation of lie Breton. and Attorney Os-
car SutIo finally interposed a fOrcible
complaint.
Counsel has interrupted and inter
fered with the witness at every tenth
question: said Sutro-
No replied Shortridge. with pom
dercus gravity. every eleventh. How
ever, pray do not consider me deficient
in intellect or of unsound mind on ac-
count of these lapses."
The greater part OF the afternoon
session was devoted to the reading OF
deposition made by lie Breton before
the commencement of the trial amy
which was similar to the evidence giveH
by him when on the stand. Attorney
Pillsbury read about Il pages OF this
deposition and then asked IL lie Breton
remembered having testified accord
ing to the reading.
sI do" solemnly replied lie Breton.
Whereupon, Pillsbury read another
dozen pages and asked the same ques-
tion. receiving the same reply. He
( was about to start on the third lap.
when Shortridge arose and objected.
charging the counsel for the contest
ant with misconduct and declaring
that their only endeavor was to place
on the records matter which they knew
could not be admitted under the Ordi-
nary rules of evidence.
The court upheld ShoTtridge and the
greater mass of the deposition was
stricken out. the only man gaining by
the transaction being the shorthand
reporter. who is paid by the folio.
The case was continued until Monday
morning. The expectations are that
lie Breton will not be kept on the wit
ness stand much longer.