Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-21
MANY TESTIFY
TO CHARACTER
OF BROADHEAD
DEFENSE OPENS ITS CASE IN
BRIBERY TRIAL
CITIZENS SWEAR CAPTAIN WAS
GOOD, OSWALD BAD
Prosecution Concludes Testimony, and
After Filing Motion to Strike Out
Certain Statements, Accused
Mans Lawyers Begin

"I IINGSSbS III lle DlOouhSe'u "
wv yesterday mounted the witness
W stand and left it like sheep leap
ing a low gate, in an almost constantly
moving procession. Twenty-Five were
examined at the morning session, ana
eeventeen in the afternoon. All but two
of them were character witnesses eN~
clusively, called by Broadheads attor-
neys at the opening of the case Tor tne
defense to testify to the general reputa-
tion of the defendant Broadhead, Ior-
mer Mayor Harper and Ed Kern, prior
to the beginning of the present trial
and the events which led to IL.
Kern was in the court room IN the
morning. and both he and Harper were
present at the AFTERNOON session, listen
ing to the statements from the wltness
stand that their general regulations
had been good UP to a few months ago
Samuel Schenck was not there, nor
did any one appear to speak for him.
At the opening of the morning ses-
sion the prosecution further questioned
r. V. Miner. auditor and assistant
secretary of the Security Land and
Loan company, regarding a payment
made by Broadhead last March on the
property in Corcoran which he has been
buying on the installment plan. The
concluding testimony of this witness.
which closed the case OF the prosecu-
tion, was to the effect that payment
of $605 in gold and currency was made
In March. This was the month, ac-
cording to the testimony of Oswald,
that Broadhead began receiving $500
month as his share of the redlight bribe
money.
At the closing of the case for the peo-
pie counsel for the defense filed. in
typewrtten form. 435 separate motions
to strike out parts of the testimony,
chiefly that relating to the seeming re-
lation of Schenck. Harper and Kern to
the redlight conspiracy, and involving
Broadhead only by implication. The
motions were taken under advisement
by the court, to be ruled upon Mon
day morning, when the trial will be
resumed. Because of this decision be-
ing held in allegiance the defense with
held their witnesses in chief. and be-
gan calling the character witnesses.
Kern's Reputation BeIttied
Few of these were asked to testify
to the character of more than one Of
the three men whom the defense sought
to show had been generally considered
persons of truth, honesty and integ-
rity" at the beginning of the year.
Councilman Walter ]. Wren at the
morning session was called upon to do
double duty in this respect, but APP
parently failed to rise to the eXpecta-
tions of the defense.
He stated that the reputation of
Broadhead, on the points suggested,
had been good, but was somewhat dubi-
Gus about that Of Kern.
ut was not so good as Broadhead's,"
he said, after some hesitation. There
is doubt in my mind as to how I should
answer the question. Certainly, after
he came out of the council his reputa-
tion was bad"
Thereafter the defense contented
itself with calling for testimony on one
reputation from each witness.
Besides the witnesses called to say
that the reputation of three of the men
involved by former testimony in the
alleged conspiracy had been good
number of negative character wit
nesses were called to say that the gen.
eral reputation of N. d. Oswald was
bad.
Among the character witnesses, for
one of the three or against Oswald,
several were physicians who had found
some business in the making of exam
nations and issuing of certificates to
the women of the "cribs" which are
said to have contributed to the incomes
of Schenck, Harper, Kern and Broad
head. Many were politicians, active or
shelved. There were proprietors of
restaurants with liquor licenses, too,
as well as bank cashiers, lawyers and
policemen-altoget n very interest
ing array of personages from different
walks of life and different social
groups.
For the most part the only ques-
tions put to the witnesses were the
formal interrogations of counsel for
the defense: "Do you know the general
reputation" ETC.; the answer, YES"
Then the other question. What was
it?" and the answer, Good" And
then the prosecution not caring to
cross examine, the witness was ex-
cused, another taking his place, like
the famous locusts of the legend.
Witness Angry at Oswald
There were exceptions, however.
There was Felix Clavere, a "bad
character" witness regarding Oswald.
He said he is proprietor of saloon
license restaurant at 226 Also street.
District Attorney Fredericks under
took little cross examination in the
case of M. Clavere.
Weren't you very angry at Nick
Oswald for telling his story to the
grand jury and spelling the business
down there?' was asked.
mot very angry" replied the wit
ness. who had sworn the reputation of
Oswald for truth, honesty and integ-
rity was bad.
WAS your business as good as before
he did it?" Captain Fredericks persist
ed.
"Well no." admitted the witness,
mot quite so good, but we make a liv-
ing"
80 Nick spoiled your business for
you when he told his story?"
81 believe he did, a little Bit" con-
ceded the witness, and then he was
excused.
r. o. Wypan. who was a police
commissioners under Mayor Snyder,
testified on cross examination that his
knowledge of the general reputation OF
T. H. Broadhead was somewhat an
cient.
"I am responsible for his being put
on the police force" declared the wit
ness in a challenging tone. "He came
to me about twelve years ago, with no
hackers, no nothin'. l thought he
looked like a pretty clean young fell
Ter, and l recommended him for a
place on the force"
In the course of the mornings pro-