The San Francisco call., 1909-08-28
MORE TESTIMONY
INVOLvjNGBROKERS
w. W. Sweet and A. c. Bacon
May Be investigated by
the Grand jury
]. ]. Lynch Continues His Evi=
dence in the Ocean Shore
Bond Theft Case

W. w Sweet and A. C. Bacon. the
stock brokers brought prominently into
the trial of Charles E. Rankin Thurs
day in the unexpected testimony of
John J. Lynch, who now rests under a
nine year sentence for having embez-
zled 20 Ocean Shore bonds. were fur
ther implicated yesterday,to degree
that may result in grand jury inyesti-
cation. by the cross examination of
Lynch by Frank Drew, one of the at
torneys for the defense. and his exam
ination by Hiram Johnson.
Drew did not seek to go into the
facts of the case on trial, but ques-
toned Lynch closely upon the situation
surrounding the convicted mans deter
mination to testify, evidently with the
idea of convincing the jury that a
promise of pardon or Communication of
sentence had been offered by the prose-
cution. But during Lynch's testimony
nothing definite in tnat line developed,
while Sweet and Bacon were drawn
further than ever into the bond sale
tangle.
SWEET APPEARS IN COURT
Sweet was mentioned repeatedly as
the first to call Lynchs attention to the
plan for making $4,000 without any
trouble, and he was an interested lis
tener yesterday. having come down
from Coalinga Thursday night to be in
attendance at the trial. He is stayin g
at the ST. Francis hotel and is under
surveillance.
The prosecution has rested it's case,
Ifbut the defense, upon request of At
torney Drew, has been granted until
Monday to secure witnesses and exhib-
its to attempt to disprove Lynch's
statements or prove them actuated by
promise of liberty. The defense will
close Monday afternoon and Tuesday
two hours will be given each side for
submitted to. the jury some time during
Tuesday afternoon.
GRAND JURY MAY INVESTIGATE
What the district attorneys office
will do in the cases OF Sweet and Bacon
is under advisement.- but after consul
tation with Special Prosecutor Hiram
Johnson, who is acting with Assistant
District Attorney James Hanley in the
case. it may be decided to call the two
men before the grand jury for exam
| ination in an effort to secure their in
dictment on the charge upon which
| Lynch was convicted and Rankin is
now being tried.
| Lynch related yesterday. under
Drews questions. that he was at the
Key Route inn, where he lodged, Au-
gust %, when Rankin phoned him
there telling him that Burke Corbet
| and Downey Harvey had been to his
Office and that he expected trouble.
Rankin phoned. however. that he
thought he would be able to stave off
any ENHANCEMENT.
"BILLY WILL EXPLAIN
Rankin referred to Sweet in the con-
versation. Lynch said, saying that
BILLY will be over this evening and
Will explain things to you
Was there any conversation between
you and Rankin after your return from
Reno:" Hiram Johnson asked.
Yes, 1 telephoned to him and asked
for $500. and he said, BY all means
keep your mouth shut Attorneys are
being secured to defend YOU "
I The witness was cross examined by
Drew the remainder of the morning.
He said that he had become tired of
| the county Jail and had telephoned
Dennis Duffey. Johnson's partner, and
said that he would testify fully and
truthfully on the stand in the Rankin
! trial, providing the attorney would use
| his influence for him.
HOPES FOR COMMUTATION
Personally believe I was the fall
guy and L think l should do all possi-
BILE to extricate myself from the diff
culties in which / find myself Lynch
said. He declared that the district at
| torney had promised nothing, but had
stated that he would not oppose any
motion for a commutation of sentence.
Corbet promised he would go to the
/ governor with request for a pardon
! IL the II bonds now held, it is thougSt,
/ by Sweet Bacon and Rankin, could be
! found by Lynch.
Assistant District Attorney Hanley
/ said to me that. so far as the district
| attorney was concerned. he could not
make fish of one and fowl of the
other Lynch stated, $50 he could not
petition for either a pardon or a COM
mutation of sentence"
LECTURES IN EDITORS BEHALF-Luells
Twnng. the woman representative of the west