New-York tribune., 1909-06-15
COPPER DIRECTOR UP
S. ROBINSON PLE1fDS NOT
GUILTY.
CHARGED stith Helping Clerk Who
kne1c About Com pdny's Books
to Flee to Canada.

Sanford Robinson. formerly director in the
United States Copper Company and personal
counsel for F Augustus Heinze. pleaded not
guilty before Judge Ray in the United States
District Court. yesterday to indictment charg-
ing that he had n1peded and obstructed the ad-
ministration Of justice. Mr. Robinsons counsel,
Joseph P. Cotton, jr, wanted ten days in which
to decide whether 10 demur TO the Indictment,
but the United States Attorney Henry A. Wise,
opposed this and Friday was set as the limit for
any action Mr. Cotton might wish to take. Rob
inson was paroled in Mr. Cottons custody until
that time.
This was the beginning OF the end of Mr..
Wises effort to get the books Of the United
Copper Company which he wished TO use in
his prosecution of F. Augustus Henze in con
nectior with the suspension of the Mercantile
National Bank. It is understood that other in
dictments will follow. and Yesterday the federal
grand jury had before it Otto Heinze and his
partner. Max H Sehutze. in its investigation of
the Mercantile Banks affairs. They we're sub
pGnaed 10 appear before the June grand jury,
which will be sworn in tomorrow.
The Indictment against Robinson was found
several days ago. and consisted Of three counts,
each charging that he prevented Joseph J.
kumb a deputy United States marshal from
serving subpoena on Tracy S. Buckingham
clerk employed in the offices of the United Cop
per Company, who was supposed to know where
the books were
In the indictment it was said that on May 2l,
when the deputy marshal went TO No. 4 Broad
way. the offices of the United Copper Company.
buckingham was there, but that Robinson did
'unawfully. knowingly and wilfuy obstruct.'
resist and oppose" him by advising Buckingham
TO "secrete and conceal himself and 70 depart
from this district 10 evade service. The paper
also says, in one of the counts, that. in addition
to the former methods Robiuson did 'corruptly'
connive Bucknghams evasion of service
This was supposed to refer to buckingham
flight to Canada and the furnishing Of the means
for him TO do so.
The whole proceedings before Judge Ray oc-
cupied less than ten minutes. Mr Wise at noon
teephored TO Mr.. Cotton TO appear with Robin
son in the afternoon, or, failing to do so. his
client would he arrested MIR. Cotton and Mr.
Robinson appeared much than expected
and at $50 o'clock trial for counterfeting be
fore Judge Ray was suspended and the plea
taken and the hearing set for Friday. Robinson
seemed calm and did not say a word in the
course of the proceedings
II learned Yesterday that Buckn CHAM
heard rumors in Canada that the disappea rance
of the books was being laid TO his departure
He took the first train back to this city. and y
was said informed the federal officials Of his re
turn. and was promptly served with subpoena.
The charge against Robinson Is based on Sec
tons 539S and 539a of the Revised Statutes,
making interference with an officer OF a courr
q penal offence. The three counts Of this indct-
ment carry a combined penalty Of eighteen
months I'm prison and fine OF 81 500.
It VAS the testimony before the grand Jury %
George Baglin. formerly a director and vice
president Of the United Copper Company, that
led to the summoning Of Robinson before the
court, his appearance before the grand jury and
refusal 10 testify on the ground that he was
counsel for Mr.. Heinze and as such could not
give evidence. Afterward he told the whole
story Of his connection with the dsa ppearanca
Of the books. This did stave Of the de
termination Of Mr.. Wise to have everybody pun
ished who had had anything TO do with the ef-
forts 10 withhold the books At a stoCkhoIderq'
meeting, two weeks ago, both BaElin and Rob
inson were dropped as directors OF the United
Copper Company.