The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-01-20
Investigation In New York
and Washington
LAWYERS TRY TO THWART
The Government-Seek to Make 1t Show
Its Hand--A Very Interesting
Legal Battle Is
On.

Washington, Jan 20.--When the fed
eral grand jury which is investigating
the alleged libel case against the New
York World and the indianapolis News
met yesterday, Charles p. Taft, broth
er of President-elect Taft was ready
to appear as witness in answer to q
subpoena served on him in Augusta.
Others summoned are former Wash
ington correspondent Of the World, and
men now connected with that papers
Washington bureau. jeremiah "A. Mat
thews, now of the New York sun bu-
reau in this city, but formerly Wash
ington correspondent Of the Indianapolis
Nws, Was the only witness TO appear
yesterday before the grand jury
Douglas Robinson, brother-in-law Of
President Roosevelt, Is here, presumably
in answer TO summons to appear be-
fore the grand jury. Delayan Smith,
publisher of the indianapolis News,
was ~ the city yesterday, but went to
New York.
Libel, where malicious intent to in
jnre Is supposed to exist, ii criminal
ofiense in the District of Columbia. Dis
triet Attorney Baker il besing this case
on the ground that an alleged crime
against citizens Of the United States
has been brought to his attention, and
that it IL his duty to investigate and
bring TO trial the person or persons
supposed to be guilty Of the alleged
crime.
The corridors in the United States
court house swarrned with newspaper
men and others. summoned to give tes-
timony before the grand jury. III ad-
dition to the Washington correspon-
dents subpoenaed. there were on hand
A. w. Tracy, assistant TO MFR. Horna-
day, Of the Indianapolis News; Doug
las Robinson, the presidents brother
in.Iaw; II. p. Taft, manager Of the
Western Union Telegraph company; j.
NJ. Dunbar, John H. Becker and i. OF
Springer. local newsdealers, and Will.
liam Smith, naws hoy.
Mr.. Robinson was the first witness
For long time preceding the giving
of his testimony He was eloscted with
District Attorney Baker He was in
the grand jury room only Ave minutes
Mr.. Taft refused to produce copies of
any kilograms or give any evidence
without an order of the court, pleading
that kilograms were of private nature
In consequence the grand jury. accom-
panied by District Attorney Baker and
with Mr.. Taft in custody, proceeded TO
the criminal court, where Justice Gould
issued the necessary order. The jury
tEen went back to their room and Mr..
Taft underwent bis examination.
Otto Carmichael, the head of the
Washington bureau OF the New York
World, was subjected to rigid exami-
nation. He identified certain editions
OF the New York World and steories
appearing in them bearing ON the Pana
ma canal purchase. His assistants.
Messrs. Albert and Conway, were call
ed and gave corroborative testimony.
Following the testimony OF news
deslers as to the sale Of copies Of the
New York World of the dates named
in the subpoena, Charles p. Taft en-
tered the grand jury room. His testi
inong consumed but Ave minutes. He
then departed, refusing to discuss the
case
James p HoTnaday's testimony was
confined 10 the fact that he was the
correspondent Of the In.
dianapolis News and to the identih-
cation Of files of his paper. The grand
jury then adjourned until tomorrow.