Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-20
CARLSON TRIAL
DRAWS TO END
ARGUMENTS ARE BEGUN IN
FALSE ENTRY CASE
BANKER STARTS HIS ADDRESS
TO THE JURY
This Morning viii See Close of the
Long Hearne-Defendan De-
clares He Has Been
Hounded

The trial of William II. Carlson,
$4,000 on the books of the Consolidated
bank December 28 1907, was conclud-
ed, so far as the taking of testimony
was concerned, shortly after o'clock
yesterday, and the opening argument
to the jury was begun by Deputy Dis
trict Attorney Frank Blair, who for
months has been laboring almost in
cessantly to bring about a successful
prosecution. Prosecutor Blair finished
his address about 4 O'Clock, when Carl
son began his reply, which he had
not concluded when court adjourned
at o'clock. The session today viii
open at $3.50 o'clock, and Carlson will
continue his argument, speaking for
ty-five minutes, when Deputy Blair
will begin his closing argument, con-
Stunning the same length Of time. The
case will go to the jury about noon
today.
Carlson in his defense yesterday
placed his son, w. H. Carlson, jr., on
the witness stand to testify especially
concerning the $4,000 and $4,000 notes
bearing the signatures of George Gray
son and H. J. Wilson, stablemen, who
claimed they affixed their signatures
reservations that they were articles Of
interpretations
The witness stated the notes had not
only been read by his father to Gray
son and Wilson, but the purpose for
which the money was to be used was
explained, namely, the purchase of ma
terial for the construction of the Re-
dondo, Hermosa and Belvidere road.
Grayson was called later in rebuttal,
denying the testimony Of young Carl
son and still contending he knew
nothing about the notes until he was
summoned as a witness several weeks
ago.
In response to a question by his
father, young Carlson stated a box of
cigars had been left at the stable as
consideration for the signing of the
notes.
Claims Nothing Shown
In his argument, Deputy Blair attrib-
uted to Carlson a purpose in his ques-
tions to witnesses to throw dust in the
eyes of the jury. "He came in here
with a flourish Of trumpets and prom
ises to show certain things he never
did show and never could show" de-
clared the prosecutor. His whole
scheme is revealed by the books of the
bank in figures that cannot be re-
futed."
He gave a history of the case from
the transcript of the testimony, show
ing that Carlson had placed a draft
for $4,000 drawn on the Ralston Realty
company of San Diego in the banks
drawer in December, 1907 and had re-
placed it from time to time with SINH
lar drafts until the following May,
when it was forwarded for collection
and returned unpaid.
As to the notes signed by the stable
men, the prosecutor stated they repre-
sented nothing more nor less than an
embezzlement Of the banks funds,
Carlson, in response to the argument
OF Deputy Blair laid particular stress
on the testimony of Samuel Ferry
Smith, attorney and one-time business
agent for the Ralston Realty company.
Smith, he said, testified the draft
would have been paid were It not for
the financial stringency existing at the
time it was drawn.
There are now in San Diego credits
due the Carlson Investment company
amounting to $4,000" said Carlson.
This is almost enough to purchase
the assets of the Consolidated bank,
which have been offered by the re-
ceiver for $4,000"
He declared he had been bounded
sufficiently during the past year to
drive any man insane.
When seen after the adjournment of
court. Evan Lewis received of the Con-
solidated bank, stated the outstanding
notes held by the bank against the
various Carlson companies aggregate
in amount more than $4,000, and he
expressed the belief nothing could be
realized on them. Little, if any money,
said the receiver, has been received by
him since the first dividend of 20 per
cent to depOsitors was paid several
weeks ago.