Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-04-15
Gives His Version Of His
Dealings 10 Apples,
Denies All Intent Of Using the
Z, Mails TO Detraud. :
Admits Handling Apples for Others
And Making Advances.

Boston, April I.-Yesterday was the
most interesting of any day thus far
In the trial of Walter Mills, charged
with improperly using the mails.
| the croSs-eXamination of William
| Dillon. the expert who examined Mr.
Mills books, was begun by II. V. Gun
nlhshan for the defence as soon as
Judge Dodge had opened the United
| states district court. Witness testified
that Mills brought all his books for ex-
animation, and was always ready to
produce anything desired so far as he
! was able
| This closed the evidence for the gov
eminent, and Mr. Cunningham at once
made his opening statement for the de-
fence. THE only question is issue" he
said, lis whether Mr.. Mills started out
in deliberate scheme to obtain apples
| and not pay for them, and having
formed this scheme used the country's
mails to carry it out; and the fact that
the defendant had received and sold
apples and failed to pay for them has
(nothing to do with the case"
The first witness for the defence,
Arthur +. Blanchard of Maine, testi-
fed that he had dealings with Mills in
| the season of 1906, selling him 5000
barrels of apples at SO a barrel, and
promptly receiving $4,000 in payment
He had done nothing with Mills since.
the sole reason being that he could not
obtain the grade of apples desired.
| Walter Mills testified at length in
| his own behalf. He came to Boston,
he said, in 1895 and entered into the
apple business exclusively, acting as
agent for his father, John Mills, until
| 1861.
| My main purpose" he said, "was to
! sell abroad-selling in America only
when the market here was better. In
soliciting trade / usually began in July
| through agents, to or through whom
wrote from England, coming over my
| self later in the season and going
| among the people who had apples to
induce them to ship to me-
| Il did business in the same way in
the season of 19o7-S. I came over in
June, 1907, landing in Montreal and
spending some time in Ontario arriv-
ing in Boston in October. I had made
| arrangements abroad with firms to
which I might ship apples There was
about $500 due to American shippers
from mills IL Co." which, after the
death OF my partner. Goodnow, l had
to assume. When I came over that
year L had $1,000, the proceeds of a loan
from friend in London.
Il found a pile of letters awaiting
me from former customers, and the
first thing T did was to answer them.
Then T made a trip to Maine to see
them. 1 met Mr. Thompson and ar
ranged with him to handle my apples
at 10 cents barrel, telling him that
if found the Baltimore market better
than that abroad l would sell there.
also made arrangements with other
agents.
The government having introduced
and commented upon certain letters,
circulars and quotations from defend
ant in 1918, Mr.. Cunningham offered
letters from John Mills of Manches-
ter, Eng. to show that the defendant
statements at that time were true
They were objected to by Assistant
District Attorney Sullivan, on the
ground that they were not found by
the governments officers among de-
PENDANTS papers, had not been eXhib-
tied before, and that letters said to be
written by buyers abroad should not
be admitted He said that the men
themselves should appear. The letters
were admitted
Vouchers for freight bills paid by
witness and by Agent Tilton were pro
duccd and identified. as were the can
nual circular of 1907 and a large num-
Der Of sheets of daily quotations, basct
on information from the Boston Cham
Der of Commerce.
Witness continued: During tho sea
son If 1918 unlimited quantities o
apples were offered me if I would guar
antce a certain price, but I told the
parties I couldn't do it, We did guar
antee a few, a small proportion, per
haps 500 or 1000 barrels. When the mar
kct was brisk we would advance per
maps IS cents q barrel; when 1t wa!
slow we would advance % cents.
when T was arrested in New YOrl
T offered TO come the next morning, ant
did. When I arrived hero 1 found tina
very action there amounted to my
waving examination in court in Bos
ton. and as n consequence. the frs
| heard of the evidence in the case'Wa
during this trial.
Letters from John Mills of dates o
Sept. /. Sept II and Dec. 4. were iden
tilted by witness. They contained ac
acknowledgements of shipments received
and gave notice OF advances sent II
| Davlnent. Witness was asked II nj
hooks contained credits of the various
amounts, and upon replying that he az
NOT know. he was notified to have Shi
, books in court Wednesday. when tn