Evening star., 1909-05-09
ARGUMENT BEGINS MONDAY
Government Rests After Calling Ten
Witnesses in Rebuttal.
CoACHMAN RECALLED TO STAND
Qualities His Statement About Al
legged Stolen Letter and It's Use
by Senator Taliaferro.

SAVANNAH. Ca, May S.-Evidence
ended in the trial of the American Naval
Stores Company, the National Transpor-
tation and Terminal Company of New
Jersey and officers of the former in the
United States court here today. Argument
will begin Monday morning.
The defense closed soon after the ses-
sion of the court opened this morning.
Judge Samuel B. Adams read a contract
about which much has been said in the
case and then announced the end of the
evidence of the defense.
Because J. F. Cooper Myers, one of
the defendants, had not been called to
the stand, the announcement caused rip
pie of surprise. Counsel stated that the
defense did not consider that any of the
defendants had been connected with a
conspiracy to do the things charged and
specially was there a lack of evidence
against Mr.. Myers. This was the rea-
son he was not put up.
Without a minutes delay the govern
ment began the calling of witnesses in
rebuttal Ten witnesses were called to
the stand, examined and excused in an
hour.
The government rested and there was
nothing more from the defense. A short
recess ensued and Judge Adams renewed
his motion for the court to direct a ver-
dict in favor Of all of the defendants. 1t
was not argued fully. Judge Sheppard
overruled the motion, as in the previuos
instance.
President Coachman Recalled.
Walter F. Coachman Of Jacksonville,
- fnA
Stores Company, was recalled by the
prosecution to rebut the testimony of s.
P. Shotter and George NJ. Boardman. In
regard to the contract of the Shotter Com
pany and Patterson-Downing Company
with the Consolidated, Mr.. Coachman said
there were two objections to 1t at the time
1t was signed, but he was then only vice
president of his company. He said ne
knew nothing about any manipulation OF
the Savannah market early in 1908.
Mr.. Toomer read portions OF the Board
man letter. which purported to record Mr..
Coachman's conversation in New York
with Mr. Boardman. The witness was
quoted in the letter as saying that II
the Toomer turpentine at Fernandina
was sold at price which left no equity
for the Naval Stores Export Company
that company would be wiped out and
would not have to be reckoned with any
more.
Hdl is dDSUIutcly Sdlu MI
Coachman; Il did not make that state
ment''
He said that Mr.. Boardman himself
made those remarks in the course of their
conversation.
Qualities His Statement.
The witness said he wanted to qualify
his statement about the alleged stolen
letter and the use of it in Congress by
Senator Taliaferro. He said he saw In
the Congressional Record that such a
letter had been made use Of in some of
the congressional committee. Personally
he did not attend the meetings and did
not know whether Senator Taliaferro SUBJ
mitted the letter or not.
The other witnesses who were called in
rebuttal were Charles Smith. inspector,
who is the maker of the standard types;
David Hill of Brooklyn, laborer: E. c.
Patterson of Jacksonville, Walter O'keefe
of Brooklyn, George F. White, S. II.
Oliver of Pooler and s. A. Afford.