The Washington times., 1909-06-08
AFT TER POLITICIAN
IN THE SUGAR CASE
Trial Next Week Expected
to Involve an Influential
New Yorker.
DEFENDANTS RETAIN
EMINENT ATTORNEY
Attorney General Wickersham Is
Behind Prosecutions and Urges
Immediate Action.

NEW YORK. June S.-When the trial
OF the former employees of the Have
meyer refinery of the American Sugar
Refining Company, opens in the United
States court. in Manhattan, a week
from Thursday, the Government will
fire fits first gun for the conviction of
tae big chiefs OF what is alleged to
have been ono OF the most gigantic
conspiracies to defraud the Government
IN the history OF the customs service.
The men who VIII be placed on trial
with the exception OF Oliver Splitter. are
Of comparatively no Importance, but the
prosecution insists that If it can secure
convictions in these cases, it viii open
the trail direct TO TIE men who are re
sponsible for The frauds and who have
been financially benefited thereby.
The Man Higher Up.
While none of those connected with
the case win talk. there is no question
but that the attorneys for the prosecu-
ton, former United States District At
Jovney Stimson and former Assistant
District Attorney w. T. Denison, think
that they have a trump card up their
sleeves. They want TO involve a big
politician. of whose guilt they are NOR
ally certain, and they can only do so
through some Of the defendants in
these cases. To do this, they admit
they must get convictions on the minor
cases and every effort viii be made
10 prove the guilt of the men indicted
and IN order 20 do so a host of Secret
Service operatives has been working on
the case.
Their reports are now in the hands Of
Stfmson & Denison, who are going over
them carefully, and when the case is
called for trial, according to the reports
now In circulation, the evidence viii, it
il expected. be overwhelming
tt is admitted that the sugar COM
panys as corporation. will have no
part II the defense of its former en-
pioyes. and the question of who is
financing their defense Is one that Is
puzziing the prosecution.
Eminent Attorney Secured.
It Is understood that the services Of
an eminent criminal lawyer have been
secured TO defend the accused, and he
viii make mis- first appearance in the
cases when they are called for trial.
As both sides have notified the court
that they are ready, however. no delay
IS expected. and the trial viii be pushed
through.
As soon as 1t is concluded the Gov
eminent expects TO have its lines com
pieJed for further action, and viii go
y before the next grand jury, which Will
not meet until september WIN us
case against the men higher up. Until
that time there viii be little done. but
II IS admitted by those IL charge of the
prosecution that. If they secure convic-
1ions IN the minor cases, Incarceration
during the summer months may bring
some of the men concerned into frame
Of mind whereby they will put the
Government IN possession Of informa-
ton that VIII be very valuable.
The trials OF the accused, however,
would 20 over until fall as whole
were It not for the fnsistence OF At
1orney General Wickersham, who de-
mands that they be pushed through at
this time. Why there is need Of haste
no one here knows. but Wickersham
has taken a personal interest IN the
present prosecutions and has insisted
from the start that they be hurried
through.