Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-14
POLICEMEN AT Odds miller PLEA ALL IN
elliott of Anacostia Force Is Jury Now Deiberatng Upon
Given "Slence' Its Verdict.
VESTIGATlON UNDER WAY DAVIS CLOSES ARGUMENT
Those Who Will No. Speak Him Declares Defendant Position
Justify Course sapegoat
CRITICISM RESENTED HE DENIES ANY WR0NGD0IE0
Suggested Rene O'Clock
of Trouble Jury
Jury Now Deiiberating Upon
Its Verdict.
DAVIS CLOSES ARGUMENT
Declares Defendant Is in Position Of
Scapegoat.
HE DENIES ANY WRONGDoIN0
Judges Charge Delivered at 80
O'Clock and Case Given to
Jury Soon After.

Before today is ended. probably. ].
Barton Miller. former secretsry-treasure
o. the defunct FRS, Cooperative Build
Ing Association OF Georgetown. will know
whether jury of his peers believes
him guilty OF embarrassment OF the funds
OF that organization
The Miller trial before Justice Stafford,
in Criminal Court No = reached its end
late this afternoon. The final arguments
OF Attorneys I.askey and Davis for thu
defense and of District Attorney Wilson
for the government were presented be-
fore the jury.
Case Given to Jury.
With the delivery of the charge ~
Justice Stafford the twelve men who are
to determine Miiiers guilt or innocence
began their deliberations.
1t was the general impression that the
jury would no. be out for long period.
As result large number OF those in
terested in the outcome OF the case de-
termfned to wait in the courtroom 10
witness the final stage OF the trial.
The detailed summing up by Assistant
District Attorney Proctor was finished
late yesterday afternoon. The answer
ing argument of Attorney John 4. las
key. in Mil!ers behalf, was begun ana
finished this morning.
Argument OF KILLERS Counsel.
Il am sure YOU will find as you delve
into the intricate transa ctions carried
into this case, said Mr.. Laskeg, ''that 4.
every instance particular proof is lacking
where particular offense is alleged.
1T is easy for the government to say
that there must he. = I:,an .nIa-zz....;l,-...
hoea fail 20 fph So
In the cash book which would correspond
to money OF checks which. II has been
shown the defendant received in his ca
pacity as secretary-treasurer OF the build
ing association.
Davis Denies All Vrongdoing.
A fervent appeal for justice for Miller
was made by Attorney Henry T.. Davis
in his closing argument for the defense.
MIR. Davis attacked what he characterized
as the overzeal of the government in its
declaration that the board OF directors
OF the association was a. board in name
only, and that j. Barton Miller was tire
whole association.
.It has been stated in evidence. and
not contradicted," said Mr.. Davis, that
In July. 1907. when it became known
that the First Cooperative Build
ing Association was In difficulties.
the reason was that small investors In
panic were clamcring for their money.
Yet the government would have you be-
Ee,e that the other building associations
in the city, in coming to the aid OF the
cooperative association, were actuated
largely by philanthropic motives. tell
you they were actuated by that most
compelling of all motives to human ac-
tion-fear'
Mr.. Davis referred to the spectacular
failure OF the late Thomas Il. Waggaman
as the cause of the panic among the
Georgetown Investors.
Miller's Plan to Save Concern.
4 point of material value to the defense
was made by Mr.. Davis when he sail
that the plan to exchange the loans OF
the cooperative association was not tho
plan of Mr.. Miller
1t was his idea to go to other associA-
tons and obtain loans on the collateral Of
the association. If that had been done II
would have thrown the books OF the asso-
citation open on the counter before the
other associations and subject TO tho
scrutiny Of all manner OF trained ac-
couatants 1t is beyond human BELIEF
that money could be raised by this sys-
tenn without discrepancies being found IA
the associations affairs, II SUCH osscrep-
ancies existed
"Scapegoat," Says Davis.
Mr.. Davis declared that when the First
Cooperative Building Association got
into difficulties the directors delegated 10
Miller the task of trying to "hew way
out OF the forest Of financial troubles.
"A scapegoat had to be found some
where" Mr.. Davis said. The enors
here is to place j. Barton Miller in that
character. Yet declare to you there Is
no evidence of single person who was
injured in any way. or single person
who lost a penny through the actions o.
this defendant
MIR. Davis concluded his argument a.
1910 O'Clock the usual recess hour.
Justice Stafford ordered recess untlI
1.:O o'clock Shortly after that hour tas
case vas given to the jury.