Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-29
Government Strives to Show
Why Dufour Rejected Business
TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES
Trial Of Lewis, Huston and Dufour
on Conspiracy Charge.
CHOOSING THE GUARANTORS
Evidence Submitted to Show Con-
nection Of Defendants With Ma
tional Trust Companies.

That after declining to undertake the
sale OF stock unless guaranteed by a
trust company. Everett Dufour refused to
offer the stock for sale when the COM
pany selected by the applicant was not
one Of the several companies with which
the evidence has tended to prove Lewis
and Huston were connected. was the pur-
port OF the testimony offered by the gov
eminent today at the trial of Lewis.
Huston and Dufour for alleged con-
spiracy. before Justice Wright and jury
in Criminal Court No. I.
One witness testified that when the Ma
tional Trust Company was being consid-
cred as the guarantor, Dufour offered, if
the company were accepted, to put up
company.
Characterization. however, developed
tho fact that in the latter instance the
stock was a ready seller" and that. not
withstanding the fact it was unguaran-
teed, 1t was sold by others in this city
and that several prominent business men
OF Washington were its promoters. This
fact. the defense will claim, induced Du-
four to make the offer. in order that he
might secure an opportunity to make the
large commissions on the sales.
Reasons for Objections.
Respecting the alleged refusal to sell
stock, the cross-examination showed that
Dufour objected to the company selected
because 1t guaranteed only for twenty
years instead Of forty years. as the Ma
tional Trust Company did. From letters
written by Dufour it appeared that when
he learned that the president OF the conf
r,k% NIr % h~ 4wSto nl
suspected some connection between Du-
four and the National Trust Company
Mr.. Dufour refused to sell the stock
under any consideration.
The witnesses examined today were
Edward W. Shields, president Of Nazo
Company of New York, and Robert l..
Coffy Of Sturgis, KY. president of the
Crittendon Coal and Coke Company.
Interested In Incorporation.
Late yesterday afternoon John G.
Gray Of Delaware, formerly Of this
city, testified that he is president of
the Delaware Corporation Company
and that in 1909 he was visited by
Lewis and Huston and requested to
organize the National Trust Company
of Delaware for them.
This was done, he said, and at their re-
quest he acted as a statutory director.
although he never owned any stock and
never participated in any meeting of the
corporation.
William T. Smithers. secretary of state
Of Delaware, stated that he was called
upon by Lewis and Huston, who told
him what a fine company they had, and
stated that. being strangers in Delaware,
they were anxious to secure some one OF
prominence to become a director. Wit
ness said he declined, but at the urgent
solicitation Of Gen." Huston he guessed
- ss1oanod the nSe OF his name
Moore Also Consents.
David o. Moore, treasurer Of the state
Of Delaware, testified that while he did
not own any stock in the corporation
and knew nothing about it. except what
he was told by Lewis & Huston, he con-
scented to become a director.
On cross examination it was shown
that director was required by the law
OF Delaware to own three shares Of
stock.