Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-10
DID NOT LEND NAMES
Were National Trust Co. Di-
rectors Without Consent.
TWO WITNESSES TESTIFY
H. B. Moulton and J. K. Polk Tell of
Acquaintance With Huston.
CLERK IDENTIFIES LETTERS
Stenographer Describes Different
Forms of Letterheads Used
by Concern.
CLERK IDENTIFIES

That it was without their authority
that their names appeared as members
of the board of directors of the National
Trust Company was asserted by Hosea
+. Moulton lawyer, and James X.
Polk. two witnesses, testifying today be-
fore Justice Wright and a jury in Grim
inal Court No. /, at the trial of James
n. Huston, former treasurer of the
United States; Harvey NJ. Lewis and
Everett Dufour. jointly indicted on
charge of conspiracy to use the mails to
defraud
Miss Mabel K. Hartley, stenographer,
employed by Lewis. explained in detail
the conduct of the business of the office
of the National Trust Company. She
said they used three different forms OF
letter heads in the office correspondence
She identified a number Of letters which,
it is claimed, passed between the Ma
tional Trust Company and applicants for
guaranty. by means of which the gov
eminent hopes to show the alleged con-
spiracy was indicated. Miss Hartley
also will be called on to identify certain
guaranty certificates said to have been
issued by the company, bearing the name
of Huston as president.
Attorney Moulton Testifes.
Attorney Moulton, whose name appears
as director, testified that he had held
stock of the National Trust Company,
paying $50 for it in 1903. Later he was
trust officer of the company, but resigned.
orally" in 1905. He never heard. he
said, of the National Trust Company of
Delaware. which, it is claimed. had a
capital stock Of S1,OOO,OOO.
Witness declared he never authorized
the use of his name as a director OF the
company subsequent to 1908.
Mr.. Polk, the next witness. had known
Huston since 1904. and was introduced by
him to Lewis In 1908 Huston and Lewis.
he said, called on him to see about pur-
chasing a corporation known as the Cor
poraton Trust Company, but witness did
not own a controlling interest in that con-
Germ.
Justice Wright here sustained an OBJ
lection by Attorney Henry E. Davis as
to further testimony concerning that COM
pany. as its name does not appear in the
indictment.
Continuing. the witness said Huston in
formed him that he and Lewis were about
to embark in a business of guaranteeing
stocks and bonds, remarking:
1T is a very good business"
In December, 1905. Mr.. Polk said he
was informed he had been named a di-
rector in the Delaware corporation. He
declared he declined to serve, but agreed
to attend the meetings to perfect organi-
Zation. Immediately after this mAeting,
he said. he resigned.
In 1909. he stated. he was shown a
letterhead containing his name. He de-
clared the use unauthorized.
Huston Enthusiastic, Says Polk.
On cross-examination Mr. Polk said
Huston was enthusiastic as to the line
Of business adopted by the defendants
and declared other companies were
making money at it.
"AS a lawyer, you saw nothing IL
legal about the business?" inquired Attor
ney Conrad H. Syme, representing Mr..
Huston.
1.-The business was legal and legiti-
mate" responded the witness, who pro-
ceeded to remark that 1t is not un-
common for one corporation to issue
stock in exchange for property owned
by another corporation.
One of the governments claims is that
the National Trust Company of Delaware
had no capital but its interest in the Ma
tional Trust Company OF Washington.
Miss Hartley, employed as stenographer
by Lewis in 1908, was next called to the
witness stand. She saw Huston at the
Office Of Lewis on several occasions, she
testified. Huston just sat around the Of
flee. she said. She never saw any books
of accounts or ledgers. she stated, but
identified lists of names. bearing the
number by which Mr.. Dufour was known.