The Washington times., 1910-06-06
Former President of Build
ing Association TestiheS
II EmbeZZlement Case.
HUNDRED TALESMEN
EXAMINED FOR JURY
Connection of Accused With At
fairs of Concern Outlined
In Detail.

From the lips OF William G. Wagner,
former president OF the First CO.
Operative Building Association OF
Georgetown. the jury in Criminal Court
No. ?, trying John Barton Miller on
charges Of extensive embezZlements,
learned today Of NIiller's connection with
the affairs Of the building association
whose accounts were found more than
10000 short.
Mr.. Wagner's testimony consumed
most of the morning He was followed
by James II. Lee. auditor Of the assO-
citation. who supplemented the testimony
given by Mr. Wagner.
Although the trial OF Miller really be-
gan last Monday, four days were con-
sumed and more than 100 talesmen were
examined before d jury could be OBJ
tsined. and 1t was not until this morn
ing that the trial proper began.
Says Miller Had Combination.
When frst placed on the stand Mr..
Wagner declared that so far as he
knew, Miller wGs the sole pOssessor Of
the combination of the associations 5
safe
He detailed the report submitted by
Miller TO the 200 stockholders Of the de-
the crash came which fatally involved
the fortunes Of the association and in
which Miller, he said, declared that the
association was thoroughly solvent
He offered 20 tie jury the eXplana-
tiOn made by Miller for the financial
trouble in which the association found
itself, and went thoroughly into a de-
tailed description Of Millers duties as
an officer Of the concern.
Mr.. Wagner, who for many years
had been vice president Of the asso-
ciatOn, and who from June. 1907, 20
June, 1898. was its president. was the
hrst witness placed on the stand this
morning, following the opening state
ment made by District Attorney Clar-
ence r. Wilson
Mr.. Wilson outlined the case by
which the Government is endeavOTing
TO prove that the money missing from
the associations funds was taken by
Miller.
Miller's Duties Explained
In answer to questions by James
NJ Proctor, assistant 10 the District
Attorney, Mr.. Wagner declared that
Miller wrote all the records Of the
association, kept the accounts, and
received all money for the association
during the two years in which he was
secretary and treasurer. He testified
that he believed no loans were made
while Miller neId that position. Mr.
Proctor then began a direct examiua-
tiop.
Q.-How were the funds Of the as
sociatiOn dispenser
A-By check on the Farmers and Ne
chanics' Bank of Georgetown.
Q--By whom would checks be signed
when deposits were made2
A.--By the president and the secre-
Iary-treasureT.
Mr.. Wagner declared that he had seen
the defendant open the safe OF the as
sociatiOn in the offices on Wisconsin
avenue and believed that Miller was
the only man who mad the cOmbina-
ton
Q.-Who actually attended to the af-
fairs Of the association during 1907?
A-Mr. Miller
Odd you ever discuss the condition
Of the association with Mr.. Miller?
Miller's Explanation Of Trouble.
A.-Mr- MILLER always stated that the
association was in good condition and
that the trouble was occasioned by
stockholders wishing 10 withdraw their
stock and funds not coming in fast
enough.
Q-what was the trouble OF which
you speak2
A--The trouble was that during 1907
stockholders could come in and give
thirty days notice and get their stock,
and while the association might only re-
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