Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-30
Inspector Keene Testifies in
Conspiracy Hearing.
OUTLINE OF THE CHARGES
interviews With Lewis, Huston and
Dufour, Who Are on Trial.
RESULT OF HIS INVESTIGATION
Alleged Connection Of Defendants
With National Trust and Mutual
Securities Companies.

Chief Post ONCE Inspector Carter B.
Keene was the principal witness today
for the prosecution at the trial OF
James N. Huston, Harvey NJ. Lewis and
Everett Dufour, for alleged conspiracy,
in Criminal Court No. /, before Justice
Wright and a jury. He detailed his IN
vestigation Of complaints made against
Dufour and the National Trust Com
pany, from their inception to the arrest
Of Lewis, September 81, 1909.
Contrary to expectations, the govern
ment did not conclude this afternoon the
Introduction Of its testimony In chief. It
is thought to he likely that the prosecu-
ton will rest by noon tomorrow.
Inspector Keene stated that he first
saw Dufour respecting the matters con-
nected with the alleged conspiracy in
November, 1903. when investigating a
complaint made by H. E. Swan Of Mus
kogee, Okla.
He declared Dufour stated that Mr..
Swan was unreasonable in his exactions.
and that Dufour had experienced con-
ness between them. The witness said
Dufour admitted he knew Lewis and had
transacted some business through the
National Trust Comp any.
At a later interview, witness stated,
Dufour denied, when first asked, that he
had known anything about the Mutual
Securities Company until the hearing was
had before Commissioner Taylor in Sep
TENDER, 1909.
Claimed to Be Employe.
Later Dufour said, according to the
witness, he might be said to have some
connection with it, and then admitted
he was manager Of the concern. stating
he had been employed to act In such
capacity by a man named White and a
man named Pierce. who promised to pay
him 800 for his services. Keene said Du-
four told him he did not know where they
could be found.
Dufour denied, declared Mr.. keene,
that he had anything to do with the rent,
ing of the offices occupied by the MUTUAL
Securities Company In the Knickerbocker
and Equitable buildings in Baltimore
Continuing his testimony, Inspector
Keene told Of interviews with Lewis,
and stated that Lewis declared he mere
pany in the capacity of q broker, Voiun-
teering the statement that a Mr.. DIX
was in charge Of the concern. The first
intimation Lewis had of any connection
Of Dufour with the Mutual Securities
Company, witness said he told him,
was when Mr.. Wright OF the Cresco
Corset Company came to the Of11ce OF
the National Trust Company, and. while
there, called up on the telephone the
Mutual Securities Company and asked
for Mr.. Dufour.
Several days after the indictments We're
returned witness saw Mr.. Huston In Rfc1-
mond, Va. Mr.. Huston. according to the
witness, was evidently on his way to
Washington. having already purchased a
ticket for this city. lawyer was In the
company oe Mr.. Huston and discouraged
any conversation on the part OF MT. Hus'
ton with the inspector.
Mr., Keene said Mr.. Huston was not
placed under arrest, but on the way to
Washington told witness that he had IN
August resigned from, the presidency OF
the National Trust Company Of Wash
ington to become president of the Ma
tional Trust Company Of Delaware.
Mr.. Huston. witness said. declared
Mr.. Lewis had been friend to MIN ana
that he had been hard up and was
given money by Lewis to assist him in
his financial straits to the amount OF
about $500 or $500.