New-York tribune., 1910-09-20
CA[LEDIT HOUSE MONEY
BedeIl Tells Court importers Paid
1t for Accommodations.
BUT IT WASN'T A BRIBE
Former Customs Employe, on
Trial for Defrauding Govern
ment, Testifies in Defence.

George E Bedel a former customs en-
ploye, who is on trial before Judge Martin
and jury in the United States Circuit
Court with two of his former associates
in the customs. Charles H. Wardell and
Charles D. Drew, yesterday took the wit
ness stand in his own defence
The three men were charged with con-
spring to defraud the United States gov
ernment by receiving money to procure the
underweighing of figs. cheese and other
products brought from Mediterranean ports
to this country.
Bedell denied emphatically that he had
ever Connived at defrauding the govern
ment, though he admitted he had received
what was known in the service as house
money" to facilitate for importers the re-
moval of their goods and other accommo-
dations Of the same nature
Henry L. Stimson, special United States
Attorney, at the opening of the court in
troduced. despite the protests of counsel
for the defendants, further tabuIated state
ments showing that after the discovery
of the alleged frauds the difference between
the weights stated in invoices and those
found by the government weighers had
been much more favorable to the govern
ment.
Henry F. CoChrane. attorney for Bedell
said at the outset that, so far as his client
was concerned, he would call some wit
nesses as to character, and then call
Bedell to testify in his own behalf
The Rev. DR.. Jesse Lyman Hulburt
President Ostes Of the Bloomfield National
Bank and president Of the Town Board of
Education. and other leading citizens of
Bedells home town-Bloomfeld, n. j.
testified to the high character of the de-
fendant in the community in which he
lived.
George z. Beden the defendant, man
slightly under medium height. with smooth
face and white hair gave his age as forty
four. After leaving Oberlin College, he
testified, he had taught school, and had
been principal of the school in his native
town-Augusta. n. J.-and head of the
school system of Suffolk County
For the last six years he has been a
member of the Board of Education of
Bloomfield. where he lives with his wife
and one child.
BedeI then told of his career in the
customs service. where he was success
sively an assistant weigher. a foreman of
weighers. and chief clerk in the office of
James F. Vail, formerely deputy surveyor
in charge Of weighing cargoes in the port
OF New York
"house money" accommodation
money! which was paid by importers and
warehousemen for obtaining quick delivery
of their goods and like services, he said the
custom was fairly general among the men
employed on the docks TO accept this
money. which amounted so far as he could
learn. to s. or so on each ship.
He said he had accepted payments of SO
but did not know he was violating a fed
eral statute in doing. He admitted that
Hyland, former witness, had paid him as
much as $50 on occasions. but denied II
was for underweighing.
"Hyland lied when he said he paid me
800 ar one time said the defendant. and
equally false was his statement that he
had paid ME 800 or $50 month"
Bedell also denied that he had entered
into any corrupt agreement with SAWYER.
the assistant veigher. as testified TO bv
that witness. and further denied any agree
ment or<conspiracy with his co-defendants.
Drew and Wardell.
When asked to whom he had first men
toned receiving house money he replied
Il first told Richard Parr" referring TO
the deputy surveyor who made the case
against the American Sugar Refining Com
pany for underweighing.
RedeIl also denied that he assigned
weighers to different districts That was
always done. he said by his superior Off
Ger. James F Vail. Beden will he cross
examined to-day