The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-27
Damaging Testimony Brought
Out i'm First Days Work.
A PRIVATE COMPANY.
Officers Form Concern to Repair
/. C. Bad Order Cars.
Other Items of General Inter-
est i'm Traffic World.

Chicago, Aug. 27.-Attorneys for three
former high officials of the Illinois Cen
trail railroad, Frank B. Hartman, for
merly general manager; John M. Tay-
lor, storekeepcr. and Charles L. Owing,
superintendent of the lines north of the
Ohio river, received a setback on the
first day of their criminal trial when
Judge Brnggemeyer refused the de-
PENDANTS a bill of particulars or a
change of venue. The men are charg-
ed with participating in frauds by
which the railroad company is alleged
to have been mulcted out of more than
$1,000,000 through inflated car repair
bills.
Despite objections by attorneys for the
defense, names of Ira G. Rawn, former
president of the Monon route, who met
death recently by bullet wound, j.
e. Buker ana William Renshaw, for
mer superintendent of machinery of the
Illinois Central were brought into the
case in the testimony of Theophile
Reuther, formerly general manager of
the Ostern1an Car company, now en-
ployed as a locomotive engineer for the
Illinois Central road. His testimony
was placed on the record but Judge
Bruggemeyer asserted it might be
stricken out later If attorneys for the
prosecution failed to prove its mater
ial.
Reuther testified as to the organized
of the Osterman company, a concern to
which Illinois Central cars were sent
for repairs. He declared he had been
oustcd from his position as general
manager and director, that John M.
Taylor. one of the defendants, might
be made director. He declared the COM
pany was organized in 1906 to make
grain doors, that it later made cement
blocks and subsequently entered the
business of repairing cars for the Hill
nois Central.
Did Mr.. Taylor become financially
interested in the company" asked At
torney Walter l.. Fisher, who is aiding
Assistant States Attorney Barnes.
Yes, he became a stockholder,' an
swered Mr.. Reuther. Counsel for the
defense here sought to prevent further
examination of the witness, citing
that the Osterman company was not
on trial.
What do you expect to prove of this
witness?" was asked of Mr.. Fisher.
81 mean to show" he answered, that
material was sent the Osterman COM
pany by Taylor, which was not paid
for and that fraudulent bills subse-
Quent1y were rendered, that the Hill
Z DIS Central company paid
Reuther then narrated conversation
he declared OSterman had held with
him, in which the car company head
told Of presenting Taylor with a block
of 1000 shares in the company adding
IndC ne WOuIQ PTSSCll d OiOOA
to Ira C. Rawn, at that time vice pres
ident Of the road, Frank B. Hartman.
J. E. Buker, assistant superintendent
of machinery and to Renshaw, superin-
tendent OF machinery Of the Illinois
Central
Reuther was permitted to continue his
narrative, and said:
Zone day I was walking through the
yards with Osterman when we came
upon a huge pile of lumber. He point
ed to 1t and said:
How much do you think that pile
of lumber is worth, ReutherT
IT told him did not know and asked
him where he expected to get the money
to pay for it.
He replied that the lumber was
worth at least $4,000 and said he would
get the money to pay for it. A while
later we came upon many tiers Of brass
journals and other brass car parts he
said:
"sThare is some easy money
ct said he had better look out for
that easy money business or that he
would get into trouble. Osterman re-
piled:
oh. Taylor will take care Of that "