Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-02
HUSTON IN own BEHALF
ON THE WITNESS STAND
Gives Evidence in Trial Under
indictment for Conspiracy. !.
- 3
Defense Opens.

James II. Huston, United states treas
urer from 1889 TO 1891, to-day took the
witness stand In; his own defense at his
trial for alleged conspiracy with Harvey
M. Lewis and Everett Dufour to use the
malls to defraud, which has been in
progress for three weeks before Justice
Wright and a jury in Criminal Court No.
!. He declared that he never saw Ev-
erett Dufour until he saw him in the
courtroom In this case, and never had
any communications with him.
He met Lewis in New York in 1906
and when he allowed his name to be used
in connection with the National Trust
Company he believed 1t TO be legitimate
proposition and feasible plan.
Mr.. Huston denied. making any Of the
representations alleged In the indictment
and said he had not the slightest tftl-
nation or knowledge that any such rep
reservations were In fact ever made.
Statements by Attorneys.
Attorney George C. Hoover outlined to
the jury the evidence to be adduced in
behalf Of the former treasurer. Attor-
ney John c. Cuttings, in benalf Of Everett
Dufour. told the jury the evidence he
expected would prove that his client
never had any understanding to snare
the fees that might be received by the
national Trust Company or others; that
his client knew Lewis only casually anu
had no acquaintance with Mr.. Huston.
MIR. Dutour being interested IN the SAFE
of guaranteed stock. said mis- attorney.
reao the literature of the National Trust
Company and was attracted to 1t by tine
name of huston. my client did no'
think" said Mr.. Gettinhs, "that MIR. Hus-
n n u
that was not all right
Dufour had no reason to believe that
he would be involved in any charge OF
conspiracy, the attorney said, and that
when he was seen shortly before the in.
dictment was returned he extended to
post Office inspectors an invitation to ex.
anime all Of his letters and ONCE papers
Attorney Henry Il. Davis, for the de-
dendant, Lewis. advised tie court that
in the condition of the case az 1t pre-
sents itself at this moment l shall stand
upon the record made by the government,
and will offer no evidence In behalf of
Lewis
Mr.. Huston's Testimony.
Mr. Huston said the first intimation
that an indictment was returned against
him he received from a newspaper clip.
ping sent him at West Point. Va.
He told the jury he was appointed
United States treasurer in 1889 by Presi
dent Harrison and served about twU
years. until his business interests n In
diana cal ed for his resignation. He gave
his business as q banker, at which he
said he had been employed twenty-five
years. In the panic of 1893, Mr.. Hust n
said, he placed en- the do Of his banx
q placard. Closed for liquidation" No
suits were ever brought against him, he
stated. because his creditors knew he
would settle. He reopened the bank In
the fall Of 1893 and continued until 1895
when he removed to New York.
He met Lewis there. he said, in 1905.
and at his request became president Of q
company with which Lewis was identi-
fed Mr.. Huston said he believed there
ex sted q worldwide market for guaran-
teed securities, and SO became inter ested
In the plan outlined by Lewis. AS he
was then engaged In real estate opera.
tons only he accepted the presidency OF
the National Trust Company OF Wash.
ington. which he later resigned to be-
come president Of the National Trust
Company OF Delaware.
The cross-examtnation Of Huston BY
Assistant United States Attorney Turner
began late this afternoon.