The Detroit times., 1911-07-07
SAYS BATTLE CREEK
CRIMINALS ARE
ORGANIZED
Witness in Powers Case Tells of the
Crooks Protective Association,
Which Hires Lawyers To
Fight Prosecute
Defendant, Examined by Father,
Offers Strong Testimony in Sup
port Of Aiibi.

The government rested its case
against Leslie Powers. charged In
Judge Angell's court with viola
tion of the postal laws, at io:Se,
Friday morning, and the defense
called the defendant TO the stand.
Young Powers testimony gave the
lie to almost all the statements
made by the Witnesses for the govern
ment.
Powers was examined by his father
and made an excellent Witness DE
answered questions In q concise way
and without hesitation. He testified
that at the Time the money order
blanks were taken from the Battle
Creek postofiice sub-station, he was
away on hunting trip. He told In
minute detail his every movement
from Saturday, April %, until the fol-
lowing Monday. AS II Is known that
the theft was committed on Sunday,
April "a, II Powers testimony cannot
be refuted, he has a well-established
alibi.
a decidedly different manner was en-
ployed than when interrogating the
other witnesses. Usually grun In
voice and manner, Mr.. Powers spoke
more softly and there was a notice;
able tenderness In his voice whenever
he began his question with his sons
given name. There was a hush in
the court room when the, attorney
questioned his son concerning the lat
ters brother who died just recently.
Both the questioner and the witness
spoke In low tones, and there were
tears In their eyes
Not only did young Powers insist
that he was out of town at the time
the orders were stolen, but he posi-
lively denied much of the testimony
offered by the governments witnesses.
Prosecuting Attorney Cavanagh. of
Battle Creek, was one Of the first wit
nesses for the defendant. He stated
that he had had no dealings with
Powers that bore upon this case at
all.
Martin King Is the latest young man
to be involved In the case. He~was
recently paroled from the prison In
Ionia. Through him II was learned
that there Is an organization In Battle
Creek, known as the Crooks Protec-
tive association. Powers say the or
ganization has an Official pin, but King
denies this.
When did you join this associa-
tion?" King was asked.
why, L didn't have to join. I was
a charter member" he replied.
He named several other young men
OF Battle Creek who were also In the !
oo9 lot nd rhA faA tr,i
join.
Kings reason for this applicant being !
turned down.
King claims that lawyers are re-
tanned for the defense OF this band. |
The lawyers defend members IL they
are not caught with the goods, and
get them as light sentence as pos
sible II they are convicted. King says
that Powers was member OF the "as-
ISOLATION"
Powers says that King told him the
headquarters Of the organization were
In Toledo, and asked him to join, say
ing that he would tell him all about
1t when once he got in. Powers says
that he absolutely refused to have
anything to do with the organization.
King has proven TO be the govern
ment's star witness. A bad actor"
for some time in Battle Creek. he has
lately been paroled from the Ionia in
stitution, and now for the sake of his /
widowed mother. he Is making brave |
attempt to live down his past, he says
He Is boyish-looking young fellow
with a ruddy complexion, and like all
the other young men concerned, has
not the scars OF the hardened Grim
inal. His testimony is apparently
frank and without attempt at conceal
Ing any OF his past record He claims
that Powers handed him the stolen
money order blanks.
The case will probably 60 to the
jury. Friday afternoon.