The Washington herald., 1911-10-18
KALBFUS GRILLED
ON DRURY DEALS
Maj. JudsOn Takes Hand i'll
PrOddmg Assessor.
WARNED mot TO SPECULATE"
Excise Board Methods Again I'm
der Fire at Commissioners Hear
Mining stock Sales Figure in
TestimOny-Odie's Notes Vanish.

Questioned closely as to some OF his
real estate transactions, in which local
brewer and the lattcr'S attorney also
figure, Samuel T. KaIbfuS. assistant as
SCISSOR and member of the excise board.
was on the witness stand yesterday at
the continued hearings held by the Dis
trict Commissioners TO investigate the
methods Of operation of the board. and
especially the so-called Horstmann- kalb-
fus charges.
Mr. Kalbfus took the stand only after
strong protest from Frank J. Hogan, his
counsel. 1t was expected that Peter A
Drury, president Of the Abner- Drury
Brewing Company, would be the first
witness called yesterday, but Assistant
Corporation Counsel White insisted that
Kalbfus take the stand. Mr. Drury
wanted to testify yesterday, so that he
might leave to attend the brewers con-
vention in Chicago to-day.
Odie's Notes Vanish.
Before Mr.. Kalbfus took the stand, F.
Oden Horstmann. former District saloon
inspector, who was the sole witness on
Monday, announced that he had been un-
able to find his notes regarding the KaIb-
fus matter, which he left at the White
House for the perusal of President Taft
to whom HOrstmann had reported being
fired"
The examination OF Mr.. Kalbfus b.
Mr.. White began with the question of
the loan of 5000 which Mr.. Drury made
TO the members of the excise board
Kalbfus said that he had been negotiat-
ing for a tract in Mount Airy. near Chevy
Chase, owned by Mrs. Edith Shoemaker
Black. He said that upon one Of his
visits to Mr.. Drury's home, he told the
brewer OF the property, and suggested
that II would be a beautiful place for a
residence. Mr.. Drury al once asked Kalb-
fus to purchase the land for him at a
stipulated figure. Kalbfus said that he
finally purchased the property but that
Drury refused to buy 1t, leaving Kalbfus
with the property on his own hands. To
close the deal $500 was needed, so Kalb-
fus, according to his own story, went to
NJ. j. Reane, the attorney for Kalbfus in
real estate matters. and asked him to
suggest some one from whom he could
borrow the needed amount Keane wen:
to Drury and obtained check for IT,
5000 and Kalbfus executed a trust deed
for the money.
kalbfus said that he had received about
$1,000. minus a trust Of 5000 from Mr..
Drury. The witness deposed that he de-
posted the check for 5000 in the Ma
tional Bank, of which Drury was then
president.
Judson Take Hand.
Kalbfus was then asked whether Mai
Judson had not warned him against
speCuIating in real estate. The witness
replied that the Commissioner had told
him he should be above criticism.
When asked why he did not heed the ad-
vice and warning of Maj Judson, -Kalb-
fus said that he did not think of the
Commissioner at the time of the subse-
quent transactions"
Mr.. KaIbfus explained that he turned
over the Mount Airy property to Allan
+. Walker. a real estate broker. after
Mai Judson had said it didn't look well
for me to be speculating in real estate"
Commissioner Judson at this juncture
displayed a lively interest in the pro-
ceedinGs. Addressing the witness, Mai.
Judson asked:
Did you believe my objection was To
having you speculate or to have the rec
ords appear that you have speculated in
real estate%'
Well" responded Mr.. KaIbfus. think
took it to mean that as a business man
you didn't believe it looked very we'll
That seems that 1 suggested to you to
remain above suspicion pursued the |
Commissioner, by concealing some |
thing"
I have nothing to conceal" said Mr..
kalbfus.
Il didn't ask you if you had anything |
to conceal" said Commissioner Judson. |
Mr.. White says you have transferred |
real estate to other parties so that your |
own name will not appear in the trans |
actions. 1t would seem that I initiated |
this idea with you"
Not at ALL" said Mr.. Kalbfus.
DO you understand, then, that your !
transfer of your record interest to Wal !
ker. yet retaining an active interest your |
self. meets Maj Judson's criticism about |
your real estate affairs
L went away from Mai Judson." ex-