The Washington herald., 1911-03-17
JURY TAMPERING
DENIED BY BOTH
Harrison and Pierce File
Affidayits in Court.
VISIT TO FINCH RECALLED
Dealer, Charged with At
tempt to Influence Grand Jury,
Details Conversation Regarding
Business Matter-Pickford Case Is
Only Idle Curiosity, Says Merchant.

William H. Harrison, a commission
merchant at 9O5 B street northwest, and
William A. Pierce, a lumber dealer at
2l6 Fourteenth street northwest, who are
charged with contempt OF court. yester-
day positively denied before Justice
Wright and a crowded court room that
they had made any unlawful attempts
to improperly influence the grand jury.
Affidavits denying their guilt of at
tempting to approach Cresson L. Finch
and Leonard Daniel. grand jurors, re-
garding the Pickford case, were filed yes
terday By both defesdants through their
attorneys, A S. Worthington. who rep
resents Pierce, and David Rothschild,
who appears for Harrison.
Referring TO his visit to Finch's place
OF business March last, the affidavit Of
Mr.. Pierce states in part: In the
course OF conversation with Finch asked
him how he was getting along. He said
In substance he was doing well. and had
been reducing his Indebtedness, the de-
tails Of which he explained to me.
His Time Taken Up.
Then he added that recently he had
not been doing quite so well, because he
was on the grand jury and his time was
very much taken up with his duties as
a grand juror. He then added, You
know. we have the Pickford case up.' and
asked me if was ever on the grand
jury. l told him. as the fact was. that
never had been on the grand jury. He
also said in substance that Mr. Moses
was the foreman OF the jury, and that
he Finch) thought that Moses did not
quite like the stand that he CFfnchl was
taking in the Pickford case. To this 7
made no reply. This is the entire sub
stance of my conversation with Finch
on the occasion in question"
i expressly and emphaticaIIy denv."
conunued Mr.. Pierce's affidavit. which
he reiterated in substance on the witness
stand, and when cross-examined that
on that occasion or on any other [ said
to Finch that / wanted him to think
over carefully the proceedings before the
grand jury against Thomas n. Pickford
before he took any action: or that Finch
said TO me that he was awfuIIy sorry that
he could not do anything for me in the
matter Of Pickford.
Il expressly and emphaticalIv DENY that
Finch said TO me that no influence ont
side of the testimony in the Jury room
could have one particle OF weight with
him.
Denies Deeper Feeling.
1 expressly and emphatically deny that
said to Finch anything in relation to
feeling deeper about the Pickford matter
than if it was my own brother. and that
l said to Finch that l wanted him to be
careful and think over again the Pick
ford matter before he acted.
1 affirm that | had no conversation
whatever with Finch on the occasion in
question. or any other time in relation
to the Pickford matter. and I deny that
on the occasion in question, or anv other
time. attempted in any way. directly
or indirectly. to influence Finch as
grand Juror in his judgment
Mr.. Pierce also stated that tho motive
which may have influenced Finch to
charge him CPierCe) with having attempt-
ed to influence him CFinchD as a grand
juror may DC as follows: Until about
two years ago. from time to time, | sold
lumber to Finch on credit About two
years ago l refused further to sell him
lumber on credit and finally refused TO
accept orders from him at all because
it was reported to me by nv subordi-
mates that when lumber was sent 10 him
to be paid for on delivery he would have
IL
Mr.. Pierce stated on the witness stand
that he went TO see Finch at the Iatter's
place of business TO consult with him
on a business matter regarding the fur
ishing of certain dressed lumber, and
incidentally inquired about the renting
for friend part OF his place as an
automobile repair shop.
Curiosity, He Explains.
William H. Harrison. who preceded Mr..
Pierce on the witness stand, also denied
the charge filed against him and explain
ed that it was idle curiosity which
prompted him to ask Leonard Daniel
about the Pickford case. He said. Il
have absolutely no interest in the Pick
ford case" but admitted that he real
lied at once the improperly of his con-
duct and walked away from Daniel His
attorney, David RothsChild, stated to the
court that Harrison enjoyed the best OF
regulations, that he had lived in he Dis
trict all his life, and that he had been in
business for ten years, and that his char
acter and honor had never been question
ed.
A question of law presenting itself
while Mr.. Worthington questioned Mr..
Pierce on the witness stand. Asss-
tant United States Attorney Proctor OBJ
jected to il and the court continued the
case until Monday morning to pass on
the point and conclude il.
Charming SurfnC FIoserr at Gude's