The Washington times., 1911-03-16
DENY ATTEMPT TO
INFLUENCE JURORS
Two, Accused of Contempt
of Court, Say Questions
Were Casual.

Idle curiosity, denying any unlawfu
attempt to influence the grand jury, is
the defense to contempt of court charges
made today before Justice Wright by
William II. Harrison, a commission
merchant at 9O5 street northwest, and
William A. Pierce, a lumber dealer al
216 Fourteenth street northwest.
Pierce and Harrison appeared this
morning in Criminal Court No. !, before
Justice Wright, to answer to the charges
of contempt of court, filed against them
yesterday by United States District At
torney Wilson. Pierce is represented by
Attorney A S. Worthington and Harri-
son by Attorney Davidschild.
Attorneys for the defendants asked
Justice Wright to postpone their formal
hearing and trial until lis o'clock this
afternoon, which was granted, with the
consent of Assistant District Attorney
Proctor.
Affdavits Denying Guilt Filed.
Affidavits denying their guilt of at
tempting to approach c. E. Finch and
Leonard Daniel, grand jurors, regarding
the Pickford case were filed today by
both defendants.
Both Pierce and Harrison admit talk
ing to the two grand jurors about the
PiCkford case, but deny they had any
Interior motive or committed contempt
OF court. That they merely took a pass
ing public interest in the Pickford liti-
CATION, without any personal interest as
to the result, is asserted by the de-
PENDANTS.
In his affidavit Harrison says he met
Juror Daniel, who Is also a commission
merchant with a store a few doors from
that of Harrison.
What's doing in the PiCkford Case?''
Harrison admits he asked Daniel. but
says he instantly realized the impro-
priety of his conduct and walked away
from Daniel.
Not Interested in Case.
That was the only remark l made
concerning the case and it was made
absolutely without thought" says Har-
rison in his affidavit
Il have absolutely no interest in the
case" Harrison continues, nor am
acquainted with Thomas H. Pickford
or any one else connected with the case
] simply asked about it out of idle
curiosity. The only possible reason [
car assign is that a friend of mine on
one or two occasions asked me if | had
heard anything of the PickfOrd case
Harrison declares he meets Daniel as
often as ten or twelve times a dav and
merely asked him about the PiCkford
case before the grand jury to make
conversation
NllulltT explanation oil his action in
talking to Juror Finch is made by
Pierce, through his attorney. He also
denies being interested in the outcome
Of the Pickford litigation, other than
that of any citizen.
Pierce and Pickford.
Charges that he asked Juror Finch to
think over carefully the Pickford
case are denied by Pierce in his af-
fidavit. He also denies telling Finch
he was more interested in the case
than if Pickford was his own brothC.,
Pierce says he visited Finch on March
6, 10 inquire regarding some lumber
Finch wished to buy, having traded
with him for fifteen years He says
Finch first mentioned the PiCkford
case. saying his bUsiress was being in
tured because of his grand jury serviC6
= ''Hou know, We have the Pickford case
up" Finch is said to have told Pierce,
Whn says he made no response.
Pierce says he has known Pickford
for several years, but is not personally
interested in the case. He makes
countercharges against Finch, intimat-
Ing a refusal to sell him lumber may
have caused FinChs mention Of the
Ptckford case.