Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-08
called BY DEFENSE'ASK TO Be CITIZENS
Witnesses Contradict White nPresdent Told Porto RiCanS
the Lorimer Inquiry. Are Loyal Americans
lEGlsI ATOR'S BRBE STORY|IS URGED BY GOV. COL TON
Chicago Street Car Con- Holds Question OF paramount 70
ductor, N the Stand. itical Consideration"
CHANGES MADE IN TESTIMONY TELLS OF B0sTONS WANTS
Trial Of State
Senator Browne Maine Report Submitted.
Witnesses Contradict White in
the Lorimer Inquiry.
LEGISLATORS BRIBE STORY
z J. Bell, Chicago Street Car Con
ductor, on the Stand.
CHANGES MADE IN TESTIMONY
Contradicts His Statements Made at
Second Trial Of State
!. Senator Browne.

f J. Bell. a Chicago street car con-
ductor. was a witness before the Lorimer
senatorial investigating committee today
in an effort Of the defense to show that
Sidney Yarbrough was in Chicago the
night of May "a. 1909, instead Of in hotel
room at Springfield, ILL.,, with Charles A.
White, the state legislator. who made q
confession of bribery. White had sworn
that he was in Springfield. Bell corrob-
GRATED Motorman George Gloss by swear
ing that he saw Yarbrough on trolley
car the night of May "A.
Bell is one of the several witnesses who
will be called by the defense IN its Ell
fort to discredit the testimony of White
as to what happened at Springfield In
1909. when the legislature was balloting
in the election which resulted in send
ing Mr.. Lorimer to the Senate.
Senator Lorimer attended the hearing
today. He was absent yesterday.
Differs From Former Statement.
When Bell was taken In hand for cross
examination he contradicted his former
testimony. References to the rec.rd OF
the second Browne trial disclosed that
his statements today were substantially
different in answer to practically the
same questions.
Senators Lea, Kenyon and Jones ques-
tioneu the witness closely. anu he ad-
mitted that he had changed his testimony
materially.
At first he maintained that he had
testified at the Browne trials from his
memory of having seen Yarbrough the
night Of May "a. Under questioning
date in his mind by talking with Gloss
before he went on the stand in the sec
ond Browne trial. Attorney Marble
for the committee spent much time in
going through Bells testimony at the
Browne trial, to prove that Bells an
swers were different today.
Says White Feared Lorimer Crowd.
John j. Okeefe, a Chicago policeman,
attached to the states attorneys office
during the Browne trials, was called
OKeefe said White was in his custody
at the Lexington Hotel in Chicago be-
tween August I and August 10, 1910.
White was in constant fear 0f the Lori
mer crowd" he said.
II asked him what he was afraid of
them for the-witness declared, "and
White said he was In fear because Of
the testimony he, had given In the
Browne trials.
white told me that If Browne were
convicted Lorimer would be unseated,
that States Attorney Wayman would be
Cove. nor of Illinois, and that he expected
70 be made warden of the state peniten-
tiafy. He told me to keep my mouth
shut and 1 wouldn't have to stay in the
police department: -
White bossted that Edward r Wright,
president of the Illinois Federation of
Labor, had brought him word from the
governor of the state that he need no,
be afraid of being put In jail for any
testimony he had given"
Referred to Gov. Deneen.
HE meant that word had come from
Gov. Deneen?' was asked.
That's what he did
did White tell you that he had sworn
falsely against Browne?" asked Senator
kenyon.
Yes.
Did you report that to anybody"
Eyes. TO Wayman's assistants
What did he Jay when you reported
that?'
II don't remember
why didn't you tell Browne or his at
torneys?"
Il don't know
Yet you never told of this when
Browne was on trial for his liberty?''
NO. didn't"
Hanecy Wins Point.
There was a dispute between counsel as
to the admissibility Of testimony relating
to Whites moral conduct while in
OKeefe's custody. A majority OF the
committee voted to hear 1t.
II want to prove that White was no
reformer. but a moral leper." said Judge
Hanecy.
OKeefe then gave some testimony
about Whites behavior.