The Wilson times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1896-19??, 1911-07-21
$4,000 Not Mentioned.

WdSA1uSlOu, -. u, July lU."D. "A.
Johnson, formerly on the staff of
the American Lumberman of Chicago,
was again called to the witness stand
when the Lorimer investigating com.
mittee resumed its session. Johnson
is one of the men who was on the
train going from Duluth to Virginia,
Mimi, when G. F. Wiehe, secretary
of the Hines Lumber Company, is al
legged to have told Burgess that he
contributed $4,000 to the Lorimer
election fund. Johnson again told the
committee that he was present in the
smoking compartment of the car
when Wiehe and Burgess were there,
and that no such conversation as
Burgess described with Wiehe took
place.
Johnson weighs over 800 pounds.
He stated that he occupied several
seats in the smoking room," and when
everybody in the room laughed John
son also smiled, and explained that
he had occupied them cat different
times"
Johnson was cross-examined. Moth
| ing of importance was developed in
| the croSs-eXamination until Senator
Fletcher questioned the witness.
you appear to be a man of intel
| ligence and character, and I say this
because l want to ask you some ques-
| tons which may appear to be per-
sonal,'' said Senator Fletcher. "1
want to ask if you had been drinking
that night on the train
mo. sir" replied the witness.
+ Had Burgess been drinking%'
"I do not think so.''
"How about McGowan?"
| 81 do not think any one in the
smoking compartment had been in
dulging."
"Mr. Burgess has told this commit
tee that a conversation regarding
Senator Lorimer's election occurred
at that time, in that compartment
between himself and Mr. Wiehe, and
you have told us that no such con.
versation took place. said Senator
Fletcher. "How do you reconcile
these two statements?"
Il do not attempt to reconcile
them,' replied Johnson.
Gould any such conversation have
Ibeen held?"
"Not in my presence. 1t was sc
startling as told by Mr.. Burgess that
If it had occurred it would have made
an impression on me-"
John B. Price, of Seattle, Wash.
was the next witness.
Price was another of the passen
gers in the train from Duluth to Vir
ginia, Mimi, in March, 1911, wheT
the BurgeSS-Wiehe conversation is
said to have occurred. Price was II
the smoking compartment on the trip
Burgess, Price, Wiehe, Johnson, Nc
Gowan and some of the Weyerhausel
brothers we're present. The conver
sation was on reciprocity, jury ser
vice and a certain waterway improve
ment project.
"Was there anything said by any
one about the election of Senator
Lorimer?" asked Judge Hynes, coun
sci for Edward Hines.
mo, SIR
"Anything said by Mr. Wiehe abou
having contributed $4,000 toward
Senator Lorimer's election?"
mo, sir
Were you in the smoking cOmpart
ment when these conversations are
said to have occurred all of the timer
with the exception of about one
minute, when 1 went out into the cal
to see if any baggage was there
"Was there time for conversation
such as has been described betwee1
Mr.. Burgess and Mr.. Wiehe while
you we're absent?"
81 do not think So"
On crOss-examinatiOn by Attorne.
Marble, for the committee, the ques
ton arose as to how witness came tt
know the names of the men in tn
{ smoking compartment, all bein'
strangers to him.
How did you know Mr.. Johnson: !:
II recognized his picture when
heard his name mentioned"
| Where did you ever see his pic
lures ?''
You mean to say that you recoe
: nized this man whom you had neve
' seen merely by his pictures"
Eyes, sir; because have seen
: many times, for Mr.. Johnson is tn
: founder of the Concentrated Order @
: Hoo-Hoos,' of which I am member
: and I have been interested in him.
I That's lumber organization ?"
"Yes, SIR
) tAnd you are a lumberman?
Yes sir"