Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-02-06
H00FF DECLARES
He IS INNOCENT
Defendsn, on Stand More Than Six
Hours Argues His Case
Before Jury.
!; RIGID CROSS EXAMINATION.
RIGID CROSS EXAMINATION
SaSs Cannot Explain Many items From
sIemory-Makes Dramatic witness
Acknowledges Hooks Were BADLY Kept.
Hu LLETak.

10 the jury without argument.
This action was entirely unexpected
by the large crowd who had gathered 10
hear the arguments III the attorneys.
Declaring his complete innocence
of any wrong doing and calling on the
Deity for vindication. Lewis lool
The former secretary and treasurer
Of the Mercantile Railway Building
and Loan Association. now on trial
in the Corporation Court. spent more
than six honrs yesterday afternoon
and this morning in going over the
various details of the management
OF tho Mercantile.
As related in yesterdays Gazette.
Mr.. lIOnn was placed on the stand
in his own behalf ut three o'clock In
the afternoon. His appearance N
The witness box caused the most in
tense interest in the court room, as
it. was apparent from the evidence
that had been given in the case. that
he would be the only person who
could throw light on the tangled
condition or the books or explain the
various transactions which tho COM
Inonwealth had traced 10 his door.
Mr.. Hooff on his main examination
by Mr.. IeffTles. his leading counsel,
proved An excellent witness and made
q good impression upon the jury.
Ifo appeared ut ease and seemed to
De- very anxious to have all possible
light on his connection with the COM
pany. Step by step. Mr.. Jeifries ques-
toned him in reference to the chars-
as In the indictments, and the witness
had ready explanation for every
ono OF the items that the common
wealth had presented. He showed
no disposition to blame any one else
but stated frankly that the notes In
question had al been prepared by
him, sent TO the various banks for
discount. and that tho money which
was to be returned In cash, had been
received by him. Money was never
sent for in this way unless it was
needed in the ordinary course OF
tho business OF the Association. and
when so received 1t was placed in the
cash drawer or safe and paid out in
the same way as all other funds.
in explanation OF the notes given
on the various banks to which were
attached cancelled stock OF the Mer-
cantilc. the witness said when 4 man
wished to secure his money on paid
mp stock on the company which he
held the company would pay him
its face value. This stock would then
be carried in the drawer as q cash
item until it was sold to someone
else or otherwise disposed of. When
the company needed money. for any
purpose. it was customary to take
this stock ont Of the money drawer
and use it rs I collateral Tor loan
The notes OF various persons were Sc
cured as matters OF accommodation
10 which the stock was attached In
this way, Mrs. Angelo. Mr.. browns,
Mr.. Martin and other employees. be-
came the makers of these notes. There
was no bylaw which prohibited this
and no report OF these transactions
were made to the directors. rs they
referred solely 10 the cash account
for which Mr.. lIooff alone was res
ponsible.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. iooff'S
main testimony, Mr.. Jeffrics took the
Indictment and charge by charge. in
the most solemn manner. asked Mr..
JEooff if he was guilty OF any chars-
es contained therein. Mr.. HooG re-
piled In q clear voice: Before God.
! never touched 4 penny Of the com-
panys money"
Soon after Mr.. Brent. who is re-
garded as one OF the best cross-eX-
aminers in the South, took the Wit
ness in hand. 1t was evident that
the calm bearing of the witness could
not last long. Mr.. Brent started with
4 severe line Of questioning, going
into the most minute matters COM
Meeted with the affairs OF the COM
pany. and Mr.. HooG soon broke un-
der the strain and became excited.
He turned frequently to the Jury
and argued hts point. leaaIas ovcs
the railing and appealing to their
reason. begging that they, would sss
bin questions II they did not under
srand. AT times he WIS very dram.