The Washington herald., 1912-02-02
NEVSOFALEXANDRIA
Lewis HOOf, Former Manager of
Mercantile Building AssO-

Alexandria, Va, Feb. L-Fighting the
admissibility OF a certain note as evi-
dence. and also the admisslbIlity Of the
cash book OF the association, were fea-
lures OF the opening of the trial Of Lewis
hoon' former secretary and general
manager of tine Mercantile Railway
Building and Loan Association. in the
Corporation Court this afternoon before
Judge L. Q. Barley.
The motion of Attorney Jeffries to ex-
ciude the evidence Of the book and note
was taken under consideration by Judge
Barley until tomorrow morning. On
this decision, 1t is believed, will hinge
the case. The motion was withdrawn
until tomorrow, in order that the court
can review il.
The taking Of testimony was not be-
gun until this afternoon. the morning
session being taken up with the opening
arguments. A jury from Lynchburg was
quickly secured. During the course OF
the day there were sharp tilts between
the attorneys.
J. S. Covington, assistant cashier of
the Second National Bank, Culpeper, Va,
identified a number of notes OF the Vir-
ginia Safe Deposit and Trust Corpora
tion In the possession OF his bank. The
testimony of n. s. Greenaway. clerk OF
ISOLATION was incorporated.
Mrs. NJ. E Angelo, former bookkeeper
at the association, testified regarding the
Issuance OF stock certificate No. 10l. On
being recalled, she said IT was paid up
stock and was for 900 shares. Mrs. An
Eelo identified book she said was the
cash book. Mr.. Hooff, she said, kept the
book produced. In a moment Attorney
Jefries was on his feet with an objec-
tion TO the inadmissibility of the book,
claiming a failure OF entry could be used
only TO show improper intent. He said
that as the case now stands there is a
charge that 500 went into Hooff's hands
and did not properly go into his books.
His failure to charge it, he declared, does
not prove he stole It.
George H. Robinson, former teller of
the Virginia Safe Deposit and Trust Cor
poration, identified a deposit slip for 500
made in Hooff's handwriting and said
that $500 went TO the credit of the Mer-
camille Railway Building and Loan Asso-
ciation and 500 in cash was turned over
10 Harvey browns.
II. D. Kirk and w. ]. Boothe, formerly
bOOkkeeper and discount clerk, respective
ly- Of the Virginia Safe Deposit and Trust
Corporation, testified to the note of 500
drawn by Harvey browns and discounted
by HOOf.
The testimony Of Laurence StabIer
director and vice president of the con-
cern. In the former capacity he served
for about eight years. and in the latter
about two years. The board, he said,
held monthly meetings and the secretary
made reports. Witness did not know how
many meetings were held in 1910.
Additional testimony was given regard
ing the note transaction by George II.
Robinson and w. J. Boothe.
A number Of bOplS Or T0a dpfmnrf Nir-
gipia Safe Deposit and Trust Corporation
We're then brought into the court room
and examined by Messrs. BoOthe and
Kirk for the purpose OF throwing aQdI-
tionaI light on the note transaction.
Afterward. in reply TO a query put by
Mr. Jeneries. Mr.. Boothe testified that
the books did not show when the note
executed by Harvey browns September
Il, 1910. was taken up. Mr.. Jefrries then
renewed his former motion that the note
referred to was taken UP and paid IN
full by the parties. and there was no
liability to the building association, add
ing that as ground Tor exclusion OF de-
pOsit slip as evidence.
Harvey 6. browns, who was employed
ass messenger by the association, test-
fed as to the note transaction. He said
there was $500 deposited and he re-
turned the 500 to HoOff. On September
i he said he carried il over, and GER
tifiCates attached we're security for the
note. On crOsS-cXaminatiOn browns said
that during the absence of other at
taches he frequently took charge of the
office, especially between 10 O'Clock and
noon.
The case WIS begun at 1880 o'clock.
and the following jury from LynChburg
was obtained in half an hour: NJ. 4.
Saunders r. G. Terry, ". II. Liggan,
a T. HarwOod. r. E Noel, B. W.
Rarksdaie, l. c. BUrks, c. P. Munday. c.
II. Beasley, jr, James F. Barnes, John
NJ. Fisher, and ]. c. Franklin.
Hooh was formally arraigned and en-
tered a plea of not guilty to the indict
ment, which charges a total embezzle-
ment OF Sl,15O in five counts. The counts
are repeated. first charging him with the
nffense as secretary and then as treas
urer OF the association.
Afterward. opening arguments for the
State were made by Commonwealth At
torney Samuel C. Brent and by Attorney
Lewis II. Machen for the defense.
At 4:3O o'clock the case was adjourned
over until 10 o'clock tomorrow morning,
when the taking of testimony will be re-
sumed. The jury is at the Hotel Rammel
and in charge of Sergt. R. H. Cox. Her
bert c. Knight was appointed bailif by
the court. The remaining eighteen tales !
men who had been summoned later left |
for Lynchburg.
Throughout the day a large throng filled |
the court room and listened to the testf- |
mony, among them many who had had |
money on deposit in the concern. Five
women, several Of whom were relatives
Of the accused, also attended the trial |
HoOn occupied a seat at the table with I
his counsel, Attorneys John l. Jeffries. |
Norfolk; John /. Lee. Lynchburg, and I!
Lewis II. Mschen. Commemorative At |
torney Brent is conducting the prosecu- |
ton.
Arrangements have about been COM
pleted by the chamber of commerce for
its biennial banquet, which Will be held
Tuesday night next in the auditorium of
the EIks' Home. Covers will be laid for
200 guests. Final arrangements for the
affair will be completed at a meeting or
the banquet committee Monday night. 1t |
has been arranged TO transport the guests |
to and from Washington in the palace |
car Mount Vernon.
Representative c. c. Carlin Will act
as toastmaster of the evening. Rev. ii. |
NJ: Canter, pastor of the Methodist Epis- |
copaI Church South, will pronounce invo-
cation.
The following will. respond to toasts:
Robert L. Taylor. Tennessee;
Thomas S. Martin, Virginia; Sen
ator james A. Reed, Missouri; Senator
Claude A Swanson. Virginia, and Rep
John Lawson Burnett, Ala
bama.
Mrs. Margaret Hoy, wife of Robert L.
Hoy, former resident of this city. died |