Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-09-19
CHAS. B. HALL
ACQUITTED in
DISTRICT COURT


Charles B. Hall. local commission
agent, charged with receiving and ac-
cepting an order for six barrels OF
wine without first possessing II
cense under the new territorial law
to deal in intoxicating liquors. was
discharged by Judge Monsarrat this
morning, following a hard-fought legal
battle in the district court, during
which two hours were taken in hear
ing testimony from q number OF we'll
known witnesses, many of whom are
identified with Honolulu's liquor bus
mess.
License Inspector Fennell proved an
interesting witness during the cross
examination under the direction Of
Attorney e. c. Peters. who represent
ed Hall.
Peters attempted to show that Fen.
nell, in the capacity OF a territorial
official, was actuated in making the
prosecution through information that
he is alleged to have received from
Joel G. Cohen. a local liquor dealer.
Peters attempted to draw out from
Fennell that Cohen had prevailed up
on the license inspector to bring Hall
to Justice upon a charge of disposing
of California wines. 1t was pointed
ont that Cohen was obliged to pay a
Yearly license of $3.50 for the pkivi-
lege of selling intoxicating liquor
throughout the territory.
Fennell in taking the stand. re-
NAMED non-committal on several of
these points, but maintained that In
visiting the store Of Wong Chung
Lung, last August, he noted a ship
ment of wines, and the information
was then volunteered that the liquor
was supplied the firm through Hall.
Fennell then related q series Of con-
versations that he had with Hall, In
which he is said to have declared that
he accepted the order from the Chi
reese in good faith. that he did not at
tempt to fill it, but enclosed the pa
per in an envelope and forwarded II
to the coast wine exporters.
r J. Buchly, president of w. G..
Peacock and Company. related the
transfer of the agency of B. Arnold,
the California wine exporters, from
Hall to his firm, following the pass
age OF the new law which compelled
all local representatives Of mainland
liquor firms to take out $1,000 IL
cense. His firm had handled the
business since the first part OF July.
Buchly admitted that the commission
for the sale Of the six barrels Of wine
had been credited to the account OF
w. C. Peacock and Company.
The amount OF commission paid by
the coast concerns was brought up
and Bnchly admitted that his firm had
been receiEing Ave per cent on the
sales Of all wine In the territory OF
Hawaii shipped by Arnold and Com
pany.
Peters succeeded In showing that
Hall had not intentionally violated the
provisions of Act 20 of the last legis-
lature when he accepted the order
from the Chinese. Hall denied ever
receiving a cent of commission, and
this statement was backed up by
Buchly who denied having paid out
anything to Hall or any one else.
Acting Prosecuting Attorney Chill.
lingworth, was prevented through q
ruling from Judge Monsarrat in intro
ducing the testimony claimed that he
desired to show that Hall had ped
died later order for wine, which Is
alleged to have been received by the
Chinese, calling for fifteen barrels Of
liquor.
The court room was packed with in
terested spectators who eagerly
watched the development Of the case.
| The threat was made this morning
that damage suit might be filed
against Fennell by Hall.