New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-03
Big FinanCierS Accused of
Monopoly in New Haven
by U. S. Grand Jury.
ELECTION EVE PLAY,
ONE VICTIM ASSERTS
Three Plead Not Guilty;
Bail 5,O0O-MOre Indict-
mentS Intimated.

jury yesterday on charges of violating
the Sherman law. The penalty, if con-
yicted, is one year in Jail or fine OF
$4,000, or both, az the discretion OF the
court.
OF the twenty-One but three George
+. Baker, Charles NJ. Pratt and Lewis
Cass Ledyard appeared before Judge
Foster to plead, and each was held in
$4,000, and three weeks time was
granted in which TO change the plea
and demur to the Indictment.
George Macculloch Miller, who is
eighty-two years old, appeared in the
person of his son, Hoffman Miller, who
on explaining TO the court that his
father is quite i'll, arranged for the
elder Miller 20 furnish surety without
appearing at this time.
William Rockefeller, who is under
stood to be at Jekyll Island, was not
in court or represented by counsel.
John NJ. Carver said arrangements
would be made TO furnish bonds. He
will plead illness as 4 reason why his
client should not be compelled 20 sp-
pear in person.
Tomorrow the other defendants who
live in Connecticut are expected to ap-
pear and plead, as are such others who
may be within convenient distance of
New York. By Friday all are expected
20 make their appearance.
Vote Move, Says Miller.
None Of the defendants or their
counsel, except Hoffman Miller, had
anything to say for publication, Lewis
CssS Ledyard overruling the lawyers
who thought it advisable to say some
thing at this time. Mr. Miller, how
ever, was not averse to speaking his
mind.
"To-morrow, said he. Eve elect
Congress. Ii il damnable to stage
this thing at this time for its possible
effect upon the electors Tomorrow.
These indictments were agreed upon
more than a week ago. when the grand
jury bade Mr. Osborne, the special
prosecutor, goodby. They could have
been returned then.
"Instead. the business of the grand
jury was adjourned 10 Washington,
where the indictments were decided
upon, and to-day, the eve of election,
was picked as the time TO spring the
mine on the chance that the headlines
Rockefeller Indicted may make votes.
The whole proceeding is outrageous.
"These indictments 90 back more
than twenty years. Who was there
even ten years ago who thought for
n moment that the Sherman law was
intended 10 or did cover such
In his Offices in Boston Howard
Elliott. chairman Of the New Haven,
asked TO be excused from comment
ng on the action of the grand Jury on
he ground that comment by him would
De out of place at this time.
The grand jury. as by previous ar
-ancement, met at the Federal Build |
nC at 10:30 yesterday morning. TIE /
meeting was purely formal. the indict- !
aents having been agreed upon ten .
laws ago. 1t took the representatives .
# the Department of Justice some time !
o 60 through the indictments, after
l. IL. 20
7oster. who was presiding at the "de /
IKE book frauds" trial, to ask when
le would receive the jury's report. He
Immediately declared recess and the
ury fled IN.
DE Luxe Men Watch Jury.
Colonel Bill" Hartley, one OF the de-
endants in the book case, looked up
IS the Jury marched in. and leaning
oward James !. Farmer. the alleged
read OF the book crowd. whispered:
Cheer up. Jim. they've got bigger
Dads than Us this "trip"
John ID. Lindsay. Of Nicoll, Annabie.
lindsay d Fuller. Of counsel for the
indicted men. was IN court with Frank
i. Schwacker and +. VI. Belts, special
assistant attorneys general. and As
istant District Attorney K. ". Steven
on. of the local Office. Between them
{ was agreed that the defendants or
uch Of them as could be reached
would be in court at , o'clock. and
fter the court had thanked and dis
harged the grand jury the book trial
Proceeded.
Meantime the lawyers were busy in
orming those who had been looking
or indictments that the worst had
appened. and just before , o'clock.
gorge +. Baker, accompanied by his
on, George f., jr., arrived IN the court
DOM. followed by Lewis Cass Ledyard
nd Charles NJ. Pratt, and their coun-
el, Mr.. Lindsay. John G.. Milburn and
,dmund /. Baylies.
The book jury was in It's seats and
'ithin the bar inclosure were more
han a score Of reporters and photog-
aphers. when court" was announced
nd Clerk William Leary called:
George +. Baker 70 the bar"
How do you plead to this indict-
lent?" asked the clerk.
Not guilty" said the banker in a
rm voice.
"Do YOU wave the reading of this in
asked the clerk, holding up
ponderous looking document.
Three Weeks to Change Pleas.
John d. Lindsay promptly replied
n the affirmative, and then Charles
|. Pratt was called for. For him John
!. Milburn entered plea Of not guilty.
lr. Ledyard followed suit. Mr.. Lind.
sy asked that the pleas be noted with
ne reservation that the defendants
light withdraw them later and file
Continued on page 5, column