New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-02
'LEDYARD TELLS OF
LAMAR'S 'PHONINC'
Trial Under Way at Last,
Despite Accused's New
Fight for Delay.
PALMER DENIES
MESSAGES WERE HIS
Two Witnesses Testify in Court
Regarding Alleged Imperson-
ating Talks.

David Lamar, who for sixteen months
has been lighting to avoid t-ial on in
dlctmeats charging him with imper-
sonating federal officer, went on trial
before Judge Clarence W. Sessions yes
terday.
Even after the jury was empanelled
and District Attorney Marshall had
outlined his case, counsel for "the Wolf
OF Wall Street" renewed their fight TO
avoid trial, by attacking the validity of
the indictment. But Judge Sessions cut
the argument short by allowing an OBJ
lection and calling attention of the
lawyers 70 the fact that lone exception
is as good as dozen"
Two witnesses were heard Yesterday
-Representative A. Mitchell Palmer, of
Pennsylvania, whom Lamar is accused
of impersonating, and Lewis Cass Led
yard, to whom the impersonation was
made.
Mr.. Palmer testified briefly that he
had never telephoned Mr. Ledyard, and
the only talk he had ever had with the
lawyer was when the latter
called him up to ask If he had pre-
viously telephoned him at his Offices.
Mr.. Ledyard, who had difficulty in
making him heard, occupied the rest
of the day, except when Henry h.
Davies OF Lsmar's staff of lawyers, was
not oOiccting, in telling of telephone
converse ions with ii person represent
ing himself as Representative Palmer,
and interviews with Edward L"uter-
bach, who in another indictment is ac-
cused of conspiring with Lamar.
He testified, as he did before the
Congressional lobby committee, from
carefully typewriter notes, which he
had dictated after each conversation.
These covered series of telephone
calls beginning on February 4, 1913,
when person who said he was Repre-
sentative Palmer called him up at his
Office and represented that he was eager
to steer the new Democratic admins
tration and Congress along safe and
sane lines" as regards business, and
wanted TO have removed the belief that
j. Pierpont Morgan and corporations
controlled by him we're defying the
government in its desire 10 properly
regulate business.
After this first message Mr.. Ledyard
said he proved, by calling up the
Pennsylvania Representative, that 1t
was somebody else who had telephoned.
In this and other telephone CONVEX
sations the impersonator who, Mr..
Ledyard said, had a voice that "sug-
gested a broad brimmed hat" called
up and was most eager to get the Nor
gan and Steel interests into harmony
with the administration, but particu-
larly the new Congress. To do this
the voice wanted Mr.. Ledyard TO get
into touch with Edward Lauterbach.
In these talks the names Of Senator
Stone, of Missouri, and Speaker
Champ Clark, whom Lauterbach was
declared to represent, were freely used.
Mr.. Ledyard had two interviews with
Lauterbach. One of these was not put
into evidence, owing to objections by
counsel. At the other, the witness
said. Lauterbach. claiming to have a
direct commission from Speaker Clark
through Senator Stone, sought 10 get
the Morgan and Steel interests into
line with the new administration,
asking but not insisting upon Zee
as Intermediary, and explaining that
such a retainer would rehaoilitate him
with Mr. Morgan.
Congressman p" had insisted that
Lauterbach be retained for this work,
otherwise his dismissal would have
bad effect upon the new Attorney Cen
eral. who was sure TO be radical.
The original pencilled notes of the
Lauterbach interview were being read
when the court adjourned to this
morning.