Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-12-30
DANIEL J. HAUER
SUBMITS STORY
OF GIRLS SHARE

Portland, Me. Dec. 29.-For over two
hours Wednesday forenoon. Daniel
j. Hauer, former postmaster or Perry.
WHO IS now on trial at the United
States district court, charged with en-
bezzling government funds, withstool
o most aggressive examination at the
hands of Assistant United States Dis
triCt Attorney Chapman. Much of this
examination dealt with the business OF
the postoffice and figures entered into
a large part of the testimony.
AS question succeeded question in
machine gun like rapidity Mr.. Hauer
returned one of the most remarkable
answers ever given from the witness
stand in this court when he said.
Intelligent Response
Il could not answer all these oueS-
tons as YOU give them TO me. ! may
make q statement that may be true |
may make a statement that may be en-
tireIy false, You and Your officials
have had the opportunity IF spending
weeks on these books and am put on
the stand to answer questions off
hand. You can show me anything YOU
want TO with figures if you take lon-
enough doing il. You can prove me "A
rascal. any man a rascal II YOU go
about il. l make the statement that |
used my Own money to run the bust
ness Of this office MOI only when il was
short but used il when il was not
*!tOrt. Aave: touched cent OF the
government money aE;. cuIverteG ii to
my use"
"A rEoss-eNaminatlon " MIR Hauer
il Was shown that there were many
times in the course Of business when
q balance WAS shown on the books
winch lila not began to equal the
shortage OF 500 which he alleged
existed in the money order fund. He
admitted that there were times when
receipts Of money from money orders
highly exceeded the money paid out
Yet these varied to certain extent as
there might be very little cash on
RAND. Thus he continued to put his
money with that of the government TO
make the accounts balance. He always
money and never took this out from
the government money unless he alb
soluteiy needed il.
Suspicious CT Miss McPhaI
In discussing the disappearance Of
funds from the bureau drawer in his
home where he kept the money nights
he said that Mrs. Hauer and the as
siStant postmiStross had access to the
bureau ana that there were times
when he was forced TO give up MS
room to boarders.
he spoke of his suspicious in regard
to Haze! McPhail Who hal figured 80
consp!cuously during the hearing as
Being the one who depleted the money
order funds as charged by the defense
IL spite of tn" fact that he had sus-
pcCted her of the theft of 5000 in six
months.
Mr.. Hauer admitted that he kept the
SiIl in his employ because ne didn't have
any proof that she had taken one cent
OF government money.
DO You want the Jury to understand
that this girl Is years old. stayed in your
house and stole money. blankets ana
food. clothing and ONE" articles, ana
you couldn't catch here asked Mr. Chap
man.
IF you will eliminate her age ana
some of those things, Ill say we tried to
stop her and catch her but couldn't
an not trying to convict the girl. l am
here to defend my self.
Prominent Witnesses
Before court adjourned for the noon
recess several prominent people from tha'
part of the State were colled and they
all testified to the good reputation Of Mr..
Hauer. Hon. Herbert ]. Dudley. former
mayor of Calais and county attorney OF
Washington county; Frank r. Washburn,
representative from Perry to the Lecis,a-
tyre for two sessions; Rev. John Thorpe,
pastor Of the Perry Congregational
church and Mayor Edward Cherry It
is expected that either Wednesday after
noon or Thursday. Miss McFhail herself
will take the stand for the government.
She has occupied seat in the court
room all through proceedings.