Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-14
FORECAST OF DEFENSE
= IN RIGGS BANK TRIAL
Journey Tor Indicted Officials Pro-
tests Reading OF Affidavit
In Court
CLAIMS TT IMPROPERLY FILED
''horts' If Successful, Would Pune
,ure Case OF Governmcnt-ChaI-
.ehSes Use Of Statement Upon
which Proceedings Are Based.

when Proceedings Are Based.
WASHINGTON. May l3-Effort by
%" attorneys for the defense in the
iNees Bank case to show that the af-
h"avit on which the indictments for
perjury are based was improperly FLED
'ur'' ana thus to puncture the case
VI Tho government. was forecast at
cue close Of the session yesterday.
mere was no court ,-day. The trial
:" har!es c. Glover. William ]. Flather
ana Henry II. Flathcr. officials OF the
'NS BANK, on joint and individual
Elements for perjury. will begin in
earnest Monday morning at 10 o'clock
III criminal Division OF the District
supreme Court before Justice Siddons
me taking of testimony will then be
begun
While the justice was the CUES, Of
''e'hners or the District Bar Associa-
''"h at shad bake at Chesapeake
ieach to-day the jurors were locked
UP They spent the morning in play
ing games. and several of them were
'sited by their wives. This afternoon
,hey took walk in charge OF the
bail!ns
Zen OF the jurymen are married.
iheE are allowed TO see their wives
IN 'he presence of a bailiff, and seven
nave taken advantage OF this privilege.
"hile they do not take very kindly
I" heing locked up. and while most
!, OF mem are suffering hardship, not
Only as to physical comfort. but in
"eF business Interest during the time
'neS are thus confined. the Jury as a
whole is In a jovial mood
For the last five days the time NJ,
me court has been given over 10 selec-
~" OF jury and the reading by the
io'crnment Of records in the equity
sun b. the Riggs Bank officials against
treasury officials. which led up to the
present criminal proceedings
The defense showed its hand late
Yesterday afternoon when Assistap,
United States Attorney James f. Archer
attempted to read to the jury the atfi
davit OF the Riggs officers Vigorous
objection was at once registered by
3torne" William G. Johnson. for the
nS'ense, who claimed that this affidavit
vas not properly filed with the clerk
OF the court. and that IL has a history"
which the defense wishes to have
brought out in court.
II II please the court" said Mr.
Archer. who had been reading other
papers TO the jury, II Will now read
the affidavit OF G. 9. Glover. William
J Flather and Henry"
Wal, a minute" exclaimed Mr..
Johnson. jumping to his feet
Holding the famous aiiidavit in his
hand, Mr. Archer swung around and
faced The challenger for the defense.
~ Hm only seeking to introduce this
paper as have introduced other pa
rcrs IN the case" he explained we
merely wish 10 show that such paper
was tled"
But tina, Is a Very different matter"
s:.id Mr.. johnson I'VE object In the
hrsi place. II II please the court. this
is the very paper on which The govern
ment relied TO prove its perjury
charges and in regard TO which the
clerk Of the court could no, give sat
isfactory explanation OF how 4, was
filed
is this paper 10 be presented twice."
ne inquired. turning TO the assistant
United States attorney.
THAT is my understanding That is
the usual course"
This paper" Mr.. johnson went on,
has a history, and ne are entitled to
have It brought out. The testimony so
far has not properly connected It with
the case"
Al this stage OF the case" said Mr.
Archer. this paper is not different
from any other paper"
Justice Siddons then questioned the
OPPOSING attorneys to their respec-
tive contentious, and ruled that for
it's purposes at this time" the paper
had been sufficiently Identified
Mr. Archer had scarcely begun TO
read the title OF the affidavit when
court was adjourned until 10 o'clock
Monday morning.
This argument over the filing OF the
a!idavt was supplementary TO q pre-
vious challenge by Attorney johnson,
registered when Frank L. Cunning
ham. in charge OF the equity branch
Of the office OF the clerk OF the Dis
,trict supreme Court. was sworn
Al tina. time Mr.. johnson questioned
him regarding how the affidavit In
question came to he filed Mr. Cum
ningham had no recollection of re-
cciv!mS the paper Mr.. Johnson suc-
gested yesterday that II might be well
10 have John a. c. Palmer clerk OF
Equity Division No. l--who, it is
claimed by the defense, took the paper
10 the clerks otiice-placcd on the
stand. The prosecution argued that as
this paper is not now placed in evil
that such paper was filed, 10 show il
is Il record in the court and to prove
jurisdiction the stamp thereon OF the
ne In t.,e