Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-05-11
EVIDENCE COMPLETED.
Arguments In Bank Cnsc Taken Up To-

The evidence was completed yesterday
in the case Of the United States against
George G. AVerll Of Brattleboro, which
has occupied the past 10 days in United
States district court at the federal build
ing in this city, and with the opening Of
court at nine o'clock this morning the
arguments will be taken up. present ind-
cations pointing to the completion Of the
case this week.
The defense resumed the taking Of tes-
| timony yesterday morning and did not
rest until about $50 O'Clock in the after
noon. Judge James NJ Tyler was re-
called and testified that the debenrure
bonds. when found, We're in the vault Of
the Vermont National bank and not in
the private box of Mr.. Averill A r.
Collier of Winchester, Mass, vice prcsi-
dent of the National Shawmut bank of
Boston and the man who has charge Of
tho Vermont National which uses
his bank as a reserve bank. was then
called. He said that the Vermont bank
| could have borrowed any amount of
| money within reason and in allowing this
the standing of the bank was the only
| thing taken into consideration Upon be-
| Ing shown checks issued by the Brattle-
!
the time the trouble began, he testified
that they did not appear to have ever
been at the Shawmut bank II. A. Hal
lett of Newton, Mass, Of the Hanover
National bank, testified as to the
credit allowed the Vermont National
by his bank and testified that the reserves
In all banks at the time in question were
low. Florence Clark, stenographer at the
| NJ,
titled as TO her work at the bank, part of
which was wiring orders for money to
the several banks on instructions from
Mr.. Avcrill She also testified to his APP
parent fatigue. brought on by overwork,
and the conditions at his home at the
time, Mrs. Averill being seriously i'll.
The eX-bank president then took the
stand in his own defense. He testified,
that he came to the bank first as teller in
1885 and n year or SO later became cash
Ter. On the death of the president he
took tho presidency in 1897 and held that
Office up to the time he resigned at the
request or the directors, who had re-
ceived orders from the comptroller Of the
cuffeht J. me witness claimed he man
aged the bank and claimed all response
o'iity Tor the action taken at the bank
Under his management the dividends in.
creased IRON 10 to is per cent and the
capital stock from HdO,O0o to 100000 The
numerous entries for which the govern.
meht Is seeking an explanation were
made, SAID the witness. so that the city
accounts should not appear overdrawn
lie proposed to complete the entries made
early in the day as the business of tn,
day seemed best, lie never directed OF
made false entries. His testimony as tt
the visits of Mr. kellcher and conference.
between the bank examiner. presiden
and directors WAS much the same a.
that given by the directors He STATED
that no explanation in answer to tn,
things brought out by the bank examiner
was asked OF him by the directors befor,
he resigned, but that since that time h,
had talked with them about it.
on the cross-eNamination by Distric
Attorney Billiard, Mr.. Averill said tina
at the present time, as he looks back, n,
is OF the opinion that he WAS not we'll ~
, the time the entries and checks i'm cues
ton were made. He admitted that If tn,
charges to the Shawmut bank had no
,, been made there would have been ~
, oVerdraft' The district attorney wen
into the reports which were sent to III
comptroller of the currency at his re
quest by the Vermont National bank
Whicn were signed by the president. NJ
AVerlll' Ihcse reports. the witness al
mitted under the cross examination
were not correct in some cases to tn
amount OF so2'6so10 Mr. Averll admit
y ted that there was no way the como
uoiier on reading the report would be
come aware OF this unless his agents wer
sent To inquire On redirect examina
Ton witness stated that the figures on tn
. report were given the same as the figure
: on the books of tho bank.
e II you are not satisfied with your fu,