The Washington herald., 1916-05-25
,RAPS SPECTATORS
At RIGGS TRIAL
Justice Siddons Declares the
Court Will Be ClearedUnless
Demonstration" Cease.
HOGAN WAKES SARCASTIC
Sharp Answers to Prosecutor While
on Stand Cause litter in Court
and Bring Reprimand.

A likelihood that Criminal Court, No. l.
where the Riggs bankers are being tried
for alleged perjury, will be cleared of
spectators II demon strations" such as
characterized yesterdays session are
continued, was hinted at in a warning
from the presiding Judge, Justice Siddons,
during the afternoon hearing. The
admonition was given while Attorney
Frank ]. Hogan, Of counsel for the
bankers, was being cross-examined by
Assistant Attorney General Fits, as
sociated with the prosecution, and
followed an outburst Of laughter from the
spectators.
Justice Siddons said:
The court several times has had to
admonish you that this is no place for
demonstrations. II you wish to attend
this trial, a public trial. remember this
is a court Of Justice
Counsel in sharp TtIts.
During the three weeks Of the trial
the relations Of Attorney Hogan, for the
defense. and Attorney Fits, for the gov
crnment have become more or less
strained and when Hogan. placed on the
stand in the morning, was turned over
for Cross-examination by Fits, the feel
ing between the opposing attorneys was
communicated to the audience.
While sharp words were exchanged oc-
casionally. their feelings found express
sion mostly in CausttC criticisms and
sarcasms. Attorney Hogan mentioned
thick headed lawyers" who were una Bile
TO understand any legal document, TINS
while Fits was questioning him about
the affidavit drafted Dv Hogan and sign
ed bv the bankers. Fits ironically dwelt
upon the inside meaning" Of the az
fdavit as compared to the several inter
Dretations OF il by various lawyers.
Attorney Hogan was placed upon the
stand to testify to the drawing up Of
the affidavit. which declared the Rigs
Bank did not deal in stocks and the sign
ing Of which resulted in the perjury
trial The affidavit was offered during
the injunction proceedings brought by
the bank against Treasury officials last
summer.
The witness declared he drafted the af-
rdavit without consulting any Of the de-
PENDANTS and that it was signed readily
by Mr.. Glover. the president. and Tor
mer Cashier H. H. Father. but that
Vice President W. J. Flather hesitated
briefly to study it before signing.
Former Broker Testines.
Charles P. Williams. a former member
Of the Lewis Johnson K Co. brokerage
hrm. through which the bank is accused
Of dealing in stocks. testified that the
Riggs account on the firms books was
so headed merely for the convenience Of
me bookkeepers. and that other national
1anks Of Washington had similar aC-
cunts.
Several witnesses were called to tes-
tifv to the characters Of Mr.. Glover and
the Messrs. Father. the defendants.
They were Charles J. Bell. president of
the American Security and Trust Com
pany: Rev. Charles T. Warner, Of st.
Adams Church. OF which Mr. Glover
Is a member: Samuel 3. Hayden, attor-
WF-v- .
Wilson. former District attorney; Fulton
r Gordon. real estate broker; George B.
Mullen. Rev. DR.. Archer, registrar of
American University; Harry s. WelCh. Of
the War Department. W. B. TurPon and
James B L.ambie.