The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-05-23
WITNESSES .LAUD
RIGGS BANK HEADS
Days Proceedings Taken Up|
With Testimony Of Charac-
ter Witnesses.

Practically all of this mornings
testimony at the Riggs trial was that
OF character witnesses"
Colonel Roosevelt was the center
OF interest and the court room was
crowded with spectators. anxious to
get a glimpse Of him.
Besides the former President, SEN
ators Oscar Underwood and Francis
NJ. Newlands and other distinguished
public men and residents of the Dis
trict appeared as character witnesses
during the early hours of the hearing.
Prominent Citizens Heard.
Among others who testified were:
Gen. John NJ. Wilson, the Rev.
Charles Wood. pastor OF the Church
of the Covenant; DR.. w. s. Harlan.
Rudolph Kaufman, DR.. Joseph H.
Bryan, Charles d. walcott, director
OF the Smithsonian Institution; Dr.
Lewis II. Taylor. William s. Corby,
a nSPe David S e. SsoT T.w H HOfs
mailer and Robert b. Weaver.
Taking the stand shortly after 10
o'clock. Colonel Roosevelt went back to
the days when as civil service COM
with Charles C. Glover He not only
testified as to the good reputation and
integrity OF Mr.. Glover. but as to what
he knew of the general reputation of
Frequently during the Colonel's testi-
mony the courtroom broke into laughter
at his humor and had to be cautioned
by the court. Remember this IL
John B: stanchneid. chief of counsel
for the defense. questioned the distin-
guished witness.
Colonel Roosevelt, upon taking the
dons and gave his address as oyster
Bay. Long Island.
What e your vocation7" asked Mr..
"a, writer" answered the former
President.
Acquainted Since 1889.
How long have you known the de-
PENDANT. Charles c. Glover" aueried Mr..
Stanchfield.
Since about the year 1885,. when I
came to Washington as civil service
commissioner. At that time did not
know him as intimately as later. I
knew. Frank Riggs at that time. and
my close intimacy with Mr.. Glover did
lot begin until about five years later"
Colonel Roosevelt explained that he
did not know whether the Riggs Bank
was at that time a national bank or
not
HAS your acquaintance continued on
1T has," replied the Colonel. 1T was
close when l was Assistant Secretary Of
the Navy, when / was Vice President,
and when l was President of the United
States. This acquaintance grew to social
intimacy and to such an extent that
think was sufficient TO- me TO see Mr..
Glover at all angles.
He was a guest a our home and
later at the White House. My children
visited his children and were frequently
at his home both when he lived In town
and when he was at his summer resi-
dence.
Opposed T. r. In 1912.
Il never knew what his political re-
lations were"-and here the Colonel
broke into broad GRIM do know.
however" he continued. that in 1912 he
wa e.ther for Mr.. Taft or Mr.. Wilson.
and not for me-
came noisy with laughter. and Justice
Siddons. after rapplng for order, ad-
;nonished the crowd to remember this
y d courtroom"
When Colonel Roosevelt began to tell
of his accounts with the Riggs Bank. in
answer to questions by Mr.. Stanchfeld.
he was interrupted by District Attorney
Laskey, who objected TO the witness
testifying to anything other than his
personal knowledge Of the character OF
the defendant.
Attorney Stanchfeld argued that the
witness should be allowed to show the
general character of the defendant. and
the court ruled sustaining the conten-
ton OF the defense.
what do you know OF the defend