The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-20
DR.. WEISS DENIES
DISLOYALTY CHARGE
Says He Was Drunk If He
Voiced Alleged Seditious
Sentiments.
JURY GETS CASE TO-DAY
Prosecutor Asserts Intoxica-
ton Defence Would Defeat
Espionage Law.
JURY GETS CASE TO-DAY

Or. George c. Weiss Of Mount Vernon.
one OF the best known physicians In
Westchester county. was tried In the
Federal District Court before Judge J.
c. Hutcheson and jury yesterday
charged with violating the espionage act
by making seditious statements Judge
Hutchinson will give his charge and the
case will go to the jury to-day.
TIE defence entered by Or. Weiss as
n witness for himself was that II he
made the remarks attributed TO him in
the villa California, an inn in Yonkers
avenue between Yonkers and Mount
Vernon, he was drunk He had no
recollection OF having made them. he
said.
James s. Johnson, Assistant United
States Attorney. said in summing UP
the Governments case that II the jury
accepts drunkenness as an excuse for
disloyal remarks the purpose Of the
espionage law will be defeated. He
said Dr. Weiss had too much sense
when sober to express his real feelings.
but that when In his cups his tongue
wagged freely and disloyally.
Hotel Keeper Chief witness.
DIR. Weiss was charged with saying ::
The Germans will win this war. l am
Hun and don't give damn who
knows il. The Dutch Is In me and it's
coming out. II they take my son will
make them pay for it
The principal witness for the Govern
ment was Dial Hawkins. former light
weight boxer. who runs the Villa Calf
fornia. He said that on June 16 Or.
Weiss appeared at the inn and after
buying and drinking pint OF wine
made unpatriotic remarks. Fearing a
riot he said, he put the doctor out.
On cross-examination A. @. Gilbert,
counsel for Dr. Weiss. sought to show
that personal snimus had something to
do with the lodging OF complaint
against Or. Weiss.
did you make the complaint because
Dr. Weiss had previously stated that
he had been robbed at your place.
asked the lawyer.
NO He never made any such COM
plant TO me. He sent me check for
disputed bill"
Are you not known az the English
man. and do you not run a roadhouse
NO was born in San Francisco
and I run q hotel
Were You formerly prize fshter?''
Yes. and afterward a clerk at the
race tracks"
Was Dr. Weiss drunk when he made
the remarks you complain Of
II would not say he was drunk. but
| his actions indicated he had been drink
, ing"
DR.. Weiss asserted he had bought Lib
| erty bonds. subscribed for the Red Cross
| fund. kept the American flag flying out
| oiJ nd
exercises in New Rochelle.
! On Sprees for Years.
He Identified a letter he wrote to his
son James on Memorial Day. 1917. The
son IL IN thu army at Los Angeles. In
this letter he wrote: Between desire
| and duty In this crisis there 10 but one
path Every medical man, old or young
win be called to the colors soon for for
elan service"
The defendant said he has been coins
on periodical spress for years He has
been in sanitariums twice. he said. Fo,
year or so prior TO June 10 he had
taken only an occasional drink. On that
day he had a couple Of drinks at hi:
home and then went Cor an automobile
ride, making stops at inns on City Island
and at Rye Beach and New Rochelle
! At each stop he drank cocktails oil
whskey straight. he said.
The following day. Sunday. he re-
peated the round Of resorts. he said. AND
drank himself into a condition where his
mind became blank. He had no recol
lection OF visiting the Villa California
lie said. He added that his opinion o.
the place was poor, because a year be
fore he had been charged s45.S5 Their.
FOR wine he did not remember ordering
IIap LIT
and other witnesses tell OF remarks the,
say you made at the Villa California ar,
they indicative of your feelings TOWARD
this Government" asked Mr.. Gilbert.
They are not. haven't a disloya
drop OF blood in my veins and I have al
ways been ready TO do my bit for tn,
country"
DR.. Weiss. who was born in Germany
Is 81 years old.