The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1921-03-18

macon. Ga. March 17-Tellinp
calmly how he stole hundreds OF dol
lars worth of goods. including hi
cycles, lawn mowers. suits of clothes.
shirts. ladies' hose and dresses. r
c. Brinson OF Millen, former express
messenger, who pleaded guilty Mon
day to the charge Of stealing from
the American Railway Express COM
pany. was the leading witness for
the government today in the trial OF
the "a men charged with conspiracy
to steal s1,0O0.OOO worth OF mer-
chandise from the express com
pany while it was under government
control
Brinson. who was the last witness
OF the day, related how the stealing
began when the wages of the ex-
press messengers were cut during
the latter part OF 1917: how the
goods We're disposed OF through GER
tain agents along the road and how
he and other messengers received
orders for articles wanted
Brinson said the express messen-
gers formulated the combine TO steal
when the express company took away
bonuses and dispensed with the
checking system when the volume OF
business became too big 10 handle
with books.
w. A. Benson OF Chattanooga, as
sistant to the vice president OF the
American Railway Express company
In charge OF accounts. testified that
the American Railway Express COM
pany has already been reimbursed
from the United States treasury to
the amount OF sl9,700,OOO TO cover
loss incurred by the company dur
ing the six months guaranty period
extending from March l. 1920. to
September l, 1920. The loss and
damage claims for that period viii;
exceed $4,000, 200, according to
| Mr.. Benson.
Though the government has not
yet paid sl2.OOo.O0O for loss and
damage claims. ii has paid OFT an
average of $4,000, 600 a month COW
ering period OF four months In
January. 1927. sS34.SO375 was
paid out in addition TO the $4,000
900 paid in 1920. This las, sum
was also paid 10 cover claims ,or
traffic handled within the six months
period.
Mr.. Benson explained that claims
paid under loss and damage accounts
included expenses incurred through
loss. damage and destruction.
The loss and damage was in
CURED through goods stolen Mr..
R"nson said, in answer to Mr.. Pow
ers question on the matter.
Wallace Miller. attorney for 80 Of
the defendants, conducted the cross
examination for the defense
He asked Mr. Benson for the de-
felt from operation during the six
months.
The total deficit was s3O.S33.-
| S"9 Mr.. Benson answered
The gross receipts for the same Pc
riod were s62.77e.56O.56."
The story of how one customer of
the alleged conspirators wanted
small pig for roasting and how aft
er several days OF waiting the train
finally brought in big hog. was
told
Take II along, same price" the
customer was told according TO Brin-
son. when he objected To the size.
Then Brinson told how another
customer wanted a gitrs bicycle and
after waiting ten DAYS without get
ting one on his own run. he saws
he stole one from another messen-
gers truck and made -ne delivery.
AS he was telling the story a dep
uty United States marsh al rolled the
bicycle into the court room.
II talked often with F. F. Drn-
away at Oglethorpe with reference
to stolen property" Brinson said.
"Once left two suits Of clothing
with the express tags on them at