Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1922-02-12
BY Les HoFEIuNp.

TUCSON, AriZ., Feb. 1.-THE use
OF a dictaphone in recording conversa-
tons between Mrs. Luke and Matt
Keaton, after they were confined in
the Bisbee Jail on a charge of being
implicated in the robbery of the lRis
bee office on the night of April 3,
1921. has been a discOncerting revela-
tion TO the defense in the trial of
Mrs. Hattie Luke. which is making
strenuous fight against the admis.
sion of such conversations as evi.
dence.
The first intimation that the dicta-
phone would play a part in the trial
came yesterday afternoon. wher the
prosecution put w H. Webster, post
office Inspector. on the stand. When
asked to relate conversations lhat lie
said he heard on the dictaohons, the
defense promptly objected On the
ground that the instrument was nSt
installed by Webster, that he did not
know how il was connected up, and
that he could be sure that the CONVEX
sation he heard was between Matt
Keaton and Mrs. Luke CourI was
resumed this morning with Sveosc4r
on tho stand and the prosecution
satisfaction OF the court and Jury
that the instrument in question was
dictaphone, and that it was IIeaton
and Mrs. Luke whom he had heard
talking.
Describe Diotaphone.
Both Inspector Webster and Special
Investigator Rose, who installed the
dictaphone in the Jail. described the
operation of the instrument They cx-
planned that Keaton and Mrs. Luke
were confined in adjoining cells: that
the transmitters of the dictaIhonc
were hung in ventillator in tn. wall
of the corridor opposite to the doo-s
of their cells and between the two
and that the wires were then con-
Quoted to a receiving set in room
on the second floor of the building.
Rose explained that the instrument 5
so delicate that the slightest sounds
in the Jail could be heard, and that
conversation carried on, whisper or
a low tone OF voice, was even more
audible at the receiving end than enc
carried on In loud voice. A hang
OF the jail door, he said, would scum
like a shot in the ears of the listener,
and the conversation of Tex Barton,
jailer, in an outside office. could be
heard plainly.
Evidence Held Admissible.
With these facts established, Judge
Sawtelle held that the dictaphone evil
dence was admissible, but the c..-
tense continued their fight against it
along different lines, and none Of the
conversation heard over the mstr,,-
ment was related at today's session
of the court. Instead of continuing
with the evidence of Inspector Web
ster, United States ATTORNEY Flynn
called Inspector Means to the stand. i
Inspector Means related that o.. tn
morning of June he,s in c.r4ip1ny
with Inspectors Chance, Webster.
Cooper. Investigate rRose. Keaton an
Presley, went to the Luke ranch. He
said that while the others went into
the house he remained outside tolN
over the place. After a tina sirs
Luke came out. and he said that he
told her that he had been informed
that Postmaster Bailey had buried
some money on her place and that he
would like to know what she knew
about it. Mrs. Luke said that she
knew nothing about it,
II told herr" continued the witness,
that Matt Keaton had come th-oug,-
and had turned over his share of the
money, | had it then in package
under my arm. She said that Bailey
had been to the ranch the Sunday be-
fore his arrest and might have buried
something for all she knew. Keato1
asked to talk with her alone. and we
let him do so twice-keeping them in
sight. Later on, after we had made
search, Mr.. Webster and Mr.. PRESLEY
left. Rose. Chance and kent Keaton
there, and we went into the house and
spread the money out on the dining
room table and counted tive had
not had an opportunity to count it be-
tore. ] told her this was government
money and in the custody of the gov
arnmant and tbat 10 ,bo I,.,ox. -.