Evening journal., 1923-02-01
.ADAIR ON TRIAL,
IS OWN Counsel
Lawyer Is Charged With
Embezzlement in Sale
of Piano
TELLS OF
PAYMENTS TO HIM

Robert Adair. local attorney, un-
der a six months suspension from
the New Castle County Bar Asso-
citation, was placed on trial on a
charge OF embezzzlement this morn
ing before Chief Justice Pennewill
and Associate Justices Richards and
Rodney In General Sessions Court.
Adair. who has been a member OF
the bar since November 25. 1895. f.
charged in one indictment against
him with the fraudulent conversion
OF $50 entrusted TO him by Mrs Ella
V. Blocksom, OF this city. TO pay in
stallments on piano sold by John
Wanamaker. Inc. OF Philadelphia.
Another indictment on a some
what similar charge IS pending
against Adair. This charge was pre-
ferred by Edward duRoss. Trial on
this indictment was postponed until
the March term OF court because Of
the illness OF a witness for the State.
Adair is acting as his own coun-
sci. Deputy Attorney Generals
Switzerland and Finger are prose-
cutting.
The state contends that about two
years ago Mrs. Blocksom was in.
arrears on tho payment for a piano
obtained from John Wanamaker.
The firm communicated with tie
local attorneys here. Ward, Gray and
Neary, asking them TO look into the
case.
Mr. Switzerland said that Mrs.
BlocksOn sent two payments Of SIS
each 10 Ada!r TO send 20 the law
firm. Adair sent the money but
later failed 10 forward similar pay
ments from Mrs. Blocksom. con-
verting the money 10 his own use. Il
Is charged.
Herbert II Ward. Jr., a member
of the law firm representing Wana-
makers IN this city. was the first wit I
ness called by the state. He said 1
he had received two payments Of
SIS each from Adair-part payment I
FOR back installment due on the |
piano by Mrs. Blocksom. he declared /
after that, his firm failed TO receive /
any more payments. He said that ]
during the year Of 1921 and in the
first half Of 1922 ne wrote 10 Adair
about the account OF Mrs. BlocksOm.
but received no answers.
r. a. Mitchell. connected with
he collection bureau. piano depart
nent of Wanamakers' testified 10
having received $50 payment on the
piano sold 10 Mrs BIockson. this
sum having been sent TO the firm Of
Ward. Gray and Neary by Adair.
He said while Mrs. Blocksom con-
ends she paid Adair an additional
800 he had never received il.
John c. Jester. attorney testified
or Wanamakers. that late last
rear he went TO Mrs. Blocksom's
home where he learned that Mrs.
should have been credited
With $50 additional payment. He
aid Mrs. Blocksom told him that
ihe had paid Adair in all $50 and
lot $50 as Adair contends. This
vas In November OF last year.
Mr.. Blocksom. who lives at 425
south Grant avenue testified 10
.uying n piano from the Wana- ,
maker store on the installment plan
nd that because e financial diff
ulties she fell behind in her pay i
lents. After receiving letter from
he Philadelphia firm Ssking for !
Irther payments in February. 1920,
Re witness said she sent for Adair
nd that he promised "to fix il up"
Four payments of s15 each were
iade by her TO Adair. Mrs. Block
ON said. She said the defendant |
ever gave her receipt and that,
aving full confidence in him. she
ever asked for one. She said she
from Adair that Philip
. Garrett was counsel for the Wan
maker store. 7
Mrs. Blosksom said that Adair L
as her attorney. but that nothing
as said between them as TO the
mount of fee he was TO receive.
Under cross-eXamination Mrs.
locksom said she employed Adair n
an attorney and also. regarded d
m as a friend. She testified that C
hile no fee was mentioned she in C
nded TO pay him. II