The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-06-27
WH|TAKERS ARE
READY To GO
ON TRIAL
Willing to Journey to Coast to
Answer Charges Of Dyer
Act Violation.

/. Norman T, Whitaker. patent at.
torney of Washington and inter.
nationally known as chess play.
err, stands ready to journey across
the continent, upon call, to stand
trial with his brother, Roland
Whitaker. of Philadelphia. his sis
tiers, Dorothy and Hazel Whitaker.
and Anna Bryant, the two last
named of Philadelphia, on charges
OF violation of the Dyer act, pro,
viding severe penalties for putting
atolen automobiles into interstate
commerce.
All were arrested at various times
during November, 1891, by agents
OF the Department of Justice. who
alleged that they were connected
with ring reaping thousands
year by collecting automobile dam
age insurance on stolen machines.
The case was fought up to the
District of Columbia Court Of APP
peals on q question of the consti-
tutionality of the Dyer act. not
yet tested in the Supreme Court
Of the United States. The first.
named tribunal ruled that mas
much az the defendants appeared
before 1t by virtue Of writs Of
ehabeas corpus, it could not under
take to act upon the question.
They were directed to appear In
1sAE kok -
Southern District of California. at
Los Angeles, where a grand fury
had already found true bills against
them.
All Ready TO Appear.
Norman Whitaker is at liberty
on $4,000 bond. the others having
furnished $4,000. All are said to
be ready to appear In court, though
there is some question az TO Wheth-
er their case will be set for trial
during the July term because Of
the fact that their attorneys have
filed demurrera to the indictments.
If the court hears the deniurrerS
it is unlikely that the trial will
occur next month.
Whitaker and his party are
alleged to have ridden into Cali
foFnia in a stolen machine July,
1871. IT was said to have been
driven by, one Harris Drexel, Of
Philadelphia, alleged to have been
named Ethel Ford, 1t was strongly
intimated later that these two
might appear as Government wit
neases,
After indictments had been re.
turned copies were sent East for
tile removal of those named. War
rants were served on Norman and
Dorothy Whitaker in Washington,
on Miss Bryant and Roland Whit
aker in Baltimore, and on Hazsl
Whitaker in Philadelphia, All ap-
peared before United States COM
rnissioners. who set bond. The
case was taken up to the Court OF
Appeals on writs Of habeas corpus,
and the decision of that court
handed down December, 1922.
Awaits Notice.
Norman Whitaker's attorney said
today his client was awaiting no.
tice to appear for trial from the
United States attorney for the
Southern District Of California.
Whitaker II a highly educated
and versatile man, He attended
the University of Pennsylvania, Ok
ford University, England, George.
town University and National Uni.
versity. His prowess as a chess
player is known both here and
abroad and he was one of the first
in the world to play the master
game by wireless. who's Who IN
the National Capital" for-1921-22
showed him a member Of the Ma
tional Press, University and Ma.
tional City Chess Clubs, q Delta
Chi fraternity man, and Enembar
of the Sons of the American Revo,
luton and Odd Fellows. He has
lived in Washington since 1912, but
at times maintained homes in Phil.
0anan Cifv NJ n