Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-23
Defense Counsel
For Anderson Raps
Chief State Witness

AVG" ork. Jan. 2Z-O BertSall Phil
lips, chief prosecution witness in the
forgery trial of Filliam II. Anderson
state superintendent of the Anti ga
loon League Of New York was TODAY
characterized by former Governor
Charles S. Whitman, principal de-
tense counsel, as traitor to his
country, a blackmailer and an extor-
ZIONIST.
The attack, delivered in a barrage
OF alternate questions and accusa-
lions, caused a sensation in the court
room, crowded to the doors for the
second day in the trial. In the course
of his denunciation the former COVER
nor accused the star witness of hav-
ing attempted to sell out" the lea
que head to O half score interests
identified with the fofce opposing
prohibition. Phillips left the stand
facing another ordeal, as court was
adjourned until tomorrow with Whit
man in the midst Of his cross eXami-
nation.
Conspicuous among those mention
ed as having been approached by
Phillips for money in ~retnrn for his
promise to deliver" Anderson were
the Rockefellers, father and SON:
Henry ]. Kaltenbach, an official Of the
Fleischmann Brewing interests and
of the National Brewers Association;
a number of New York newspapers,
Colonel Jacob Rupert, brewer and
owner of the New York Yankees, and
Ransom II. Gillett, chief counsel for
the New York division Of the Asso-
citation against the Prohibition
Amendment. 1t was to the latter,
Whitman charged. that Phillips. who
said he now was a fund solicitor for
the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton, offered to deliver" Anderson for
$4,000.
The name of J. +. Morgan and
Company was mentioned by Whitman
in connection with his accusations
that Phillips had in 1916 bee associa =
ted with several men who had pur-
chased from an employee in the MOI
gan offices Information relative 10
munition purchases by the allies ana
had thereafter sold the secrets 10
American munition interests.
did you not, in addition to aban-
doning your wife. and six children.
attempt to sell out your country
the former governor Numbered.
The witness stammered, hesitated.
then replied in the negative. Pressed
by the attorney. he admitted having
had business relations with some OF
the men later identified as having
.been concerned in the sale of NUM-
ton secrets. but pleaded that he
knew nothing of their activities.
Phillips, the days third witness.
told. under questioning OF assistant
District Attorney Pecora, of his en-
ployment by Anderson as league
fund solicitor in May. 1917.
II told Anderson / would work on
a ten per cent commission basis"
Phillips testified. But he said he
would have me sign contract giving
me n salary of 20 per cent of the
first $4,000 I collected, with ten per
cent of every additional SUM, An
derson told me he wanted to enter
into this agreement to fool the
Rockefellers,' who had been told any
league collector would be on a sal
airy basis and not a commission ar
rangement.
Later Anderson said to me: I get
$4,000 a year, and l won't let any
body in this organization get any
more than I do: when your commits
sions come to more than that
amount. you'll have to split with me
fifty nifty agreed, because had to
In order to hold my job"
Phillips then related that the first
commission split occurred in 1919,
when he gave Anderson approximate
ly $500. In 1920. however, his COM
missions totalled s1s,SS3. he said.
Without his knowledge. he explained,
Anderson had his (Anderson'sl share
of the commissions paid to him in
checks drawn to himself by the
leagues assistant treasurer against
Phillips salary account.