Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-25
A n ii Saloon League
Superintendent, Ac-
cused of Forgery,
Tells Of Gifts I'm
known BenefactOr-
Admits Does Not
Even Know Where
He Lives or Whether
Now Dead or Alive

New York. Jan. Civilian r.
Anderson. state superintendent OF
the Anti Saloon League today told
n strange tale of the manner in
which he acquired approximately
1925, 900 which he claims to have
loaned to the organization of which
he is an official
Tho story was reluctantly unfolded
at tho direction OF Supreme Court
Justice Tompkins and under the per-
slstcnt hammering OF Assistant Dis
lrict Attorney Pccora who IL pro-
scouting the league head on an in
dictment charging forgery In the
third degree.
The recital. involving the gift Of
n comparative stranger. who. An
dcrson, said provided the small for
tuno because he like his kind OF a
darn fool" was made with Anderson
on the stand in his own defense. after
he had made IL categorical denial OF
tho states accusations against MN
John Il. King" address unknown,
was the Identification given 10y An
orson of his mysterious bcnefaCtor.
The stranger, he said. introduced
himself IN the Baltimore offices OF
the Anti Saloon League of Maryland
lato In 1912. After a futile attempt
to induce him to take Job guar
nnteoing him $4,000 II year An
dcraon told tho jury in an even voice,
King" because, he liked my kind
of Il dnln fool and believed In the
probation cause" invested his own
money for the league heads account
and accumulated the tidy fortune Tor
him
A tense silence held the court room
throughout the recital, and not un-
IN pecora had obtained from the
witness tho admission that he did
not know whether King now was
alive or dead did the tension break.
First Il giEgle was heard, ana then
handclnpping started. hut the dem
onsiration was cut shott by the
courts pounding gavcl.
Tho King" testimony provided
the climax for the dny--n climax that
capped several smaller ones provid-
cd by three other defense witnesses
who paved the way for tho appear
anco of the defendant Under the
questioning of his chief counsel. or
mcr Governor Whitman, Anderson
told Of his prohibition activities OF
the past % years.
Interrupted in II detailed recital or
tho functions and activities OF the
New York league by. fccora's OBJ
lection he told OF his relations with
~ Icrtsnll Phillips. league fund soli'
citor. whose accusations form the
hnsis for the forgery indictment upon
which Anderson is now being tried.
1t was before Anderson had engaged
linn, Phillips previously, had testified.
tho league head told him he must
split" his commissions ON collections
when they exceeded $4,000 in any one
year. Anderson coutradicted this fiat
Is. declaring nothing was said OF
split" commissions until June. 1918.
ut which time Phillips himself proros-
cd that he give his superior part
Of his earnings.
"Hc returned TO mo after We had
had conference one morning. Andcr-
son testified. and said he thought II
emily fair that | take half OF his earn
ings above $4,000 n year. because as
sisted him greatly IN getting sun
Scripticns. ! told him l would thlhN
IL over.
lie Thought 81 over. he said. and
agreed that Phillips proposal was
only Justice to me-" and fer three con-
Yccutfvc years the two shared hair or
ELL commissions in excess or SlV'"oo
rand annually to Phillips. Anderson
hen denied he had told Philips ne m
tended 20 make certain contract WIN
him in order to fool the RocketclicfS'
Speaking OF the $4,000 which he Is
alleged to have ordered TRANSFORMED III
the league books from Philips saafN
account to phnlips' expense account
Anderson declared he had agreed 10 the
transfer in Justice to the collector Dc
cause the money represented '''
split" commissions paid to the league
head FOR the year 1920.
Asked why he had ordered the item
transferred to Phillips expense &C
count. Anderson replied that ne con-
Sidcrcd IL belonged there in view vi
The fact that the collector was el'lhS
him compensation for assistance III w
Gucing persons 10 subscribe TO the
league funds.
Il paid the money I received from
Phillips to the league" he added
During cross-examination. ieoora
hurled his questions at the witness
head and Anderson replied IN sha'p'
crisp tones. admitting that Iohn -
Rockefeller and his son had contriu'
uted to the league approximately So
000 year for three years after M,
lips became its fund solicitor. Before
that. he said. the elder kocNe'e''''
only contributed $4,000 wear