New Britain herald., 1925-01-27
Called As Witness For Defense In Felder- Means Trial Judge Lindley Refuses His Request.
Former Attorney General However, Denies Vigor- ously That Accused Dis cussed Cases With Him.

New York, Jan. 27.--Harry M. Daugherty, former attorney general of the United States, called as a witt ness for the defense today in the Felder-Means trial In federal court, was denied permission by Judge Lindley to tell the details Of the sit uation existing at Washington dur ing the events leading up to the in- dictment of the defendants.
 MT. Daugherty said that for some time the state of affairs in Washing ton was such that there were men in the capital who were "hellbound and spellbound.".
 T would like at this time to tell the true story of that situation if am permitted to do so," said MT. Daugherty. Judge Llndley refused him permission.
 Denies Charges.
 paughtery denied that Thomas B.. Fielder, one of the defendants, ever talked to him about indictments then pending against the Crager System a company manufacturing glass caskets Fielder and his former client, Gaston B. Means, are being tried on charges of conspiring to bribe high government officials. including Daugherty in attempts to quash { the glass casket indictments.
 Did Gaston Means ever talk to ah # !, art, Frank F. Walsh. defense attorney.
 He never did" replied Mir. Daugherty
 Did Jarnecke (Means' former sec retary) ever talk to you about it?"
 He never did" answered the witt ness,
 T will ask you whether or not t Is . fact that Col, Fielder called upon you on one occasion when you were ill in Washington and spoke to you about the glass casket case?"
 He never did" said Daughterey. None Of these men ever discussed the glass casket case with me-"
 Views on Character.
 Mir. Daugherty testified that he had known Fielder for fifteen years and perhaps longer. and that he had been associated with him and his law firm when Fielder was a resi- dent of Atlanta.
 Asked what he knew of the repu- tatlon of Fielder. Daugherty said:
 During the last three or four years could not testify to the repu- tation of any man. especially if he held high public position. The higher and more efficient he Is. the more he is subjected 10 attack. Until this case came up ,m quite sure I never heard any reflection upon his (Felder's) reputation."'
 Did Not Know Names
 MT. Daugherty said he did not know Means personally, and had talked to him only once, when Means spoke to him In the depart ment of justice building.
 Mir. Walsh asked the witness if he ever attended a conference at the Waldorf hotel Gin this city) in the early part or middle of October, 1922, at which there were present yourself, William J. Burns, Andrew W. Mellon and Goston B. Means" Before the witness could answer, Prosecutor Todd objected and Judge Lindley ruled out the question.
 Another question ruled out was one in which Mir. Walsh asked Mir. Daugherty If you ever stated 10 Gaston Means that there was a shortage or deficit in the republican campaign fund and that you. on that account, with Mr. Mellon and MT. Burns, would share in division of $65,000 which was to be collected from the glass casket defendants ?"
 Mir Daugherty told of a confer ence in Washington with several persons. including defendants and their attorneys, interested in the glass casket case.
 Tells Of Conference
 T knew that this case was the case to be considered, he said. "so I assembled two or three assistants so there would not be any misun- derstanding about it and think l asked MT. Todd to be present at the conference
 Most Of tho questions relating to thls conference were ruled out. IL was at this Juncture that Mir, Daugkerty appealed to Judge Lind. Icy for permission to tell the true story concerning this matter"
 After answering several questions dealing with the busting of Means from the government service. Mir Daugherty left the stand.