The Washington times., 1925-04-24
WHEELER TRIAL
SPEEDS To-
CLOSE
Senator Walsh to Wind Up
Defense of Colleague.
Trial on 8 Days
BY KENNETH CLARK,
International News seryina.


GREAT FALLS, Mont, April "a.
The trial of Senator Burton K.
wheeler of Montana for alleged
misuse of office speeded rapidly to
a close in Federal court here today.
Wheelers is accused Of illegally re.
ceiving after election to the Senate
a $4,000 fee from Gordon Camp,
bell, Montana prospector, to handle
government oil permits before the
Interior Department.
Both prosecution and defense hav-
ing rested, final arguments began
today, and the case was expected
to reach the jury before nightfall.
Judge Frank s. Dietrich did not
set a limit on the length OF argu-
ments, but each side were not TO
consume more than two hours
apiece.
John L. SIattery, United States
district attorney, handled the final
argument for the Government in
GLIDING both the opening and clos
ing statements.
Final addresses of the defense
were delegated to Senator Thomas
j. Walsh of Montana, Wheeler's
colleague, and William r. O'Leary.
Great Falls attorney.
Completion Of the arguments and
the courts instruction to the jury
will bring to a close one Of the
most acrimoniously contested Grim.
inal cases in Montana history. Few
before have attracted such attention
and held so continuously the inter-
est of the entire State. The trial
has been in progress eight days
Opposing counsel repeatedly FLASHED
bitterly, constantly interposing OBJ
jections and motions to bar testi-
mony and evidence. Judge Dietrich
order and settle disputes.
Judge Breaks Impasse.
Decision to go ahead with argu-
ments today was reached only
when Judge Dietrich interposed to
break an impasse between rival
attorneys that threatened a recess
until Monday to await the appear.
ance of new witnesses from the
East. The fight was precicipated
over the defense's efforts to smash
the testimony of George B.. Hayes,
New York attorney, star witness
of the prosecution.
Hayes provided the big sensation
or the trial when he testified that
Wheeler, in a New York hotel lob.
by, In March, 1928. urged him to
replace the Senator in handling
Campbelps oil permits and iftiga.
tons before the Interior Depart
ment. Edwin S. Booth, formerly
solicitor Of the department, ar
ranged the meeting over long dis.
lance, telephone. Hayes said. Both
Wheeler and Booth denied any
knowledge Of the meeting or Of he
alleged offer.
Find No Record Of Call.
Telephone officials first reported
to the defense there was no, record
Of a call from Booth to Hayes. The
prosecution told the court that the
Department Of Justice had conduct
ed an independent investigation
and found no call because telephone
records had been destroyed. Neither
side would admit the others tells.
graphic information into evidence.
The court recessed four hours.
Finally telephone officials sent
another message to the defense, YER
flying the Governments informa-
VIVA SAA~I kAlC ACLOtA0 A4e%A DGCAI W.
stroyed. Immediately Walsh rested
for the defense. Without offering
rebuttal Slattery announced the
Government also concluded.
Subpoenas issued for the add
tional witnesses were revoked.
After this trial Wheeler faces q
second indictment in Washington,
charging him jointly with Booth
and Campbell with conspiracy to
obtain Montana oil and gas lands
from the Government.