Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-04-05

chief witness for the government. :
Mr.. May said that it seemed to hin
clearly an effort to embarrass tn,
government.
Governor Stresses Quietness
After the recess, Gov. Brewste,
cautioned the audience to keep quiet
speaking of the incident of last nigh
when he ordered the hall Of tn,
House to be cleared.
Continuing his testimony. Mr.. Ma,
said that he did not get into com
mun1cation with Sheriff Cumming!
when he learned that an effort wa.
being made to get extradition papers
for Letz.,
did you make an effort to learr
whether or not Sheriff Cumming.
was the instigator OF the complain
against Letz," asked Judge Con
molly.
'This inquiry, Judge Connolly
said Gov. Brewster, sis not calculated
to serve the interests of any one con.
cerned. We have allowed grea
deal of latitude in this case"
II ask for a continuance tina
Weever (Federal prohibition agent,
may come here and testify" sale
Judge Connolly.
Gov. Brewster replied that IL nee.
essary, Mr.. Weaver will be sum.
moned.
I'VE are endeavoring to try tn,
original case" said Attorney Garter
for the State, 1--WE are not trying the
case of the sheriff against the Fed.
eral prohibition department.
Was there a conference between
Lett. Blouin and the McDermott
woman" asked Judge Connolly.
Il understand that there was re.
piled Mr.. May.
And where was that conference
held?''
I'm the Jail parlor, understand
Did your department investigate
Sheriff Cummings"
rSometime during July. 1928.
heard complaints or stories about
Sheriff Cummings. About that time
l received a telephone call from
Walter NJ. Sanborn of Augusta, wht
was at the time the county attorney
OF Kennebec county. Mr.. Sanborf
stated that he wished to have Il con
terence with me. We met on the
highway between Auburn and Win
throp.
Continuing, the witness testified
that Mr.. Sanborn turned over two
anonymous letters to him and he
asked the witness to go ahead with
an investigation of Sheriff Cum
mings.
1--WE discussed the means of going
about an investigation" said the wit
ness.
Have you the letters which were
given you by County Attorney San
born" asked Attorney Carter.
Here they are" said the witness
producing two letters.
Attorney Carter said that he would
not offer the letters.
Continuing, the witness testified
that some Waterville men were sum-
moned to Portland and he and Coun-
ty Attorney Sanborn had other con-
ferences.
May Letters to Cummings
Three letters sent by Mr.. May Ia
Sheriff Cummings. in January and
February Of 1925. were introduced by
the state as evidence, in cross eX-
animation of Mr.. May by Senator
Carter.
One, bearing the date of Jan. IS.
1925, stated that Mr.. May had II
number of men available who might
be able to purchase liquor In the
county, and would he placed at the
service of the sheriff if he could get
several hundred dollars from the
county commissioners to cover their
expenses and the cost of buying evil
dence. Cases would be presented in
the county courts. according TO the
plan. and fines would go to the coun-
ty. to cover the original expense.
Mr. May received no reply to this
letter he said, and he sent another
under date of Feb. g. 1925, in which
was enclosed a statement of Haven
A. Roberts. former county sheriff,
favoring the May scheme. There was
no reply. Mr.. May declared with
some asperity. (
Another was sent. dated Feb. 81.
1925, enclosing a letter from Sheriff
King Z. Graham of Cumberland
County. Still there was no reply.
The letters of January were sent
to each sheriff in the state, Mr.. May
said. He was about. to answer a
question as to how many responded
when Gov. Brewster interrupted him.
stating that it did not matter in the
present case.
"Do you know if Sheriff Cummings
men you had sent to this county,"
asked Mr.. Connolly, and Mr.. May
said he did not know what the de-
Tense counsel was talking of.
do you know if other sheTiffs had
fees for their deputies cut in half.
or if the county commissioners were
willing to grant funds?"
NO." admitted Mr.. May. He said
he proposed to employ regular agents
in the working of his plan.
Men of the grade of Weaver and
Corbett?"
Yes, perhaps" said the deputy di-
rector, but he could not tell who he
had available at the time.
He was asked if he intended to
employ informers. He said he had
none. He was asked if one OBrien,
employed in Portland at one time,
was a regular agent or an informer.
1--WE have authority to employ men
from time to time to assist in inves-
said Mr.. May.
Spoilers or informers, aren't
they?" asked Mr.. Connolly.
"Why. yes
The witness admitted he never
talked with the Kennebec County
commissioners to get their reaction
to his plan, and he agreed that COM
in some counties were
hard to convince when it came to
voting sums of money.
Judge Maher Heard
Attorney Benedict T Maher of
Augusta testified that he had been
associated with Attorney Burleigh
Martin of Augusta in acting as coun-
sci for Calix Blouin in 1924, and he
and Attorney Martin had advised
Blouin that the proper procedure
would be for his wife to get out a
process against Lett: Mrs. Blouin
with attorneys went to the municipal
court and procured the warrant
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