New Britain herald., 1926-09-15
MERTON FINISHES { TESTIMONY TODAY
Government Finds ItSeli in
 Peculiar Situation

New York, Sept. Is lF--Rlchard Merton, German metal nagnate, who has been on the stand for six days in the trial of Harry NJ. Daugherty and Thomas ". Miller, finished his testimony today.
 After two and one half days of severe redirect examination the government told Merton they had no further need Of him. William Rand, counsel for Miller. did not ask Mer- ton any more questions, but de manded of the court that the wit ness be held in reserve in case he is needed for further cross eXamina- tion. Merton said he would await the call of the court at his hotel.
 The government today found it. self in an anomalous situation in re- gard to Merton, Ror two days it hammered on his testimony, given under cross- examination, in an ef- fort 10 show that his claims for ST. 100000 of American Metal com .pany's shares seized under the trad ing with the enemy act, were not valid and that Merton. in presenting the claims had concealed informa- ton that would have defeated his purpose had 1t been revealed. The government. in statements involved in questions it asked Merton, also inferred that Merton's testimony that the American Metal shares had 1,a cn ciete Suise prior to the war was a myth.
 Prior to the trial, however, United states Attorney Buckner informed newspaper men that he wished to have 1t made clear to the public that Merton and his brother and other German and Swiss citizens involved in the claims, were entirely without blame.
 Still Attacks Merton
 The government continued its at tack on the testimony of Richard Merton. German metal magnate, on whom it chiefly depends for proofs of it's charges of conspiracy against Harry M. Daugherty and Thomas w Miller.
 Merton began his sixth day on the witness stand under a severe re-di- rect examination by United States Attorney Emory +. Buckner. His questions revealed the intent of proving by Merton that inc claims for s7,000.o00 which he alleges Daugherty and Miller conspired to pay were not valid.
 Merton. under cross examination by counsel for Miller had stated that the oral transfer of the shares of the American Metal Company was caused by pressure exerted upon him and his brother by Leopold Dubois. president Of the Swiss bank and director of the Societe Suisse. The Swiss bank and the Societe Suisse, Buckner has asserted were one and the same. Merton testified that the Societe Suisse was hold ing company for shares of the metal bank and the metallCesellschaft
 The American Metal Company shares have been orally obligated as guaranty against the depreciation Of the German mark. Merton said. Buckner hewed and hacked at Mer- tons testimony in an effort to show that this pressure" was not borne out by the financial conditions in Germany and the status of the vari- ous companies in March 1917 when the oral transfer is alleged to have been made.
 Buckner asked Merton why the societe Suisse had not asked the American Metal Company 10 show on its books the transfer of its shares 10 the Societe Suisse.
 Tn a long and involved answer, Merton replied that he still owned the stock at that time. that as German officer he did not wish 10 put in writing auGht that would re- veal belief on his part that Ger many would lose the war. and that on general business principles he had not thought il advisable to actually sign away the stock until absolutely necessary. He added that there was no intent 10 revive; only to protect.
 Virtually all Of the testimony Merton has given in the last three trial days has been admitted over objection on the promise Of Buck ner to show a connection that will make 1t adhere and binding on Miller and Daugherty and that will ad- vance proof Of conspiracy.
 Aside from tho standing blanket objections Of counsel for Miller and Daughertv. the record is splattered with specific exceptions which will remain even If the promised conncc- ton is made.
 Validity Questions
 The validity of a $7.o00, O0O Ger man claim paid hy the American treasury has been questioned q sec md firaa in bo