Evening star., 1926-11-22
SIX TALESMEN CHALLENGED
AS FALL-DOFENY TRIAL OPENS


Of this character during the present
case. Hogan asked Allen If he would
be among those who would listen in
on 1t.
Religion No Influence.
! Before Allen could answer, Justice
. Hoehling oVerruled the question, add
| ing that he would give proper in
/ structions to the jury later.
| Continuing his questioning. Hogan
brought out that the political and re-
ligious affiliations Of the defendants
would have no influence on any op1n-
ion that Allen might form. In reply to
questioning by Wilton J. Lambert,
Allen said he had served in 1924 on
one grand jury, but this was his first
case in a criminal court.
| Henry Byers Of 171S Newton street,
a driver for the American Express
| Co., then was called upon as tales
man No. 2 for examination by Maj.
Gordon. The talesman in answer to
| questions declared he knew of no rea-
, son why he should not sit as a Juror
in the case and that he knew no one
connected with it.
| In answer to Mr.. Hogan's ques-
tions, Byers asserted he never had
read anything about the case from
| it's inception until the present day.
| and that no books dealing with the
! subject had been invited to his at
tention. AS to Senator Walsh's radio
| talk two years ago, Byers declared, he
| didn't hear it, because I haven't a
| radio" Neither politics nor religion
| would influence his decision if called
| upon as juror, he told Mr.. Hogan.
Denies Knowing Policemen.
Mr.. Lambert inquired closely for
the talesman's acquaintanceship in the
local police force, particularly those
in the tenth precinct, where Byers
lives, and the talesman denied having
the officers. When asked to state the
city from which he came to Washing
ton, Byers replied, Alexandria. and
this was followed by a ripple of
laughter, which, however, was quickly
checked by the bailiff.
AS in the case Of Allen, Byers was
| permitted to retain his seat, and the
next man, No. 3. Thomas r.
Carey, colored, 4O3 Forty-flrst street
northeast bricklaying foreman for
the Wardman Construction Co., was
asked to the stand by Maj. Gordon. He
declared he had no knowledge Of the
case today, although he recalled hav.
| ing seen accounts Of the Senate in
veStigation in the newspaper.
| Mr.. Hogan inquired if the fact that
! the Government is represented on
one side and two individuals on the
other would affect his opinion, and
the talesman replied it would not, as
he would be governed solely by the
evidence In the case. Politics or re-
| ligion likewise would have no effect
on him. When Mr.. Lambert then
asked If he would give the benefit of
| doubt to the defendants, Maj. Gordon
objected, and Justice Hoehling re-
| iterated his declaration that he would
| cover that point in his instructions.
Fourth Talesman Called.
Carey was invited to sit down and
| George B. Cobb, 2S1S THIRD street
northwest, % years old, clerk in the
| Southern Railway. and occupant of
No. 4 chair, was questioned by Maj.
| Gordon along the same lines as the
, other three. Then the talesman told
| Mr.. Hogan that no one had said any.
thing to him either personally or
through members Of his family about
! the case, and that he knew nothing
! regarding book which started circu-
! lation here about two weeks ago. Mr..
; Hogan then inquired of Cobb and the
| other talesmen who had been
examined If the fact that one de-
, fendant Is known as q wealthy man
and the other a man in public life
would influence them in their de-
cisions
When they replied in the negative
Mr.. Hogan said: Then you'd treat
| them just as though they were John
Jones or John Smith,"
William c. Kues, SIG Newton place,
a retired motorman Of the Washing
ton Railway and Electric Co, and 63
! years old, then was called upon, after
Cobb had been permitted to sit down.
He told Maj. Gordon he read of the
case during the Senate investigation.
but had formed no opinion at that
time as to the guilt or innocence of
those concerned.
Didn't Hear Radio Talk.
In answer to Mr.. Hogans questions
he declared that he did not hear Sem
ator Walsh'S radio talk, because Il
haven't got radio and don't like
them" He asserted he knew nothing
OF book referring to persons in the
case and no one asked him to read a
book. Wealth or public prominence
would not enter into the case, he told
Mr.. Hogan. Mr.. Iambert's question.
ing brought out the fact that Mr.,
Kues had been stationed in Arizona
from 1886 TO 1887 while in the Army,
and this caused little interest to be
exhibited by Owen ,J. Roberts and
Maj Gordon. However. the talesman
was retained. and Robert L. Kennev,
a clerk in the Riggs National Bank
was called.
When Mai. Gordon asked the usual
question regarding the talesman S
knowledge of any one connected with
the case, kenney replied he knew Mr.
Hogan as q director and counselor
Of the bank. Mr.. Hogan then arose
and verified his connection with the
RixEs National Bank for Iustic