New Britain herald., 1926-09-30
MERTON CASE VAS
 SAME AS OTHERS
Dau6herty-Miller Defense Puts
 on Its Evidence

New York, Sept. 30 (4) - Every possible aid was given Richard Mer- ton, German metal magnate, in fll- ing his claims for S7,000,000 of im- pounded enemy property. George F. Williams testified today at the Daugherty-Miller conspiracy trial. However, this was the rule and not the exception, Williams said.
 Williams, at the time the claims were paid, was managing director for Thomas W. Miller as alien pro- perty custodian. Miller and Harry NJ. Daugherty, former attorney-gen- eral. are on trial on charges of con- spiracy 10 defraud the United States.
 Questioning Williams about his contracts with Merton, William g. Rand, for Miller, asked Williams if he gave Merton all the aid he could possibly give him.
 Absolutely" Williams replied.
 Was that your duty?"
 Tt was not only my duty, but we were under positive orders from Miller to help all claimants all we could"
 Did you ever talk with Miller about these claims of Merton's?"
 T talked with Miller once infor- mally. Miller introduced Merton to me and he discussed the claims in- formally; then he gave no instruc- tions about the claims beyond the us- ual orders. I did not talk to Miller again on this subject until after Mer- ton had gone back to Germany to produce additional papers,"
 It had been objected by counsel for Daugherty and Miller in the chamber discussion yesterday that testimony regarding conversations Merton had with Williams were not admissible, unless it were shown that he was 0 co-conspirator.
 Although Rand launched AIiller's defense without an opening address, his questioning of Williams revealed that an attempt will be made to show that the $7,000,000 claims were valid and that they were paid in good faith.
 The government in arguments during the presentation of it's case contended that the conspiracy charge could be shown regardless of whether Merton's claims were called.
 The first witness called was George E. Williams, of Passaic, N. J., managing director of the alien property custodian's office. Previ- ous witnesses testified Williams tu- tored Richard Merton, German met al magnate, in filing for the Societe Suisse Pour Naleurs De Mataux claims for the impounded shares of the American Metal company
 William $. Rand, counsel for Mill Ter, began the defense without an opening address. Daugherty's de- fensc will be conducted separately.
 Just before Williams took the stand, Judge Mack ruled that Will Hams had not been shown to have had in 1921 guilty knowledge of the alleged corrupt agreement of Daugh- erty and Miller to defraud the United States. For this reason he said, Williams was not considered a as the government had alleged, but testimony regard ing him would remain in the record on another ground.
 Williams said that while he know of Jesse W. Smith, aide to Daughter ty who committed suicide, he was positive that he had never seen him and knew "absolltcly" that Smith did not introduce Merton to him. He could not recall Merton's first visit to the alien property cus- todan's office in regard to filing the claims.
 Asked if he knew Daugherty. Will Hams said he had heard of him, but saw him in court today for the first time.
 Williams recalled Merton's second visit in July, 1921. He said he had confidence in Merton and believed what Merton told him. At this time Williams testified, that the depart ment's atention was directed at re- turning impounded properties rather than seizures.
 Dismissal Refused
 Conduct of the Daugherty- Miller trial passed into the hands of de- - -