Evening star., 1927-11-02
Action Is Taken
by Justice
SiddOns..
DEFENSE JOINS
NU.
Arrangements tor
New Trial to Be
Made Soon.

criminal conspiracy trial of Albert
B. Fall, former Secretary OF the In
terror, and Harry F. Sinclair. New
York oil magnate, ended today, for
the time being. in a mistrial.
Justice Frederick L. Siddons, in
declaring a mistrial and promptly
dscharging the jury, based his ac-
tion on charges of jury tampering,
including allegations that detectives
employed by the defendant Sinclair
had sought to make improper con-
facts with jurymen. Joining with
the court, counsel for the Govern
ment, as we'll as for the defense, had
previously agreed unanimously that
it would be useless to proceed
further with the original jury in the
box.
New Trial Due Soon.
Arrangements for another trial of
the famous Teapot Dome case.
which ended on this its thirteenth
day, will be made soon at confer
ence between counsel Owen ]. Rob-
erts of special Government counsel
stated that the prosecution favors a
date in January.
Meanwhile. the 10 men and 2 wom-
en- constituting the jury are under
instructions from the court to ap-
pear before the grand jury tomorrow
morning at 10 o'clock. This grand
jury is inquiring into. the Govern
ment's charges that the jury was
Improperly shaiowed by private op-'
efatives of the Burns agency, and
that Edward ]. Kidwell, jr., juror
No. IL, had boasted before witnesses
that he expected to get a car as
long as block" Afhdavits submit
ted by the Government backing up
the charges are in the hands of the
grand jury.
Justice Siddons. in closing the trial.
notified Kidwell in open court of the
allegations involving him. but took no
further action against him for the
present.
that the allegations involving him
were lies" and the result of news
paper frame-up" He will deny every
thing. he said. before court.
Slate Wiped Clean.
The mistrial that resulted today
means that the slate in the present
case has been wiped clean and that
the Government must present all over
again before a new jury. Every scrap
of evidence by which it is seeking to
convict the two defendants of con-
spring to defraud the Government of
the Teapot Dome Oil reserve must he
presented anew. Witnesses must be
brought here, at Government expense,
for second time from as far as the
Pacific Coast.
The scene in the courtroom was one
long to be remembered. Every seat
was occupied long before the conven-
ing hour of 10 o'clock and hundreds
7nilled about the corridors and outside
the building in vain endeavor to gain
admission. The air was tense with
suspense.
Sinclair came in a few minutes be.
fore court time. He did not appear in
the least disturbed. Dressed ir the
same blue suit, he took his accustom-
Fd seat EEIAStfl HIS COuItcCt BCdI tie
jury box. He talked animatedly with
his attorneys. Martin w. Littleton
and George p. Hoover.
Fall Appears Next.
Next TO appear was Fall, who shoul.
dered his way through the crowd to
sit, dejectedly. between his counsel on
the left of Sinclair. His wife, who has
been in constant attendance. was in
her seat among the spectators. Necks
craned to see the two defendants, Sin
clair, who is already under three
month Jail sentence, and Fall, who
must stand a bribery trial with Ed.
ward L. Doheny. after the new trial
of the Teapot Dome case.
Justice Siddons was nearly 10 min
utes late in appearing. His usual bland
features were drawn and severe.
Bring in the jury" the court or
dered.
One by one the 2 women and 10
men filed into the courtroom amid a
buzZing of anticipation. The jurors
looked very solemn. Kidwell. particu
lar1y was pale as he took his seat
nd sat with hands clasped In his lap
facing the court.
over Kidwell's head hung the pros
pect OF whatever punishment the
legged violation OF the courts order not
to discuss the case during the period
Of the trial or to permit any one tt
discuss it with him.
Hush EnvelOps Room.
Counsel for both sides, seven II
numbers, sat facing the court will
grave countenances. There was M
sign of detection, however, upon thei
faces.
4 hush prevailed the courtroom a,
Justice Siddons. in low. firm voic'
addressed counsel and the jury.
He said: ~
Before announcing action the cour
has concluded TO take on the matte
submitted by counsel for the Govern
ment yesterday in the form of sewers
affidavits ! think it but fair 10 Juro
Kidwell to say TO him that he |
named in affidayits by J. Ray Acker
and Donald r. King. i'm which ther
are alleged certain statements. | ca
attention to the existence OF tn
affldavits as being part of the cour
record. | ask you fspeaking to XII,
welh to make no statement ai thl
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