Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-25
DEFENSE To CLAIM
THAT HAYNES TRIED
TO PROTECT BANK
Counsel Expects to Tell Jury
He Had Nothing to Do With
False Entries Charged.
DEFENSE PRESENTS CASE
AS GOVERNMENT RESTS
Two Former Directors Questioned
Before Prosecution Closes
After II Days.

The defense of Harry " Haynes
against the charges growing out Of his
acts as president OF the Farmers &
Mechanics National Bank will be that
he sought to protect, not defraud" the
institution.
This was brought out today by his
counsel. H. Winship Wheatley, after the
Government had rested its case and the
defense began presentation of its own.
Wheatley told the jury 1.-The defense
expects to show to you that the de-
PENDANT had nothing to do with the
false entries charged; that he did not
wilfully misapply any funds and that
he did not wilfully abstract any
securities"
1t is these charges that are alleged
against the banker.
Haynes First Witness.
wheatley said Haynes will be the
first witness, that he intends to take
him over every item covered in the
Il counts of the indictment againt
him.
Pointing to the fact there are two
experts" in bank matters on the jury,
Wheatley said they could have been re-
moved had the defense seen fit to chal-
lenge them, but I'VE left them on be-
cause We want to clear this up"
Wi1eatley also said that in general
the charges revolved around transac-
lions between the bank and Mrs. Louise
r Chambers. It was in this connection
he asserted that whatever Haynes did
was 10 protect not defraud the bank"
He likewise said he would show the
Jury how the bank had grown under
Haynes leadership that he intended
to bring out also Haynes position in
the banking world, emphasizing the
various posts he held, including a d.
rectorship in the American Bankers
Association.
AS the Government wound up its
case after IL days, two former men,
bers of the board of directors of the
bank were called to the stand.
They were Robert D. Weaver and
George L. Nicolson. Both were also
vice presidents CT the bank. 1t was
brought out by Nicolson that he con-
ferred with Paul C. Ransden. q bank
examiner. in September. 1928. after
certain alleged transactions Of Haynes
had come out as a result Of a direc-
tors meeting.
Minutes Introduced.
It was after attention was drawn to
these reputed transactions that w. p.
Folger, chief bank examiner. called the
mEeLlnE OF II1B D-dEQ WHICH IcSuAtC0
in Haynes rendering his resignation.
The minutes OF the meeting were
introduced into the trial. showing
Haynes was given leave Of absence with
pay, with the understanding he was
TO make every effort to adjust mat
tiers"
Both Nicolson and Weaver were asked
If they knew anything Of Haynes
stock transactions, and both answered
in the negative.
Nicolson also supported the testi-
nnony given by Ransden that when the
question Of an excessive overdraft was
brought up, Haynes did not admit 1t
was his. but said 1t was q temporary
matter only and would be adjusted.
Burnside Questioned.
other witnesses were H. W. Burnside,
who was assistant cashier of the bank,
who was asked to identity records bear
ing on the account OF Mrs. Chambers,
who, it had previously been shown,
owed the bank approximately $40, 900,
10 iquidate which approx nately $50, 900
was obtained by selling collateral she
had on hand at the bank.
D. C.. WiSecarver. an assistant book
keeper at Riggs National. which took
over the Farmers & Mechanics, was
called to identify records, as was John
j. Wilson, assistant United States at
torrey, who is aiding United States At
torney Leo A. Rover in the prosecution.