Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-11
PITTS IS GUARDED
BY MACHINE GUNS
Miss Helen L. Schneider, For
mer Secretary, Refuses to
Give Testimony.
Continued From First Page.)

declared he was requested to come to
Pitts home at Palm Beach, but that he
refused to do so.
He declared he offered his associate,
Horning, an opportunity to go down
to Palm Beach, If he so desired, and
that the latter availed himself of the
chance. He said Horning was suffering
from a cold at the time and thought the
climate In Florida might prove bene-
fetal.
Lambert testified that after the cues
ton OF the authenticity of the docu-
ments had been raised at the trial. he,
Frank @. Raichle and other defense
counsel discussed this matter and de-
cided to have them examined by an ex-
pert. This expert. he said declared
they appeared to be genuine. and that
they were introduced at the trial IN
that belief
Deputy marshals brought into the
court room four typewriters with which
the Government claims the authorize
tionS were prepared.
1t Is expected experts will be called
to testify the papers were typed on these
machines, which were seized b. internal
revenue agents in a warehouse where
Pitts is alleged to have stored them.
IakeS Unusual precautions.
United States Marshal Edgar c. Sny-
der admitted that unusual precautions
were being taken to guard Pitts in view
of the persistent rumors. These reports
include one that an attempt would be
made to release Pitts from the van and
that an airplane would be on hand to
transport him beyond the Jurisdiction of
the court. 1t was pointed out, however
that nothing resembling an attempt to
liberate the prisoner had been made.
Justice Let's adjourned court for five
minutes at II o'clock in observance of
the anniversary of the signing of the
armistice.
Flight Described.
The story of midnight flight by
Pitts from Alexandria to Richmond in
an automobile owned by William j.
wild Bib Donovan. former Assistant
Attorney General. and driven by his
chauffeur to avoid being served with
papers in a civil suit. was related at
the hearing this afternoon.
This testimony was given by Ed
mund M. Toland, one of the attor-
neys who played minor part in
Pitts defense.
Toland said he was called to the
George Mason Hotel in Alexandria
about IL o'clock one night in October,
1880. He said he was told at that time
that Deputy United States Marshal
John J. Clarkson was waiting outside
to serve Pitts with papers in civil case
that was then pending against him
Anxious to escape service in this case
Pitts decided to drive by automobile to
Richmond, Va. and board a train there
for Palm Beach, Toland declared
He said Mr.. Donovan's car and
chauffeur was then secured and that
Pitts, himself and another man left
the hotel by a side door. eluded the
marshal and drove to the Virginia cap
ital Toland emphatically denied that
he had any knowledge of the authori-
cations introduced at the trial CUES
toned by Justice Let's he said he was
employed in the case through Attorney
Frank @. Raichle, who at the time
was associated with Mr.. Donovan.
Among the spectators in court today
was lie Roy Vowel, foreman of the Jury
which last December found Pitts, Ana
dale and John H. Edwards, jr., guilty
OF conspiring to embezzle funds and de-
stroy records Of the Smith company.
Edwards and Anadale are serving peni-
Tertiary sentences. but Pitts Is being
held In the District jail pending appeal
OF his conviction.
Testimony Conflicts.
The most significant feature Of yes
terday's hearing was conflicting testi-
mony given by Emory L. Coblentz,
Frederick, Md, banker, and Frank G.
Raichle, formerly Pitts attorney
Coblentz said Raichle told him in
Florida that he would not use the au-
thorizations at the trial
The attorney said he had never dis
cussed them with Coblentz prior to the
trial and that he first saw the papers
after the trial had begun.
The banker said he went to Raichie
in the Mayfiower Hotel and that the
latter on that occasion said: e. L.,
both Pitts and Edwards have told me
on their word of honor that they have
burned all those papers"
Raichle said his only converse ton in
the hotel with Coblentz consisted of an
exchange Of pleaSantries and an inquiry
as to the state of the bankers health
Anadale testified he asked Raichle 10
call character witnesses in his behalf
and that the latter replied: You had
better let that drop, Ebert. For every
witness who will testify good about you,
the Government will call three to testi-
fy Ill about Pitts
First Saw Papers at Trial.
Anadale said he hrst saw the au-
thorizations when they were introduced
in evidence and that II they had been
shown him prior to the trial he could
have told counsel for the defense they
were not genuine.
He said he made several inquiries as
to the nature Of the defense to be Of
fered, but could get no satisfaction
from Pitts or defense counsel. He said
he saw 8 or 10 typewriters in Pitts
Florida home during the six-month pc
Rod preceding the trial.
In his examination Of Paichle, Mr.
Dodds brought out that Pitts had testi-
fed the authorizations were removed
at his direction from the Smith Co.
files before he resigned as president,
some time before the papers are alleged
to have been MANUFACTURED in Florida.
He put this question to Raichle:
Did you know that the papers we're IN
fact not taken from the Smith Co.
files prior to Pitts resignation"
Certainly not" the attorney replied.