Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-15
Justice Agent Says Man Tried
to Destroy Paper When
Deputy MarshaIs Came.
SAID TO HAVE OFFERED
NOT TO DAMAGE NAME
Hardy Tells Court Mrs. Hillenbrand
Thought She Could Get 100000
if Bird Would Withdraw.

vivid word picture Of conference
at which the defendants were arrested
was unfolded to a District Supreme
Court jury today by Samuel w. Hardy,
Department Of Justice agent and prin-
cipal Government witness against five
persons charged with conspiracy to
blackmail Capt. and Mrs. C. c. Calhoun.
Hardy testified James F. Bird, one
or the defendants, hurriedly tore an
alleged agreement in half when two
deputy marshals raided the conference
IN downtown ONCE building on a
signal from the agent. The mutilated
paper was identified by Hardy after
9 e GoidStein, an assistant United
states attorney, had introduced 1t in
evidence. 1t contained the signatures
OF Mr.. and Mrs. w. Clark Noble. The
other defendants, Bird, Mrs. Anna Hill
ienorand and Stephen A. Armstrong,
IT., had not signed the contract.
Says $4,000 Was Promised.
The agreement, prepared by Hardy.
contained the stipulation the defend
ants would not make public charges
oerogatory to the character OF Capt,
and Mrs. Clarence C. Calhoun, COM
planning witnesses. The agent testified
they were 10 have received a check for
$4,000 in exchange for signing the con.
tract.
Goldstein also read to the fury an
agreement Of similar nature. which
Hardy declared had been offered by
Bird. The outstanding clause in this
contract was that the defendants would
refrain from making statements dam
aging the regulations of the Calhouns.
Objected to Phrasinx.
prepared the proposed substitute for
Hardy's agreement because he was op-
posed to the use of the word "deroea-
tory" and certain other phrasing In the
original document.
The agent said Bird declared he
would not sign the joint agreement but
would enter into a separate contract
on receiving the check.
Hardy told OF an earlier conference
az which Armstrong said Mrs. Hillen-
brand had told him she could obtain
S2OO, 200 from the Calhouns II Bird
should withdraw from the picture. The
witness added both Bird and Armstrong
appeared unusually nervous during the
last of several conferences he had with
them while posing as the personal rep
resentative Of Calhoun.
Alleges Threats by Bird.
Hardy first disclosed the basis of the
alleged blackmail demands late yester-
day. He quoted Bird as threatening to
publish charges that Capt. and Mrs,
Calhoun had diverted to their own use
millions OF dollars belonging to the
Woman'S Universal Alliance
Hardy added Bird had fatty refused
his countless invitations to examine the
organizations books and learn whether
the charges could be true.
Bird said" Hardy related. "investi-
CATION of the books meant nothing to
him; 1t was either pay that money or
stand the consequences"
Hardy quoted Bird as contending the
Calhouns owed Noble between S270.-
900 and 100000. The agent said Bird
promised Noble would not become az
f1liated with rival mothers memorial
organization if the Calhouns paid $780,
600.
At one stage of the negotiations,
Hardy reported. Armstrong told Call
houn his post-dated checks would be
accepted If he did not have $50 900 on
deposit at that time. The agent said
Armstrong declared he was q financial
agent and could handle" such checks.