Evening star., 1932-12-27


[PThe Greek courts today rejected
an American petition for the extra
dition of Samuel insult, former Chi
cago utilities official
BY tine Associated Press.
ATHENS, December 27.-Samuel In
sull debonair and talkative, walked into
a court room Of this ancient Greek
capital today with the best legal talent
the country afforded to defend himself
against an extradition demand from
Chicago.
The former multimlllionaire utilities
operator is charged with embezziement
and larceny.
The hearing commenced at $50 am.
Mr.. insult asked for q translator and
Pandelis Raptarkhis, lawyer, was ap-
pointed.
Mr.. insult gave his identity and de-
clared he had no profession and that
he agreed that the hearing be public
He named Christie Ladas and Dionysi
Lazarimos attorneys for the defense.
Also present in court was Arthur
Page. his British attorney.
Protests Motion Pictures.
Soon after Public Attorney Riganakos
began his opening speech, Ladas inter-
rupted, protesting against the taking of
motion pictures. The president Of the
court issued an order prohibiting pho
tographing.
Attorney Riganakos. opening the case.
said extradition promotes universal
justice among civilized nations, all hav-
ing an interest in punishment of Of
fenses.
He explained Samuel insult was
chairman and Martin (his brother,
who is facing extradition proceedings
in Canada) was president Of the Mis-
sissippi Valley and the Middle West
Utilities Companies. He said Martin
insult owed debts to brokers who
pressed him for payment.
The brothers agreed through an at
torney, Riganakos continued, to pay
from the companies money and issued
check on bank account. This was
exchanged, he said, with another check
which was sent to the brokers. The
attorney said this procedure was fol-
lowed to cover embezzlement.
The attorney then read deposition
by Oliver Mccormick, treasurer of the
utilities companies, explaining how
Samuel insult approved vouchers and
proper officers issued checks for the
payment Of S66,000 and S104,000 to
Martin insults brokers.
The Mccormick deposition said the
authorities to make the payments was
based on Samuel insults approval.
The attorney also referred to deposit
tions by John A. Swanson. States at
torney of Cook County. ILL.,. declaring
the aforesaid act were punishable. At
torney Riganakos said he believed the
grand jury could not have indicted the
considered the act as embezzlement ac-
cording to Greek law and he demanded
extradition.
insult Lawyer Pleads.
Lazarimos, the junior counsel for In
sull, followed With long plea, explain
ing how loans were made according to
bylaws Of the companies. He declared
Mccormick, in his deposition, had said
that, being treasurer. he issued the
vouchers which Samuel insult approved.
The vouchers, the attorney said, were
checked by an auditor, booked by COM
petent clerks and approved by a con-
troller.
Treasurer Mccormick was respon-
sible for the custody OF the companies
property and, Lazarimos added, should
be indicted first if an offense existed.
oan5 The to by 1ad he
panies' intent to make civil loan con-
tract. he continued. was expressed by
competent officers # Mr; - insult 4 ,n omitted q
directors. Lazarimos said the RESPONSE
bility was civil. If the debtor was not
Sanuel's brother, but somebody else, no
doubt would exist against the defendant,
the lawyer added.
He went back over Mr.. Insults his
tory since the time when he was sec
retary to Thomas A. Edison, the in
ventor. He praised Mr.. insults ability
and character. He explained Mr.. In
sulls position when the loans were
made and insisted 1t was impossible that
his client had any interest to commit
an offense in order to pay brokers. He
explained Mr.. insult paid the brokers.
In order to avoid catastrophe" sale
Of the companies.
He appealed to the courts "con-
science" demanding rejection Of the
petition for extradition as not having
a legal basis
Christos Ladas. chief defense coun-
sci, asserted the United States upholds
the right of asylum, generally. denying
extradition except In cases where the
offense Is proved.
He described insult as a benefactor
Of humanity and praised the course his
client followed when disaster overlook
his interests. He had not finished
speaking at the midday recess.