Evening star., 1935-12-11


Describing himself in Congress
siondl Directory as graduate OF
university of hard knocks" Cali
tornta's Representative HoeppeI
took a jolt last Spring tUith publt-
cation of charges by former Olympic
Athlete Tues that he and son had
arranged sale Of West Point up-
pointment for $1,000. Trade OF
West Point and Annapolis Odcan-
cies between Hoeppel and Repre-
sentative Burke, California, Gd-
nitted. Trial OF Hoeppel and son
opened on Monday with impress
stve array of counsel present for
defense.
A defense motion for a directed YER
dict Of not guilty in the case Of Rep
resentative John H. Hoeppel of Cali
fornia and his son, Charles j. Hoeppel,
was overruled today by Justice Daniel
w. ODonoghue in District Supreme
Court.
Both Hoeppels are on trial charged
with conspiring to sell West Point
appointment for 1000 to James w.
Ives, former Olympic athlete.
The motion for directed verdict
was made by Samuel King, brother of
Senator King. Democrat, Of Utah,
chief Of Hoeppel's defense counsel. i'm
mediately after the Government had
rested its case. King argued that mot
one scintilla Of evidence" had been
offered by the Government to prove
the existence of a conspiracy.
The defense is understood to have
only few witnesses and it is expected
the case may go to the jury late today.
The prosecution rested this morning
abruptly in the midst Of testimony by
Elliot B. Cheston Of Baltimore. who
said he met young Hoeppel in 1884 at
the West Point Preparatory School at
Fort Monroe, Va.
Assistant United States ATTORNEY
David A. Pine was questioning Ches-
ton about certain conversations he
had with young Hoeppel about West
Point appointment when defense
counsel registered vigorous objections.
Cheston was removed from the wit
ness stand while a conference was
held at the bench between Justice
ODonoghue and defense and Gov
ernment counsel. At its conclusion,
Cheston was excused and Pine rested
the Government case.
Army Officers Called.
Two high-ranking Army officers
Brig. Gen. Edgar T. Conley and Col.
Raymond L. Bamberger Of the ad-
jutant generals staff-were called by
the prosecution late yesterday to COM
bat the contention Of the defense that
Hoeppers interest in the appointment
Of Ives was due entirely 10 a desire
to aid the Army in getting an out
standing athlete for the Military
Academy.
Gen. Conley testified he had no
particular interest in Ives other than
to give him information as how to
proceed TO get a West Point appoint
ment. He said he treated Ives case
in a routine" way.
Bamberger Denies Special Interest.
Col. Bamberger also said he had no
particular interest in Ives and that he
put the notation on the athletes letter
for the purpose of identifying him and
not for the purpose of influencing
Hoeppel.
Testimony Of George w. Trinastich,
George Washington University ath-
lete and the mystery witness Of the
trial, was abruptly halted yesterday
before he had an opportunity to reveal
what connection he may have had with
the case into which he was brought
dramatically Monday when Ives picked
him from crowd of spectators in the
court room as man who approached
him recently and urged him to drop
the case against the Hoeppels.
Trinastich Abruptly stiIIed.
TrinaStich started to relate a con-
versation he said he had with
Representative Hoeppel early last
June in a sandwich shop in the
4300 block Connecticut avenue, where
he was working at the time as a
checker. Defense counsel Immediately
registered a vigorous objection. A
whispered conference at the bench
followed between Justice D'Donoghue
and defense and prosecution counsel.
The objection was sustained and
Trinastitch was excused until later
in the trial.
Former Representative John H.
Burke of California followed Trina
stich and revealed that while in Con-
gress he and Representative Hoeppel
had entered into an arrangement to
trade a West Point and an Annapolis
nomination.
Burke explained he had a West
Point appointment in 1884 ne was
saving for John Lineberger. resident
of this district. He said he learned
later however, the boy wanted to go
| to Annapolis and not the Military
Academy. Hoeppel had Naval Acad-
emy appointment, he declared-an
agreement was made between them
for an exchange.
As result. Burke testified, he
nominated Hoeppel's son for West
Point and Hoeppel nominated his
candidate for Annapolis. Both boys,
however, failed in the requisite en-
trance examinations.
Then, in May, 1884, Burke said, he
nominated Ives for the West Point
appointment, in accordance with the
agreement he had with Hoeppel.
Visited by Ives.
Burke said he thought no more of
the incident until June. 1884, when
his secretary informed him Ives had
visited his Office and told her he had
promised to pay $1,000 for the ap-
pointment. Then, Burke explained.
he telephoned Hoeppel and asked
What about it?"
Hoeppel, he said, replied:
"Oh, don't pay any attention to
him, Burke. He's crazy"
Later that day, Burke testified.
Hoeppel came to his of1ice and said
he wanted the Ives nomination with.
drawn. He said the letter of with