Evening star., 1939-06-28
buckner Denies Usino
bondhoIders' Funds
For Beauty Lobby
Declares Broker
Paid for ShoweirIs'
Trip to Washington
By the Associated Press.

NEW YORK, June 28.-William
P. Buckner, jr., denied from the
witness stand today that the ex-
penses he incurred when he took
Noel Carter and Doris (Peewee)
Donaldson, showgirls, to Washing
ton were paid out of funds of the
Philippine Railway Bondholders'
Protective Committee.
Buckner was chairman of the
committee, and is being tried on
charges of mail fraud and conspir-
acy to manipulate the bonds. The
Government alleges he and four CO.
defendants defrauded holders of an
So, 800 900 issue of the railway bonds
by wasting money raised by the
committee to try to have the de-
faulted bonds redeemed.
Under cross-examination by Will
liam Power Maloney, assistant United
States attorney, Buckner insisted the
expenses of the Donaldson-Carter
trip to the Capital in the spring OF
1887 were paid by William J. Gill
lespie, broker and one of those on
trial.
Paid With Committee Check.
A moment later, however, he ad-
mitted that bill for 1889 which
included charges for drinks and food
at the Carlton Hotel in Washington
from August to August 8, 1887, was
paid with a committee check. On
this visit Buckner and Gillespie were
accompanied by Buckners friends,
Mr.. and Mrs. J. E. Schurman.
Does this include items charged
for Mr.. and Mrs. Schurman?" Mr..
Maloney asked.
Yes, it did," Buckner replied.
He also admitted that the Carlton
Hotel had obtained a judgment
against him for another bill of more
than 5000, and explained that the
bill had been left unpaid because
1t was for personal expenses"
Are you in the habit of leaving
personal Indebtedness unpaid?" de-
manded Mr.. Maloney.
Buckner's attorney, John Minton,
objected and was sustained by Fed
eral Judge Henry w. Goddard.
On trial with Buckner and Gill
lespie are Felipe Buencamino, men,
ber of the Philippine Legislature;
c. Wesley Turner. broker, and Capt.
John Stuart Hyde, former British
Army officer and now a Hollywood
film producer.
Letters Read.
Mr.. Maloney read to the jury to-
day two letters written by Hamilton
V. Rickaby, counsel to the Bond
holders Committee, expressing dis
pleasure at the text of letters Buck
ner sent to the bondholders in
August, 1887. soliciting funds for
committee expenses.
Buckner said the letters were
drafted by Gillespie. Rickaby S
name was on the letterhead and it
was this which caused him to object.
/ Makes Other Denials.
Buckner denied that in March,
1898, he told James w. Liddle, Buff
falo theatrical producer who lent
the committee nearly $4,000, that
"Buencamino had to be bribed.'
Buencamino's attorney, George c.
Norton, objected to the question,
and Judge Goddard ruled that it
was not binding on the Filipino.
THAT phrase bribery is Just In
your mind, Mr.. Maloney," Buckner
said on a note of irritation,
Mr.. Maloney jerked his head up
sharply.
did you tell me on the pier when
you were arrested last December
that $4,000 was to grease the palms
OF those Filipinos'?" he demanded.
mo; I did not" snapped Buckner.
Mr.. Maloney then brought out
that he had found letter pur-
portedly from Buencamino to Buck
ner asking for $4,000 for himself
and others when he examined Buck
ner's brief case on the pier when
the young broker landed from the
Queen Mary.