Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-28
Arbuck|e Key Witness
Called 10 FaceCourtds
Testimony Is RiddIed
Prosecutor Introduces
Henderson Letters TO
Refute Story of Meeting

| The case of William Withers Ar
/ buckle, Al, former manager of the
Senate restaurant, charged with en-
bezzlement, is expected 10 60 to the
jury today following scheduled con-
GLIDING arguments before Justice
Bolltha J. Laws in District Court
today.
Trial of Arbuckle, expected to re-
sumo this morning, was postponed
to 100 pm.
The second days testimony yes
terday reached spectacular con-
cluslon when John l.. Laskey, young
prosecutor. submitted letters admit
teddy written by KEY defense wit
ness purporting to show that the
witness, Robert c. Henderson. testi-
fed falsely in direct examination
during the afternoon.
Henderson, who had maintained
ne was present at a meeting be-
tween Arbuckle and Edward H
King, ArbuckleS assistant, when
certain envelopes of Senate restau-
rant funds were alleged to have
been turned over to King by Ar
buckle. was held in $500 bond and
ordered by Justice Laws to appear
in court tomorrow to show cause
why he should not be held in con-
tempt.
Place Witness in Canada.
Mr.. LaskeY carefully sorted the
packet OF letters, introducing them
one by one in a dramatic session OF
a trial now extending into its third
day. The letters, which Henderson
admitted writing, purported to show
that the witness was in Canada be-
tween September of 1888 and Jan
uary of 1899.
Both Henderson and Arbuckle
under direct examination and cross
examination said that they were
present at meeting to which Mr.
King was a third party and during
which Arbuckle turned over several
envelopes Of restaurant funds. The
defense had contended that the
money was handed over to Mr.. King
on his return from q month long
vacation. Arbuckle was indicted for
embezzling $1,000. Mr.. Laskev in
PRODUCED evidence purporting to
show Arbuckle failed to account for
1925 in restaurant funds.
Under Mr.. Laskey's cross-exami-
nation, Henderson, who had taught
in school operated by Arbuckle.
admitted ne had not been present
at the alleged September or Oc-
tober, 1898, meeting between Mr..
King and Arbuckle.
Court Calls for Explanation.
At the conclusion of testimony,
Justice Laws dismissed the Jurors.
ordering them to return to court at
10 am. today, then addressed Hen
derson in the following words:
Il feel you have imposed upon
this court. Unless you can offer
a satisfactory explanation I'll have
to punish you"
Introduction of the letters, writ
ten from Walkerton, Ontario. Can
ada, and dated from September 2
through December of 1888 con-
founded the witness, who squirmed
under Mr.. .Laskey's examination
and testified with nervous gestures.
After admitting he had testified
falsely as to his whereabouts in
Henderson then repu-
dated his second testimony and
under direct questioning from
defense counsel, said he returned to
around the middle Of
for a short period. He
told the jury that the refreshing
Of his memory led him to recall that
he had been in the District in late
and early October"
Introduces Letters.
Mr. Laskey then set out to tear
apart this testimony, introducing
letter Henderson wrote to Ar
buckle in September and letters
written in october and November.
Finally, the prosecutor alleged
again that during the period from
September to January. 1899, Hen
derson did net return to Washing
ton. Hendersons answer was: "Ap-
parently."
Henderson added that from the
letters Mr.. Laskey offered in evil
dence, 1t appeared he, Henderson.
did not return to Washington until
January. Mr.. Laskey asked: rs
that your recollection Of it?" Hen
derson answered that that had not
been his recollection until Mr.. Las
key produced the letters.