Evening star., 1948-04-28
Experts Will Examine
Paper Allowing Kelly
To Draw Union Funds

Experts were appointed by Justice
Alexander Holtzoff in District Court
today to determine the authenticity
of document authorizing with.
drawal from the City Bank of funds
belonging to Local IA, International
Hod Carriers Union, AFL.
The withdrawal authority alleged
ly was signed by George Morgan
former local treasurer, and defend
ant in the hod carriers union con-
spiracy case. Dated June II, 1910
it empowered the missing defend
ant, Larry Kelly, to withdraw funds
on his signature.
Justice Holtzoff designated the
Bureau of Standards and Ira N
Gullickson, handwriting expert OF
the Metropolitan Police Department
to examine the authorization.
Counsel Sought Study.
Defense Counsel Austin F. Can
field wants the document examined
by experts, believing that while
Morgan might have signed an orig
inal authorization, there were era
sures in the body of the paper and
words substituted.
On trial, charged with conspiracy
are six men linked with the inter-
national union. The Government
accuses them of entering into a
conspiracy to mulct the Washington
area locals of some 100000.
The testimony of FBI Special
Agent Milton Singman, who made a
study of union finances, was inter-
rupted this morning to permit other
witnesses to be heard
Defense Fund Discussed.
Henry Thomas, colored, member
of Local IA since 1889, took the wit
ness stand and testified Morgan
said at a meeting that approxi-
mately 100000 was collected from
this area for the civilian defense
fund during the war He declared
there was no discussion at meetings
of buying $4,000 worth of whisky
with union funds to celebrate a
mortgage burning. He explained
the civilian defense fund was built
up by having each laborer pay a
days wage-from $6.40 to 81 at reg
ular time.
The indictment in the case was
returned ons March 20, 1914. The
delay in getting it to court has been
the result partly of the fact that
Larry Kelly, central figure in the
alleged conspiracy, was reported to
have died in the Pacific, but the
Government declines to concede his
death.
Testimony by Mr.. Singman yes
terday showed that, from November,
1889, to the end of 1941, between
$4,000 and $1,000 found its way into
Kelly's bank account. The prose-
cution has promised to show far
more than that. Mr.. Singman's
testimony was that Kelly, former
treasurer of the Building Committee
of Local "a here, diverted various
funds to his own bank account.
Lesser items went to the defendant,
George Morgan, former financial
treasurer of Local "a, according to
Leo A. Rover, special assistant to
the Attorney General.
Brother -in-Law Involved.
Mr.. Singman said that, among
other things, Kelly got $4,1O6 for
on his BerWyn Md home.
This check is missing, he testified.
The Government contends Kelly's.
other-in-law.athe late Matthias
M. Kiesgan, former clerk of the
District council of the union, also
benefited financially.
Z In january, 1942, Local IA paid
over $3o, 900 to the Building Commit
tee, when the latter's bank account
showed but $31, Mr.. Singman said.
Kelly, on one occasion, deposited
$3.50 in his own bank account, which
was then overdraWn, and this came
out of the $4,000, the FBI man de-
clared,
Roger Williams required all wom-
en- Of Salem to wear wells when at
tending church meetings.