Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 April 1905 — GRAND JURY STRIKES [ARTICLE]

GRAND JURY STRIKES

Blow Fall* on the Confidential Man Mott Trusted by J. Ogden Armour. HE IS INDICTED AND ARRESTED Later Liberated on $5,000 BailTampering with Witnesses the Charge. Shields Said to Have Made Bad Admissions for the Accused—Cutlom Taking Notes on Interstate Commerce. Chicago, March 29—The United States grand jury has returned an indictment against Thomas J. Connors, general superintendent of Armour & Co., on a charge ®f interfering with a witness summoned to appear before the Jury. Connors, who is J. Ogden Armour’s most confidential employe, cud the active head of one of the largest packing companies in the world, was arrested last night on a bench warrant by a United States deputy marshal and brought to the grand jury room, where alter considerable delay he was released on a $5,000 bond. Shield*’ Give* Him Away, They Say. After his release Connors absolutely refused to discuss the matter, but the fact that he was affected by the proceedings was plainly visible in bis face. The indictment, it is said, was returned on a statement by John Edward Shields, of Brooklyn, a former employe of Armour & Co., who has been in Chicago ever since the investigation began. Shields is said to have alleged before the inquisitors that he had been approached by Connors and other persons and instructed concerning what he should, testify when on the witness stand. Charge* Made Against Connor*. The indictment specifically states that on March 25 the offense upon which Connors was indicted occurred. It is also charged that Shields was given the use of Armour & Co.’s offices at 205 LaSalle street to transact his business while in Chicago, and also the use of a private telegraph wire in the office of the packing company. Another allegation is that Shields was entertained by Connors.and that Connors suggested to the proposed witness that he should testify favorably to Armour & Co., and not tell all that be knew concerning the matter under investigation. Attempt to Tamper Rise where. The secoud count of the indictment charges that Connors did not limit his attempt at influencing witnesses to Shields, but that other witnesses who have not as yet appeared in Chicago have been approached by him and attempts made to influence them as to the nature of testimony they would give before the jurors. Sleuths Shadow the Witness. All along Shields has been asked about attempts to influence him and has stoutly denied anything of the kind. But secret service men kept watch on him, found that he had headquarters with the Armours and the use of all their facilities for attending to his own business, and when they made their report Shields was pressed so hard that he is said to have admitted enough to result in Connor*’ indictment CULLOM TO HAKE INQUIRY H* Want* to Post Upon the Question of Rate Regulation.

Springfield, 111., March 29. —Senator Cullom will make an investigation on his own account of the conditions in Chicagoe bearing on interstate commerce. He will conduct a little investigation of his own, interview railroad men and others, go into the subject of private car lines and other matters intimately connected with interstate commerce, and iu general satisfy himself as to the merits of the interstate commerce agitation and the conditions now prevailing. *nator Cullom arrived here yesterday. He will spend this week and part of next in Springfield, then go to Chicago for two or three days, returning to Washington by the middle of April. The senate comittee on interstate commerce will this summer draft an intersate commerce bill. What the form of that bill will be Senator Culiom would not say, “I would not want to say it would be like the Escb-Town-send bill,” said he, “I have always believed that the presents taw was adequate if properly enforced, but perhaps a better law can be formulated, and one that can be more easily enforced..” Cullom said he had no particular object in coming to Springfield, “except,” he added, “that it is my home. That is, as much of a home as I have,” and declared he favors the passage by the legislature of a good primary elections law, including a direct vote on senators.