Evening Mail in London, Middlesex

Trial of Mr Washington over hops price manipulation

In Worcester on March 29 the Washdington case arose with nine counts accusing him of preventing hops from reaching market to raise prices. Prosecution described a market dinner, public addresses, and a plan to buy hops at rising prices, backed by witnesses detailing his statements and actions to influence hop merchants and planters. The defense argued the law and intent, while the jury weighed whether his conduct fell into a serious common-law offence.