[BOWMAN] DISCREPANCY IN TRUSTWORTHY RECORDS 159 
place of dining, and therefore the difference of interest in this case 
is subordinate and incidental to a main interest, which in both of the 
discrepant statements is essentially the same. On the contrary, in the 
discrepancies classified under the category of Difference or Degree of 
Interest, the discrepant statements spring from principal interests in 
which there is an appreciable difference. 
IV. THE LOCATION, RANGE AND DISCOVERY OF 
DISCREPANCY. 
(a) LOCATION oF DISCREPANCY. 
In 10 of the 26 cases of discrepancy the discrepancy lay between 
conflicting statements made by different persons, and in the remaining 
cases the discrepancy lay between conflicting statements made by the 
same persons. This proportion of 10-16, however, affords no ground 
for thinking that discrepancy arises less frequently between statements 
made by different persons than between statements made by the same 
persons. The contrary, in fact, can be proven. 
Legitimate discrepancy in statements arises from difference of 
standpoint either (1) in those making the statements or (2) in those 
to whom the statements are made. If several persons speaking separ- 
ately make statements concerning an occurrence, it is clear (1) that 
the chance of the several persons developing a difference of standpoint 
between each other is greater than the chance that any one of them will 
develop such a difference (by alteration) of standpoint within himself; 
and again, it is clear (2) that the chance of the several persons meeting 
with inquirers who have different standpoints is several times greater 
than the chance that any one of the several persons will meet with 
inquirers having such a difference of standpoint. The action of these 
chances is constant in human intercourse. Therefore, with respect 
to the sum total of affairs of sufficient importance to attract the atten- 
tion of several or more persons, it is a necessary conclusion that the 
total amount of discrepancy occurring between statements made by 
different presons must be greater than the total amount of discrepancy 
occurring between statements made by the same persons. 
