New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-03-29
THE INVESTIGATION.
q. n p. ARcuFR's TESTIMONY.


rector of the Erie Railway think in the month of July
or August 1871 and ceased TO hold that Office in April,
1872 also held the Office Of VcePresdent: was pres
ent at the meetings Of the Board until resigned did
not resign when the other members resigned l know
nothing Of any money spent in influencing legislation;
the nature Of the Pro Rata Freight BILL In nv Judgment
would have driven away through freight business,
and We could not have maintained offices, depots,
and agents and handled the way freight the same
terms Us through freight, because that comes through
without handling; 1t would have driven the through
freight other roads, and hurt it would have been
Instantaneous the Erie Road; that opinion was held
10y others interested in the road; took action myself
about il; requested to go TO Albany ON this bust
ness but was not requested 10 confer with Mr. Wander
b | was not aware that requested by the reso-
luton of March confer with either Gen. sickes or
Mr. Vanderbilt but only TO look after the interests OF
the Erie Railway; I had no conversation with Mr..
Owens Mr. Ramsdcll, Mr. Lansing, Mr. White, or with
any person. positive Of it, left for Albany on the
same afternoon; / think my object TO hinder the
passage Of this pro freight BILL went 20 the DeevaD
House al Albany; / called on Mr. Whtbeek, a member
OF the Assembly; he had been my counsel for many
years. and then my counsel in general business he
most always had some searching OF deeds TO do for me-
have deeds which might tell what he then doing for
me- I could tell by inquirng at their Office what real
estate he might have searching that me he had
no other matters at that time conversed With him
and told hun what effect that pro rata bill would have
ask him to do anything to hinder its passage
my only object was show him what the bill would do,
hut to let him do as chose called upon ex-Mayor
Temann upon the subject teleRraphed for Mr. Rutter
20 meet ne at Albany he arrived about 10 O'Clock in
the evenings 1 instructed him to appear before the
Senate Committee then having further business
went home there about two days 1 did not 20
10 Albany agiu and had further communication with
any one there this subject there was no money paid
10 any one that know OF. not dollar took only
enough 10 pay my expenses told Mr.. Rutter to give
4he Committee information he is not lawyer have
never made q claim against the Company Tor money
spent in Albany except expenses told no one that
had spent money in that way; the first knew OF
the alleged payment of $4,000 during this session
was totally surprised; never conferred with Mr. van
erbt subject of the pro rata freight BILL have
nut in no claim sOOOo for money spent in behalf Of
the Erie Railway Company, and know Of no one having
such a claim; have a contract with the road; have
no claim OF the identical amount Of $4,000 for labor
services none for that has placed before
them for me; have claims except under freight
contract know nothing of the resolution Of July last,
except through the newspapers only know A. d. Bar
bour by sight; 1 have seen him in the
city: I do not know when; do not
know what his business was; was introduced to Mr..
Van veohen this morning for the first time in my life;
knew that no money paid up to the time resigned
toeither of those gentlemen; did not visit Albany on
that subject more once; stranger there and
knew none of the members; asked Mr.. Hale to appear
but he was sick and could not; neither Mr. Rutter nor
myself engaged any agents 70 appear do not know
whether MIR. Vanderbilt had any counsel there; may
have seen Mr. Pe there budo not recoect talking with
him; the Classification bill all settled before got
there do not think had been in Albany for two years
preyious TO that time Mr.. Parkes there he in
INV employ and went as company with myself and wife
he went backward forward from the hotel
90 the Capitol with me as company; DO not
know that he had any funds there. but he well
nlffffn una n
my going TO Albany; went to get proper legislation;
20 ret our general freight agent before the Committee
he appeared before them. and made some statements
all did else speak 10 Mr.. Whitbeck and to Mr..
Temsnn: no hire mo 10 70 Albany TO bride,
and no man did do 1t (exctedly since this Committee
has been session have heard Of this $4,000 but
know nothing about this matter; saw Mr.. sckes and
w H. Vanderbilt during this time, but did not speak
with them on subject Of the pro rata freight BILL
THE FREIGHT CONTRACT.
Ybave freigbt contract with the Erie Road which be-
gan In 1864 the distribution OF all the freight
that comes into Jersey City, and hire all the servants
a0reA 10 deliver 10 the warehouses NewYork harbor
receive the freight in New York. make out the way
bills make up the trains and put everything in order
for the engineer 20 put his engine and rush it of by
the terms Of the contract receive 49, 40 60, and 70
aents per ton net for receiving and delivering dneent
kinds OF freight believe that contract to be favorable
10 the company they would not continue it, the pres
ent contract was made Sept 1877; have been run
ming IL at loss the last months; think 80 far as
nv private business Is concerned the Committee have
nothing to do before took hold OF II the Company
paid 100000 per year for this work. this is the lowest
contract Of the kind In this city could furnish state
ment OF my profits for lS72 but do not think the Com
mttee have right TO ask it; the company
have not disputed any Of my claims; want
90 answer all questions fairly aud gentlemanly'
but do not think the question of my profits Is fair the
Company by giving me co days notice, can terminate
the contract, without giving me any compensation
beyond what Is due up TO the time OF Its expraon
n the pro rata freight bin passed would have less
70 do the more freight can get oyer the road the bet
ter it is for me- unless the Committee has legally g'
% abatement of my profits decline 10 furnish state
,oent Of them; Mr.. Watson has statement OF such
,,ots from me; Mr. Owen asked me II would be VII
ioo N rive statement Of my expenses and receipts;