Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-01-08
THE CREDIT HoBILIER INVESTIGATION
The credit mobilier investigating committee
resumed its session this morning, and

The credit mobilier investigating committee
resumed its session this morning, and
THE EXAMINATION OF JOHN b. ALLEY
was continued. Witness testified in reply to
questions by Judge Poland that the list of divi-
dends exhibited heretofore TO the committee
included the list Of dividends the 81 600 ,0o0
contract of Amcs. Dividends on the latter did
not appear on the credit mobilier books. In
December, 1867, credit mobilier shares were 95
cents. Late in the month they rose to Si60
Before January they were up TO 500 and later
as high as S225; did not know of any being
higher than that. Did not know Nelson: knew
nothing of the stock owned by Nelson except
what appeared on credit mobilier books. Does
not know who paid for Nelson's shares; the
books showed they were paid for by him. The
latter fifty shares he had a right to purchase by
virtue of having purchased hundred before.
Witness never had any thing TO do with the
books.
BY Judge Merrick.-The statement read by
witness yesterday before the committee was sub
mittcd to MIR. McMurtrie, an eminent lawyer
of New England.
By Mr.. McCreery.-Did not know how much
credit mobilier stock was
DISPOSED OF TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.
Senator Wilson agreed to take 20 shares and
Mr.. Dawes 10 shares; witness took 500 shares
not all for himself however; go of them be-
longed to him; got them at par; did not know il
the stock was sold to members of Congress at par
after January, 1868; did not know if any of the
stock in the name of Mr.. Ames had been trans
ferred to any other person; had the impression
that II stood in his name "a trustee.
Question:-Can you explain why the transfe
was not made?
Answer:-I do not know.
Question.-Tkat is not the usual way to do
such business is il?
Answer:-Yes, sir it is frequently done, AMI
Mr. Ames being responsible man could hold
stock for others in trust.
Witness knew nothing of Mr. Ames' reason
for holding the stock in trust. Supposed Mr.
Ames drew the dividends on the stock which
stood in his name as trustee. The Union Pacific
road cost sixty-eight or nine millions, and only
about twenty-seven millions of dollars were re-
ceived from the government. Did not think
that the credit mObilier stock would be affected
by legislation of Congress towards the Union
Pacific railroad. There was a talk of investi-
eating the affairs of the Union Pacific but hon
est men expected to keep their stock and make
their money out of the earnings of the road
such was the intention of Mr.. Ames. Witness
had always been in favor Of the fullest inyesti-
CATION.
JIM FISK AND THE Z. p. RE
In New York Judge Barnard had granted an
injunction, and Fisk had the control of matters
hence the office OF the company was removed 10
Boston. Fisk threatened to damage the company
million OfdOllars unless certain money vas paid
to him. Witness refused to pay him any money.
and he Fisk did damage the road to the extent
of several millions of dollars. Oliver Ames is
one of the most amiable men living. The Sec
rotary Of the Treasury decided that the company
should pay certain interest. The company did
not pay it, but came to Congress and was re-
ieyed from its payments; thought the matter
was settled properly by Congress; had witness
been member Of Congress at the time, owning
large stock in the company, don't know how he
would have voted.
Mr.. ALLEY NEVER HAD 500 900 IN HIS HANDS
A. TO INFLUENCE CONGRESS.
MI McCreery.-I am requested to ask you
like.
Questionable you or not get or have put into
your possession 100000 in money to be ex-
pended in order to get Congress to modify the
ruling of Secretary Boutwell, in regard to the
payment Of interest to the government.
Answer.-l can say as far L am concerned
challenge the fullest investigation, 1 say now /
never had dollar in my hands for that purpose
or spent dollar to induce Congress to make any
Question:-were you here urging the passage
OF that bill?
.Answer:-No, sir; 1 was here early in the ses-
sion, but left before the bill passed; do not be-
leve that Mr.. Ames had the Slightest idea of in
fuencing the legislation of Congress by allowing
his personal friends to have the stock.
BY Mr.. Observation-Disclosures belle we'd that h,,
could have built the road for SJO,O0O,OO0. Some
OF the ties cost S5 piece, aud they should not
have cost more than SO cents piece. The gov
eminent was not robbed however, only those
men who had stock in the credit mobiler. They
should have received more money. Sold some
shares OF his credit mObiler stock at 500; had
never received any dividends on that sold. II
was sold to Peter Butler, Of Boston, who bought
it for Mr.. Bardwell.
BY Mr.. Niblack:-The credit mobilier as a
corporation
NEVER MADE A DOLLAR.
The only money made was on the Oakes-Ames
contract of S47 ,0O0,O which was divided be-
tween various parties, as already described.
Question:-DO you know how much money
MI cakes Ames put into the credit mobilicr
stock?
Answer.-I do not. The books show I do
know OF my own personal knowledge, that Ia
paid 500 share for every share Of stock issued
to him.
Question:-Did you not say Yesterday that he
put ia five or six millions of dollars?
Answer:-No, sir. did say that the indi vid-
ual interest of Mr.. Ames in the ga 900 900 con-
tract was between five and six millions of dollars
and my own individual interest less than halt
million dollars.
Adjourned until tomorrow morning at 10
O'clock.