New-York tribune., 1873-01-10
Won. XXXlI.. NO 1913.
THE CREDIT MOBILIER.
PROGRESS OF THE INVESTIGATION.
Dor. M'coMB CROSS EXAMINED - MR.. BRooKss
CASE.
rBY rE1seRAPH TO THE TRiBuNEl

NV the Crsait Mobilier Committee, this morning,
WAS that of Col. McComb who was questioned abont
the alleged transaction between Mr.. Alley and the
Hon James Brooks. The witness expected was MI
Ham the Secretary Of the Company, who had been
.untnoued TO appear with the books of the concern,
but who seems TO be disposed TO consult his OVID con-
yenienoe rather than that of the Committee Tor he
sent them short note saying be would come over
some time next week Col McComb assured the
Committee that unless they specified the books that
were wanted they would get nothing that would
throw any light on the subject. Mr. Alley remarked
that the books we're in Philadelphia and not In New
York whereupon Col. McComb pulled from his
pccket an affidavit Of Mr. Ham made in the suit OF
MoCornb against the Company, stating that the
Books could not be produced III Philadelphia because
they were in daily use in New-York. Mr.. Alley then
repeated that the books were in Philadelphia. This
irritated Judge Black, who seized the affidavit,
leaned across the table and shook it in Mr.. Alleys
face saving: Ham swears he cannot produce
them
Alley replied 'I don't know about that. /
The books in Philadelphia when / passed through,
and examined them"
"Then your secretary is liar" rejoned Judge
Black, throwing down the affidavit, and settling
back in his chair
The Chairman quieted the dispute by saying IN
his blandest tone "Wen, gentlemen, we can afford
10 put on QuiiII6nuR hDOuJ INC DOonS uhAA w 'AN
refused them" Col McComb specified the blotter,
the stock certificate book the transfer book and the
old surrendered certificates as particularly neces-
sary TO be obtained.
Itis somewhat singular that in dealing with such
suspicious and slippery corporation as the Credit
Mobflier appears to be- the Committee should have
waited so long before trying to get the books They
ought to have sent the SergeantatArms In search OF
them the first thing they did, before taking any teS-
tmony. If they had thus got possession OF them at
the start they would have been secure against any
tampering with the records, or any destruction OF
them. and could have confronted Ames and Alley
with the written evidence of their stock transac-
tons.
While the Committee were waiting TO come to
some decision as TO future operations, Col. McComb
asked leave to put in evidence letter from Henry
C. Crane. former Secretary of the Committee, cor
roboraring his statements about the Hon. James
Brooks, but Judge Poland objected on the ground
that Crane had been summoned. The following Is
the letter:
No. % NAssAU-sI., NEw-YoRK, Dec 2s 1872.
Hs McCoMB, Wilmington, Del.-DEAR sIR Yours OF
the 2h nstis received and contents noted In relation
TO the Credit Mobiler stock transactions 10 which you
refer l lind by reference 10 memoranda made Dec 26
1861 that received James Brooks's check for 5000 and
drai for due Jan. a. 1865 and that transferred
by Mr. BroOks's direction, TO his son-maw, Charles H.
Nelson 100 shares stock Credit Mober OF America, and
100 shares stock Of the Union Pacific Railroad Company
and five First Mortgage bonds of the Union Pacific Rail-
road Company, making in addition to the 100 Credit
Mober stock SIS 900 in Union Pacific Railroad securities
for the $1,000 paid also lind by memoranda that the
draft referred above paid by Mr. Brooks, jan 90
iScs thus confirming my recollection tOlthe fact that
tho transaction with Mr.. James Brooks Yours
truly, H. Q. CfANB'
Mr.. T. B. Kingsland, who is Mr. BroOks's cashier
and business manager at New York, has sent the fol-
lowing in explanation of the statements given
above:
DEAR SIR: Mr.. James Brooks loaned large sums Of
money c. Durant at different times, and also TO
the Union Pacific cashier and business
manager must have made all the settlements and
drawn all the checks and settled all accounts with Mr.
Crane Nr Durans manager both for the loans and the
Union Pacific Railroad Mr. Brooks check book shows no
check FOR $4,000 Mr. Durant, 1888 49, and never
acting for Mr. Brooks with Mr. Crane paid for 100 OF
80 shares OF the Credit Mober for Mr.. Charles II. Nell
son. am certain that Mr. Brooks could not have made
any such large operations in money without his check
book OF bank account showing it, They make no such
showing Very respectfully, THos B. KHGsLASD.
For want of witnesses to examine the Committee
adjourned till Monday, after ordering summons TO
be issued for Henry C. Crane Thos. G. Durant, and
Cornelius X Garrison of New-YOrk. and Geo. w.
Kennedy of EastOn, Mass Next week, by leave of
the House granted to-day, the Committee viii sit
during the sessions Of the House. They. hope thus
TO be able TO close the investigation at an early day.
COMMITTEE NO. 2.
The Wilson Committee held its FIRST meeting in
the room Of the House Committee on Public Ex-
pendtures and after discussing the scope OF the
inquiry with which they were directed to enter
they determined to ask the House 10 amend their
instructions so as TO give them somewhat broader
field The following resolution for this purpose
prepared. and afterward reported to the House and
passed.
Resolrsd That the select Committee Of Five appointed
under resolution OF the House OF jan g. 1873, 10 in
oure ntocertan matters connected with the assOcia
ton known as the Credit Mober, be instructed fur
ther 10 induire whether any or corporations
have received moneys bonds, other property from
Union Pacific Railroad its officers or otherwise
ought by law equity 10 be accounted for 10
said Company or applied 10 'the reimbursement OF the
United States for any claim against said Company aud
what action should be had in the premises