The New York herald., 1878-11-12
OUT OF LUDLOW.
How Messrs. Jones and Rogers Com
promised with the City.
FORCED TO RELEASE.
Forty Thousand Dollars To Be
Accounted For.

The settlement OF the Rogers and Jones suits against
the city has brought to notice OF those secret
transactions that have often appeared in public
matters and LETT doubt TO where the money
cerned has gone. Messrs Jones and Rogers were in
carcerated i'll Ludlow Street Jail some two three
months Oh suit brought by the State to recover
S942000. At the same time they had pending six
suits against the city and county involving of
$4,000 and interest. These suis had been pend
ing for eight nine years without the complainans
getting chance to bring them trial.
When they securely located in Ludlow Street
Jail the difficulty of getting out became apparent.
and after two months had elapsed without im-
proving their condition they began despair of
again breathing the fresh air of liberty. Their
sci also became despondent and informed them that.
notwithstanding the right and justice of their clai
the position they were in that could not be
upset without, perhaps years OF litigation. At this
stage of the proceedings Mr. Henry d. Felter.
intimate friend Of both prisoners went to see them
and talked their troubles. He interested himself
in the and finally discovered Of re-
leasing them from jail provided they willing
to release the city from ell claims for the sum of 81.
This they agreed to- and also gave Mr.. Felter
their power of attorney to act for them as
he might deem fit. Armed with these docu-
mentks MI. Felter went down TO Ludlow
Street Jail Friday last and released ATessrs. Jones
and Rogers. giving them at the time $4,000 to
divide between them Of this Messrs Rogers
nd Jones each received s3.25O; the heirs OF Edward
Jones. S250O and the lawyer employed by Mr. Felter
$1,000 Since their release the fact has come to light
that the city paid S50,oo0. in two checks Of
$4,000, to Mr. Fctter. in order TO obtain the fun
quitance Of all claims against the city the part oe
Messrs. Rogers and Jones.
Both of the principals are satisfied that Mr. Felter
has acted in good faith with thcm and has not made
dollar by the transacton but the question natu-
rally arises Where has the $40,0O0 gone? In in-
terview with Mr. Rogers the latter states that in his
expenses, and in another interview Mr.. Felter de-
clares that, having done his duty towards his
friends. he has nothing further to say. This
is gentleman who bears reputation that will not
permit any question of loyalty 70 his friends and
uraly il he has had to buy his way he is not willing
to inform the parties that have taken the money.
Possibly the money has been paid out in legal ex-
as Corporation Counsel Whitney in his inter-
view states that he stipulated that Mr. West the coun-
sci for Messrs. Rogers and Jones. should receive
$4,000
MIR. JONES COMPLAINT.
HERALD reporter met Mr.. Jones yesterday after.
and had talk with him the subject of the
The reporter asked:"Will you tell the particu.
lars OF the arrangements you made in regard to the
compromise about your suits r
''The facts very SIMPLE" responded Mr.. Jones:
II had been some months in Ludlow Street Jail await
ing hearing in suit that had been brought against
and partner Mr. Rogers, by the State involving
$942O 600 odd dollars. At the same tims had six
suits pending against the city and county OF New
York amounting 70 100000. with interest, for
about nine years. The question rested upon the
strength Of those respective suits
"what were the chances of winning your suits
against the city,"
I'VE had every chance in the world of winning our
suits If we could only obtain hearing. but that
something III which we were blocked all the time.
After being incarccrated in Ludlow Street jail va
(meanng myself and partner Mr.. Rogers tried every.
thing to effect some kind of settlement, and
sent my wife to Mr.. Whitney. but could obtain no
satisfactory began to despair of getting
friendly to Mr. Rogers and myself came to zee s' u.s. and
said he thought he would arrange compromise, We
both felt delighted. Mr.. Feler said that il were
willing to abandon our suits against the city pay
ment Of 81 he thought the matter might be settled.
and possibly he might receive $4,000 $4,000 for
he had pecuniary interest in the matter what
soevcr." W
"Did you agree to this proposition p
When Mr. Felter to see us on last Friday
morning he had papers with him for to sign, au-
thorizing dscontinuance Of the six suits and Civ
ing him full power OF attorney to act In behalf
Believing that there was no other chance for
signed the papers aud the same afternoon Mr..
charge. and also handed $4,000, minus $l.0V0
counsel fees which he said had been paid him for his
divided between myself, Mr.. Rogers and the heirs ot
"Do you know what boame of the balance of the
money remaining from the $4,000 paid BY the city to
settle the suitsy
Il do not. bnt am satisfied it was spent by Mr..
Felter in pursuance of his agreement with u.s."
WHAT MR. ROGERS HAS TO
After some little trouble reporter found Mr..
William e. Rogers IN the neighborhood Of Chambers
street, and said to him
.'Mr. Rogers can you give me some explanation AZ
to how your difficulties with the city Were settledy
1T is not matter that wish to talk about. and
only say that perfectly satisfied with the ar
rangements that have been made
II understand that Mr. Felter received $50 OOO from
the city for arranging the matter out of which you
and and your partner, Mr. Jones. only got $4,000. Is
ut is fact on the main point; but then both my.
self and my partner Mr.. jones' perfectly satisfied
with tho arrangements made by Mr.. Feltar.''
"what do you think done with the 900 that
remained from tho $50.O0O paid by the cityy'
II suppose It was used up in legal and other ex-
Fclter carried out his contract to the letter."
Mr.. fELriIs ANSWER.
:, reporter called on Mr. Henry d. Felf~ at his
Of how the money received by him spent. Ho
found Mr.. Fcter very busy and said to him 81 have
to what you have done with the $4,000 that Left
after you paid over 10000 to Messrs. Jones and
Rogers in the settlement of their claim"
Il have satisfied the gentlemen for whomJ j acted.
transaction
WHAT rwo CRY OFFICIALS SAY.
Mayor Ely, who was called upon last evening in
reference to the matter. said :"I OF signing
two warrants, each for x25.0O0 in the name IL
Rogers and the other in the OF Jones. A com.
minication from the Corporation Counsel
painted them. stating their nature and the purpose to
which the money was to be applied, which sum.
cient guarantee to that the matter was all right
1t was desirable settlement for the city. and ap.
proved of it,
zones says he got only 5000 and that had TO bs
divided with Rogers and another claimant ~
WELL 1t may be they assigned part Of the award
coming to them to some other parties. and they re-
ceivcd only n portion themselves. Then suppos>
they had legal expenses TO meet aud that reduced the
amount still more
Corporation Counsel whitney. ON being asked
what he Thought of Mr.. Jones complaint that he
ceivcd only trihe OF the s5UNU lit was ma
business OF mine how the money disposed " b..
tween these men after the settlement with tho
city had been effected. After good deal OF ncgota
tion aud frequent consultations between myself and
Comptroller Kelly II agreed To offer them S50VoO
on conditions that they released the city from all and
every claim they had made upon it. stipulated that
their counsel Mr. West shonld receive $in uO Of this
amount IN order that he should have grounds for
setting a their claims fort yuppt of