Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-14
A Lively Time ~ the Telephone Invcsti-
ration TO-Aay.

Mr.. Van Benthuysen again took the stand
when the telephone investigating committee
met to-day. He produced q copy of the record
used in the New Orleans suit to shoS, as he
said, that the insinuaiions that he had used
fac sinatic Of the record OF the Interior depart
ment proceedings WAS not true. He said that
both Judges at New Orleans had snubbed Mr..
Storrow Cthe Bell counseD for his attempt 10
make sensation without proper foundation
he was quite willing to answer questions about
the New Orleans suit, but he did not regard IL
as relevant TO the investigation. He would
like to know who Jagged in the matter. as
ne old not propose to have any record made up
mere by Mr.. Ranney for the use OF the Bell com
pany on matters totally irrelevant To the issue.
inserted in the record. to which the witness re-
piled that he did not know that anything had
been inserted and IL was
NoBoDY's BUSINESS But HIS own:
he had perfect right to do as he pleased In
that matter, and IL had nothing TO do with this
Investigation.
Mr.. Ranney asked why new copies had been
printed in New Orleans Why had not the
original record been used and the Nipher affi-
You have got no business to ask such ques-
tion; you shall not ask IL, and will not answer
IL replied the witness. IF you are building
through me-"
Mr. VAN BENTHuYsEN FIRES Up AND MR..
RANNEY KEEPS COOL.
Mr.. Ranney-There is no insinuation about
1t; ask for the naked facts.
The witness (defiantly)-The courts have
already passed on ii, my friend; you cannot
make anything out OF 1t for your company, L
will tell you.
Mr.. Ranney (sternly)-Please answer the
The witness-With that same remark about
cutting out, no sir, will not L would not
take any book and cut any thing out firing up
lnsr fhn fal,l xxtft aaa- a..
no other purpose In the world than to benefit
the Bell company. He MIR. Ranney) could NOT
nave gotten AT these statements except through
the Bell company and their emissaries.
Mr.. Ranney Observation-Disclosures. stenogra-
pher. will you please put that question agains
The witness tangrilyl-I won't answer IL
would not II the whole Congress should ask mo.
have the highest respect Tor all the members
OF Congress-with few exceptions.
Mr.. Ranney lcoollyl-I Will pass the question.
THE WITNESS REFUSES To ANSWER.
Then Mr.. Ranney turned his attention to that
part of the testimony relative TO the Pittsburg
suit. but the witness fatty refused 10 answer
the questions. He said he had told everything
under the resolution that he knew anything
about. IF there Was any improperly, swear
don't know it,, he said. 81 have "A suit going
on in New Orleans, and government suit Is
coming on In which 1 expect 10 take part, and
L don't propose to make record here. You
addressing Mr.. Ranney) come here with a
satcheI of Bell papers-(for / recognize Mr.. Stor-
rows satchel) and don't propose To make a
record for Mr.. Storrow or anybody else.
MIR. Ranney asked Ii the witness had not I'm.
structed his attorney To Withdraw the defense
in the Pittsburg case after his interview with
Casey Young.
The witness again refused to answer, saying
that he was not going TO produce any cor
respondence with his counsel; that was his legal
right.
The witness had recovered his temper and
with great sang yroid told Mr.. Ranney that he
dld not wish To be regarded as acting ugly
lar a N
Storrow and Mr.. Dickinson another counsel ior
the Bell company that they were ialsriers oil
the facts. He had also informed the president
that Mr.. Dickinson should not be permitted IL
practice at any bar i'm the United States. Con
t1nuing, the witness took up several statements
made, AS be said, by the Bell attorneys ia the
ments as ''that is a faisehood," "that is IA delib
crate lie," aud SO on.
ANOTHER DENUNCIATIoN OF THE BELL COM
PANY.
Mr.. Ranney put another question relative to
the Pittsburg suit, but the witness only went
oil into another denunciation OF the Il I'll COM
pany. The witness is very deaf and cannot be
checked without difficulty besides he eX-
planned that he was not feeling very "amiable
this morning, "he WAS Sick, SO Mr.. Ranney
patiently allowed him to finish before ne asked:
'ls that all you have TO say in answer to my
question:
Don't you think that is enoughe" responded
the witness in a tone of surprise, while the
committee Joined the spectators In the laugh
ter that followed.
Mr.. Ranney asked If the witness had had
anything TO do with getting the Wilbur afii
DAFT
,Ie replied that it was made in his room by
Wilbur and copied by Mr.. Brierson, without
anybody asking question about it. When
Wilbur came the third day witness gave him
50 for swearing before the notary. The witnes,
was positive that the affidavit had been takeu
before Mr. Young came to the hotel, for lac wit
ness had told Young about IL when he saw him
Adjourned.