The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-18
PAN.ELECTRIC HISTORY.
DIR. Nv. ROGERS ON THE WIT
NESS STAND.
The Organization OF the Company
How the Stock Was
Distributed.

Electric Telephone as heretofore pub
Gshed, when witness proposed TO give
s5O0OOO in stock 10 each of his asso-
ciates. Senator Harris said II seemed
10 be little too generous, but as they
expected TO make enough for every
body they would accept the stock.
Witness had written to Senator VIM
dom. BENJAMIN Lefevre and Architect
Clarke that be had small amount OF
stock TO their credit, bat they all de-
clined. The gentlemen associated
with himself in the company were TO
nav nothing for their interest. Wit
ness wished TO secure the cooperation
of men of integrity and OF national
regulations, as without the names of
such men the stock could not be sold.
Question Was anything said by
any of the gentlemen with reference
TO the company deriving any advan-
tage from any official position held by
any one of them?
Witness Never whisper; never a
breath. The object was 10 bank on
their names and regulations, and my
sons genius. Two meetings were held
in the room of the Senate Judiciary
Committee for the organization OF the
telephone company. There were pres
ent Looney, Rogers, jr., Senators Har-
ris and Garland and Gen. Johnston.
Gen. Atkins was not there. At the
first meeting general agreement was
reached. Senator Garland prepared
the papers and submitted them at the
second meeting. A charter for tele-
phone company was obtained in Ten
nessee, and one for telegraph COM
pany was obtained in New York.
There never was any Pan-Electric
stock issued. The certificates we're
about as follows:
]. W. Rogersis entitled TO $500, 000in
the Pan-Electric Telegraph Company.
CASEY YOUNG, Secretary.
Senator Harris opposed the issue of
the stock. Witness supposed the gen.
tlemen were unwilling to have their
names 90 on the stock because they
regarded them as sacred. at was sug-
gested in convention" said he, "that
possibly this whole thing will fail, and
in that case all concerned would be
looked upon as scoundrels." So they
had refused to go forward. So far as
he knew the original associates held
all of their stock at the present time.
The right for Alabama had been sold
for $500, which the associates had re-
ceived, together with the money on
the Tennessee rights. New York had
been sold originally for 100000 in
stock TO enterprising sons of Abra-
ham. Senator Harris thought they
would get more for it in that way.
After some negotiations, witness and
his son, with Messrs. Klotz, Money,
Denver and Manning, secured the
Pennsylvania right. That was In 1884.
The chairman, then Mr.. Money, was
a member of Congress. Continuing,
witness said the District of Columbia
and Maryland were also sold. Chi
cago was sold for $4,000, "of which"
said the witness, ~ got my slice.
Witness had offered 100000 in
ttock in the PennsylSania company
to Mr.. Randall, who had replied
courteously that he knew nothing
about the matter, and intimated that
he wanted to hear more. He had
made the same offer to Mr.. Carlisle,
who had replied in very respectful
letter that II there was any legislation
connected with the affair he could
have nothing to do with 1t. Witness
wanted Randall and Carlisle in the
Pennsylvania company to give pres.
tige to the stock. He had simply
written to these gentlemen that he
would simply credit them in the
books OF the stock. Witness then ex.
planned that his political affiliations
had been always with the Democratic
party, and most Of his friends be-
longed to that party. A bank clerk
had told Father Rochefort, one OF the
stockholders, "There is only one thing
you want 10 make that stock go-put
JEFF Davis on it."
In answer to questions, the witness
declared that he had no idea when
the company was organized that
Mr.. Garland would be Attorney
General; but he had done his best
to make him Attorney General after
Cleveland's election. He had dedi-
Gated a book to Attorney General
Garland, and predicted that Cleve-
land wonld select the wisest, purest
man in the country TO elevate the
judiciary OF the country, On May
oath he had sent letter to Attorney
General Garland, asking him to in.
Htitute suit against the Bell com
pany, but received no reply.
The Chairman-Do you remember
Young having come to your house
and told you and your son of an in
terview with Garland
Enthusiastically. He said tina
the suit would now be brought, anC
that there were good prospects Of sue
cess. l askei II Garland had prom
ised, aud he said that he had.
The Chairman-How did you com
to ask himP
Witness-I said thought it woul,
have to come through a promise O
GArland's.
The Chairman-Did Young indiCat
he had an interview with Garland?
Witness-Yes, / think 30. 1t wa
predicted on that. When he sal
Garland promised, said very en-
phatically, "It Garland has promise
he will dot. Then Young said. "Bu
Garland has said he will refer tn
matter to Mr., Goode." Then said
"How about that; how would Good
act-Woulu ne DO as well as Garland
"Oh, yes" said he; 81 believe woul
rather have Goode than Garland-h
will be all right" That is the sui
stance of the conversation.
The Chairman-Are you clear Ii.
he told you Garland promised?
Witness-As clear as that l say m
confirteu. Just as clear rs that
exist. / stake my salvation on il, b
cause / rose up and said II Garla1
has promised he will do it," l vi
delighted, Of course.
Adjourned.
Pen Picture of DIR. j. webb ROger
The elder Rogers, who was befo
the House Pan-Electric Committee I
day, is queer character. He has b,
a taste of almost everything from Il
pulpit down. He was educated 4
the Episcopal ministry, aud thirt
years ago vas rector OF the pretty Ii
tie church at Franklin, Tenn. The
he married a Miss Harris whose fan