Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-16
PRESENTS OF PAN STOCK.
LOTS OF $4,000 WORTH RECA-
LEssI,Y GIVEN AWAY.

Turtle.
WASHINGTON, March 15.-It is now
believed that the suit to test the validity
Of the patent Of the Bell Telephone COM
pany Will be ins tituted during the present
week, and most probably at Columbus
Ohio.
When the telephone Investigating
committee met to-day at the request OF
MIR. Ranney, j. Harris Rogers was re-
called to the stand. He said that the
parties forming the original Pan Electric
Company paid nothing for the stock in
addition to the price fixed in the contract,
Before going to New York it had been
understood that they were to issue stock
based upon the patents and the future
possibilities of electricity. The
gentlemen were to give their
names as guarantee to outside
parties that the company would be hon
0rably and fairly conducted. An enter
prise based upon future possibilities re-
auired the guarantee of men of national
reputation. That was the consideration
tor which they were given their respective
interests. The gentlemen agreed to get a
charter and give their names, and they
had broken the bargain. The men Sc
lected were also shrewd lawyers, as liti-
CATION was looked for. These things
formed the general tenor of conyersa-
tion among the parties before they
went to New York, and while there
ISSUING STOCK.
When the question of issuing sto ok
was raised Mr. Young suggested that
written certificates be used. The witness
father objected. Mr.. Atkins also stated
4 IS~vaa etO 4xva1 n hn
issued, and he saw no reason why they
should not have stock. The witness said
that A. S. Hewitt had declined to take
the stock reserved to him on the ground
Of feeble health and accumulated busi-
ness. The witness, with Messrs. Harris
and Atkins, had gone to see Mr.. Hewitt
personally about the matter. The interest
reserved for him had been divided and
sold. Senator Vest bought some and two
lady aequaintances of Senator Harris
also bought stock, and Sl0O,0O0 in stock
was received by Gov. j. q. Brown.
GOV. BROWNS TERMS.
He was to receive the same terms as
were offered Mr.. Hewitt, except that he
was to pay a smaller amount. Sena-
tor Harris said that the ladies refer
red to bought the stock as an investment.
The proceeds were divided among the gem
tlemen. The witness got his share and
supposed the others got theirs. The wit
ness desired to correct the statement that
each of the parties had been given one
tenth interest in the company. He said
that in accordance with promises made by
himself to other parties, he had reserved
$780, 900 of stock, which was deducted
from the interests held by other parties.
Still his associates managed to get their
full tenth interests. The witness gave
Father RochefOFd,O st. Dominic's church.
$780, 900 in stock. he also gave $4,000 to
Richard Wintersmith, of Kentucky.
FATHER ROCKFORD GREATLY PLEASED.
Mr.. Ranney-Yes, l have seen his let
ter. He seemed to be very grateful. 1t
seems to have made MIN very, very happy.
Did he give anything for it?
The witness replied IN the negative. He
said he had also given $4,000 in stock to
Marcus Wright. He had promised $l0,-
900 to Gen. Price in consideration of a re-
transfer to the witness OF q transmitter
be had previously sold to Mr.. Price. The
witness regarded this as valuable in
strument, but had never been able to get
The company to pay for it. Mr.. Price had
put his claim in the hands of attorneys
for recovery.
INTERESTING CONGREssMEN.
Mr.. Ranney inquired whether the wit
hess knew of any effort by the Pan Elec-
tric Company to sell or give stock to Con-
gressmen, and if so, to whom, when and
where?
The Witness-I heard Of offers made to
sell.
Mr.. Hall interrupted and objected to
the question The objection was over
ruled, and Mr.. Ranney repeated the ques-
tiOn.
The witness replied that at a meeting
at which Senator Harris, Gen. Johnston,
Mr. Young, and the witness and possibly
Col. L0Oney were present. MIR. Young
stated that a number of members wanted
TO become interested in the Pan Electric
company, and had frequently importuned
uim on the subject. Mr.. Young asked
advice as to what should be done. He
suggested that probably the members OF
Ihe company had enough OF that class Of
gentlemen associated with them.
ON THE GROUND FLOOR.
The question was then discussed as to
now much members Of Congress would
give. Twenty dollars was proposed, but
Ar. Young suggested that that was too
much. lie said that most of them wanted
70 get in on the ground floor, or as near
lne ground as possible. Mr.. Young
counted on his fingers four or five mem-
bers. The matter was left with Mr..
loung to do the best he could. Thename
o. Mr. Dunn, of Arkansas, was mentioned.
Inc Witness did not remember any others.
Inc Chairman-MentiOned in what con-
heetouY
The Witness-As one OF the parties anx-
lous to become interested. That was one
name Mr. Young mentioned. The matter
was left to Mr.. Young. never heard Of
VI afterwards.
AN OFFICE SEEKER.
Inc witness was questioned as to
hnether his father had ever been candi-
aale Tor Office under the present admins
tralOn.
Ibe Witness-Yes, for some Office in
winch he could carry on his profession
sueh as assistant attorney in some Of the
uepattnents or position abroad, at Mar
settles n Milan.
mr. hanney-Was your father a candi-
ua,e ior Assistant Attorney Generaly
ne Wltness--l think not. ItLink that
pas never mentioned unless il may have
oeen ~ j0cular way.
40 LEGISLATION SPOKEN or.
Mr. Rogers was asked il there was any
question raised as to the new legislation
ssary from Congress.
lne witness don't think that the sub
rvl OF legislation Was ever broached by
"',s OF my associates.
lhe Chairman-The matter OF obtaining
ta.oraole legislation was never mentioned
".,r"een you and your ass0ciatesg
ne Witness-NO, sir.
Tue Chalrman--We these gentlemen
sApecled 10 render any service to the COM
P@n8 ~ setting the enterprise on fnoti