The Portland daily press., 1886-03-18
TIE PAW ELECTRIC.
The Special Investigating Committee
Continue Their Work.

WASHINGTON, March 1.-THE special tel
ephone investigating committee of the
House today examined DR.. j. w. Rogers
He said he had been connected with the Pan
Electric compan since Its formation mad
been suggested by l.. G. Hine to witness and
son in 1881 or 1882. He discovered some de-
fects in the title and at that time the project
was abandoned. About the first Of January,
1888, witness and his son bought house on
a street fer a laboratory but found 1t cost a
great deal of money to hire skilled electric
iAnS and buy the materials and witness Sug-
gested that instead of using their own slen-
der means they should form a stock compa-
ny. They naturally turned their attention
to the subject of the great masses OF men OF
Influence and in that view witness wrote to
or called upon Gen. Atkins then chairman
of the appropriation committed MIR. At
kins seemed pleased with the idea. A few
DAYS later witness saw Senator Harris, who
had already talked with Gen. Atkins 0D the
subject, and they afterwards came to Wit
ness house with Casey Young Witness Of
ferred each one something like 100000 of
the stock on a basis of $500,000. They had
hesitated, at least Senator Harris more than
amy other had hesitated about going into it
and nothing was done at that meeting. Wit
ness said it had occurred to him that Senator
Harris might be apprehensiye that there
might be some impropr ETY. in his advancing
the enterprise and he had written to Senator
Harris to inquire whether he entertained
in a letter very frankly that he did.
Witness had later received a letter from
Senator Harris in which he said he had con-
suited the matter and could see no !mpro-
priety in persons situated like himself and
Gen. Atkins taking part in i scientific enter
prise, such as had been proposed Subse-
quently meeting was held at which there
were present Senator Harris, Gen. Atkins
and Casey Young. Witness proposed that
each take 100000 in stock. They agreed
md ba nptarpricp The contract
was drawn up sometime in the February fol-
lowing.
Gen. Johnston came to witness with let
ter from Senator Harris and was shown the
inventions and while there was nothing said
about it. It was understood that General
Johnston had gone into the company. So it
was with Senator Garland Witness could
not recollect that anything was said about
his going into the company, but witness
looked upon him as one of the company.
During his second visit Senator Garland
talked over the possibilities OF electricity but
witness could not remember that anything
was said about the formation al company.
When the witness proposed to give $50,O00
in stock to each gentleman, Senator Harris
said it seems to be a little too generous, but
as they expected to make enough money for
everybody they would accept the stock Ihe
gentlemen associated with himself IN the
company were to pay nothing for their inter
est Witness wished to sesure the c0-opera-
tfon of men of integrity and of National
regulations, as without the names of such
men the stock could not be sold.
Mr.. Boyle asked if anything was said by
any of the gentlemen with reference to
the company deriving any advantage from
any official position held by any OF them
Witness replied never whisper; never a
breath. The object was to work en- their
names and regulations and on my sons gen
ius. Witness had offered $lOO, 600 IN stock
TO Mr. Randall, who had replied cOurteously
that he knew nothing about the matter and
intimated that he wanted to hear more. He
made the same offer to Mr.. Carlisle who had
replied in a very respectful letter that II
there was any legislation connected with the
affair he could have nothing to do with it.
Witness wanted Messrs Randall and Car
Isle in company to give prestige to the stock
On the oath of May witness had sent letter
to Attorney General Garland, asking him to
institute suit against the Bell Company.
He had noticed in the papers the, fact that
Attorney General Brewster had directed
proceedings to be begun in similar suit IN
yolying the validity of a cotton tie. Prior to
that time nothing had been sad by any
member of the Pan-Electric Company in
regard to the suit; the idea originated with
the witness. ! did not receive any reply
from Mr.. Garland.
Chairman-Do you remember of Mr..
Young's having come to your house and told
sou and your son of an interview with Mr..
Garland?
now be brought and there were good pros
poets of success, asked if Mr.. Garland had
promised and he said he had.
Chairman-How did you come to ask him?
Witness-I thought it would have to come
through the promise OF MI. Garland.
ChaIrman-Did Mr. Young indicate that
he had had an interview with Mr.. Garland?
Wituess-Yes. When he said Mr. Garland
promised, said very emphatica' ly, If Mr..
Earlsnd has promised, he will do it, Then
SIR Young said, "But Mr.. Garland has said
he win refer the matter to Mr.. Goode.' . Then
said /. 'sHow about that? How would Mr..
Goode act? would he dc as well as Mr. Gar
land?" "Oh yes, "ossaid he, y believe I'd
rather have Mr. Goode than Mr. Garland.
He will be all right" That is the substance
of the conversation.
,Thairman-Ar you clear that he told you
Mr.. Garland had promised? 1ase !? tbo+ 7 ovist 7
s+ai,n e'i1 nv aa Iyation on it. Because rose up
and IanS said Iii Ar. Garland has promised he
will do it." was delighted, OF course l .;i, -
The committee thep adjourned TILL to-