St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-04-13
PAN-ELECTRIC TOPICS.
Continuation Of the Congregational
gnvestigation--Aw Warm Witness.

WASHINGTON. April 12.-When the
telephone investigating committee met this
morning. Watson Van Benthuysen of
New Orleans, president of the National
Improved Telephone company was placed
upon the stand. He said that his company
owned but did not use seven of the Rogers
telephone inventions. His acquaintance
with Mr.. Young he said dated from the dis
missal of the Pittsburg suit. Young had
then told witness of the passage of law
authorizing the institution of government
suits, and witness had declared his inten-
ton to secure such an action. Young
however, had assured him that the
attorney general being interested in a
telephone company could certainly refuse
to have anything to do with the matter.
wheTenpon witness had lost his temper and
declared that the attorney general had no
right 10 interfere with his (witness) indi-
vidual rights. There had been an agree
ment between himself and Young ut Mem
phiS, but while there had been few notes
taken il had never been formally reduced to
writing. Under the agreement each party
agreed TO furnish evidence and a model and
divide the expenses, but were TO furnish
their own lawyers for a suit against the
Bell company. When the witness after
wards called upon Attorney General Gar
land that gentleman had cOurteously but
firmly refused to hear him on telephone
matters and witness had be-
come very indignant and threat
ened to appeal to the president.
Speaking with regard to a statement that
employees of the government in the patent
Office had been working in the interest of
the Bell company. the chairman inquired il
il We're true that copies of the interior de-
partment proceedings had been printed for
the New Orleans suit with important omis-
siOns. The witness replied with a great
deal of heat that that was another lie, cir
culated by the Bell company. The Bell
company has circulated the report that it
was a trick on the court" exclaimed the
witness. Those who circulated it are
liars, and they know that they are liars. /"
The witness at this point turned his atten-
ton to that part of DR.. Rogers testimony
rejecting on his integrity. and he declared
that there was not q word of truth in
Rogers statement that Senator Harris had
denounced witness as scOundrel.
Mr.. Ranney began to catechiSe the wit
ness with reference 10 the omission of the
Nipper affidavit from the interior depart
ment record. The witness had long con-
ttohOiSs WIN MI ANduilcl dOoul
ter, and declared that that gentleman was
trying to misrepreSent his motive in omit
ting the affidavit. he objected TO the at
tempts to beSmireh him by counsel for
other companies.
what do you mean by that?' inquired
Mr.. Ranney.
The Witness-I understand you are here
as the advocate OF the Bell company.
Mr.. Ranney (indignantly)-wh told you
thaty Where did you get IL?
Witness-'I have been told that you own
stock In the Bell company.
Mr.. Ranney-I will tell you that / do not
own any stock In the Bell company; do not
know any officer in that company and have
no more connection with IL than you have.
The Witness (Colly)-If were not on the
stand, and made such a statement you
would say that you did not believe me. Now,
unless you go under oath. / will not believe
your statement i have done q proper duty
here In the interest Of my company and OF
the public, and do not intend that anybody
shall besmirch my character
Mr.. Ranney (angrily)-If you don't stop
your Impudent-
The Witness Qnterrupting)-whe you IN
dertake TO make IL appear that / have tried
to play trick on the court, you can't do 1t
with me.
Mr.. Ranney-I have asked you a proper
question and insist on an answer
lhe Witness-I deny that the questions are
proper.