The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-13
THE rELEpHoNE INQUIRY.
Casey Young Told Old Man Rogers that Gar
land Would Bring Suit.

Casey Young Told Old Man Rogers that Gar
land Would Bring Suit
WASHINGTON. March 1.-THE special commit
tee of the House charged with the inquiry into
the issuance OF Pan-electric telephone stock to
government officers began its Investigations to-
day. Mr.. Boyle, Of Pennsylvania. is chairman
Of the committee. which is composed Of Messrs.
Oates, of Alabama; Hale, of Missouri; Eden of
Illinois; Hale of Iowa. Willard, of New York;
Ranney. Of Massachusetts; Hanback,, of Kan
sas, and Moffstt, of Michigan. Mr. Hale stated
that Mr. Pulitzer was about to leave for New
York tonight, and desired to be examined dur
Ing the day.
DIR. Casey Young said that he represented the
persons charged, the stockholders and directors
OF the Pan-electric Telephone Company, and
wished to know tho line in which the investiga-
Aon was to be conducted, so as to make adequate
preparations.
Mr.. Ranney did not understand that charges
had been made against any one--the committee
was simply committee of Investigation.
Mr. Eden understood that the reason for the
organization of the committee was that certain
charges had been made in leading newspapers
rejecting upon the official integrity of certain
government officers.
Mr.. Oates suggested that the newspaper arti-
cles be put in evidence at once, that the commit
tee might proceed intelligently. Evidence might
thus be taken touching these matters complained
bf, and the committee would ascertain If the
newspaper men could sustain the charges.
Mr.. Ranney did not believe that course was
%ractcable; IL would necessitate the examina-
lion Of great number of newspaper men.
Mr.. Joseph Pulitzer. of the New York World,
then took the stand. He said his name had been
connected with the publications touching certain
telephone stocks. He assumed the responsibility
Tor the publication of those facts. II, aud
alone, solely am responsible" said Mr. Pulitzer
mo human being has tried to influence me in
eny way or in any manner whatever. do not
know q human being to-day, 30 far as / am
aware who is stakeholder or interested in the
Bell Telephone Company. I had no motive
other than that arising from the feeling that the
publication of those facts was in the nature of
Continuing. Mr. Pulitzer said that all of his
books and papers. private or otherwise, were at
the disposal of the committee. The publication.
4nstead of being either hastily or care
aessly ventured upon. had been very
carefully considered. He had the manuscript
Tor three months in his pigeon holes before he
published it His correspondent at Washington,
who had furnished the manuscript, had been in
structed frequently, during that time, to ascer-
tain whether the matters therein stated were
the correspondent that he had made every effort
TO verify the correctness of the statements, only
after repeatedly emphasizing that he desired to
make sure everything was correct and only
when the hope he entertained that certain gen.
taemen-more particularly one genteman-had
rid himself of the possession of the stock which,
while not involving any venality at ALL did seem
to him an act OF improperly or indiscreton;
only when that hope, entertained for three
months, had been disappointed, and he had felt
assured that the matters were correct; only then
had he published those records as they might be
termed
Upon cross-exaninati Mr. Pulitzer said he
did not know q stockholder in the Bell or any
6f the rival companies of the Pan electric. He
desired, even more than the committee, to ascer-
tain whether any paper had been improperly in
Auenced.
Mr. Ranney asked if Mr.. Pulitzer knew any
Dficial who held any of the Pan-electric stock.
Mr.. Pulitzer replied that he did.
Mr.. Ranney-Any one connected with either
1ouse OF Congressi
Mr.. Pulitzer replied that he knew Senator
Vest who himself stated that he held some of
the stock-not donated, but bought. He had
been barely introduced to Senator Harris and
knew Mr. Garland personally, and liked him
very much Outside of the two gentlemen
named in the publications, he did not know anv
person in Congress who had any interest in the
Pan-electric company, and he did not think
kheFo was any. The committee knew every
thing he knew about that
Mr.. Ranney-You do not own any Bell tele-
phone stockl
Mr. Pulitzer-I do not own single share of
telephone stock or any speculative stock Of any
kind. have made it my rule and principle to
eechew any speculation whatever. / not only
do not own Bell stock. but do not know any
body holding any interest in the company. lie
lad never thought or said that there was any
evidence of any venaity or corruption. de
never regarded il in that light. but only as
matter Of official improperly or indiscretion-of
questionable taste. In the publication of the
etters he had printed everything that he had
felt justified in printing from a public stand
point Everything else he had tried to exclude.
A motion was made to put Mr. Casey Young
upon the stand, but he protested against the
proposition, as it would require him to refute
charges before no knew what he was charged
with.
The committee finally decided to hear j. Fl.
Rogers, tho. inventor, and he took the stand