The Indianapolis journal., 1886-03-18
Interesting Revelations by Rogers.

To the Western Associated Press
WASHINGTON, March 17.-Dr. j. w. Rogers
to-day testified before the telephone investiga-
tion committee. He described the organization
of the Pan-electric Company as heretofore pub
lished. When the witness proposed to give $780,
600 in stock to each of his associates Senator
Harris said it seemed to be little generous, but
as they expected to make enough money for
everybody, they would accept the stock. The
witness had written to Senators Window, BENZ.
Lefeyer and Clarke that he had small amount
Of stock to their credit, but they had oil de-
clined. The gentlemen associated with himself
in the company were to pay nothing for their
interests The witness wished to secure the CO.
operation of men of integrity and of national
reputation; without the names of such men the
stock could not be sold.
Mr.. Boyle-Was anything said By any of the
gentlemen with reference to the company deriv-
ing any advantage from any official position held
by any one of them2
The witness-Never as far as / know. The
object was to bank on their names and reputa-
ton and ON my sons genius. Two meetings
were held in the room of the Senate judiciary
committee for the organization of the telephone
company. There were present Loomry Rogers,
jr.. Senators Harris and Garland, and General
Johnston. General Atkinson was not there At
the first meeting a general agreement was
reached. Senator Garland prepared the papers
and submitted them at the second meeting.
charter for telephone company was obtained in
Tennessee and one for telegraph company was
obtained in New York. There never was any
Panelectric stock issued The certificates were
about as follows:
J. W. Rogers is entitled to $500 900 in the Pan
electric Telephone Company.
CASEY YOUNG, Secretary.
Senator Harris opposed the issue of stock The
witness supposed the gentlemen were unwilling
to have their names 60 on the stock because
they regarded them as sacred. 1t was also sug-
gested, in conversation, said he, that possibly
this whole thing would fall 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 $75, 600. which the associates had
received together with the money for the Ten
nessee rights New York had been sold origi-
nally for $1,000 600 in stock to enterprisine sons
of Abraham. Senator Harris thought they could
get more out of it in that way. After some ne
eotiatons witness and his son, with Messrs.
Klotz, Money, Denver and Manning, secured the
Pennsylvania rights that WIS early in 1884
The Chairman-Then Mr.. Money was mem
Der of Congressl
Continuing, the witness sail the District of
Columbia and Maryland were also sold Chicago
was sold for $4,000, ''of which" said the wit
100000 in stock in the Pennsylvania 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 that
if there was any legislation connected with the
affair he could have nothing to do with it, The
witness wanted Randall and Carlisle in the
Pennsylvania company to give prestige to Ethe
stock. He had written to these gentlemen that
he would simply credit them on the books with
the stock The witness then explained that his
political affiliations had always been with the
Democratic party, and most of his friends be-
longed to that party. A bank clerk had told
."There is only one thingsyeu want to 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 or
ganizod, that Mr.. Garland would be Attorney
general; hut he had done his best to make him
Attorney.general after Clevelands election. He
had dedicated a book to Attorney general Car