The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-09
SHARP'S BUSINESS METHODS.
lie Always Draws Checks to Cash" and Sell
dom Knows What lie Is Paying Money For.

NEW YORK, Feb. 8.-The Senate railroad COM
mittee continued it's Investigation of the Broad
way railroad charter to-day. Ex-Alderman
O'Conr~-testifed as to the dates of various
meetings in 1884 at which the subject of the
charter was considered.
James A. Richardson, president of the Broad
way surface road, produced the stock, check and
cash books, the ledger and stock-transfer books.
with papers pertaining to the business of the road
for 1856. The witness held 1876 shares of 81. 900
each of the stock. He did not buy them. Jacob
Sharp gave them to him.
Jacob Sharp was the next witness. He said
that in twenty years be has kept no books. not
even a diary of his business transactions, only
loose slips of paper carried in his pocket. His
expenses of living had been some millions in
twenty years. The witness was asked about
the cost of the Broadway road, but said he had
no vouchers for the labor. His check books
would not show it. He did not put the amount
on the check when he drew one. He
never put the name of the person to
whom the check was drawn on the
stub. The witness produced a check book.
but there was not an entry on the stubs.
except a few memoranda of dates. There was
nothing to show the year the book was used, or
on what bank the checks were Drawn. The wit.
ness explained that he tore the checks out in
blank and used them when needed, and the only
record was on the loose slips Of paper carried in
his pocket.
In reply to a question from Mr.. Conkline, the
witness said he had made it a practice, for years.
to make his checks payable to "cash' instead of
to the man on whose favor they were.
"And you know a check made payable to Cash
is useless by any finder in event of it's being
lostl' said Mr.. Conkling.
"Yes, | believe So"
"And do You know-you doubtless do-that a
check drawn to Cash needs no Endorsement, and
leaves no trace behind?" asked Mr.. Conkling.
"Well, | don't know as ] do" replied Mr..
Sharp.
"Oh. you don't, ehl7
mo, didn't suppose they'd pay a check with
out Endorsement"
"Did you draw checks to Cash when you were
in the timber business?' asked Mr.. Conkling.
mo, did not, F" was the answer.
1T has only been since you went into railroad
business that you have done this business that
way. ehf'
SWELL, I suppose that is about true was the
reply.
Mr.. Sharp said that his bank account was
written up about a month ago; that he received
his checks, and that he threw them in the waste
basket, and that they were probably taken away
by the chambermaid. The witness did not
know that he had a check in the world. In Juno,
1855, MIR. Sharp remembered that his bank ac-
count was increased 1881, 375. which
was paid to witness by Vermclyea
for first mortgage bonds of the Broadway
surface road. On Sept. "a, 1885, the account
of the witness was 1868, 99I, and not long after
wards the amount was drawn down very much.
There were several checks of over 800, 600. and
one of $500, 600, and ali these checks which drew
this amount we're checks which the witness had
thrown into the waste basket. The amount was
drawn down to some $50, 900.
Can you tell any of the names to whom these
large checks were drawn which cut down the
1868. 99lF asked Mr.. Conkling, while dead silence
fell on the crowd and every neck was Grained
eagerly.
mo, | can't remember said Sharp.
liz reply to further questions. he said that a
certain check for &c., SOC was paid to Robinson,
S cribner and Bright, his COUNSEL; that one for
$3.50, 600 went to Thomas B. Kerr, a distiller.
He could not remember to whom other sums,
$203, 900 and $155, $780,, and sundsy smaller sums.
were paid. His attorneys big bill was for
services and disbursements" Whas the dis
bursements were witness could not recollect.
The above grounds were gone over again more
infinitely. but without developing anything SEN
sational, as the witness did not remember minor
details.