The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-13
PAN.ELECTRIC IGATION.
Pulitzer and j. Harris Rogers ON
the stand

tnO Btdu0s
WASHINGTON, March l2.-The spe-
cial committee of the House charged
with the inquiry into the issuance of
Pan-Electric telephone stock to gov
eminent officers began its investiga-
tons to-day. Mr.. Boyle of Pennsylva-
MIA 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, Han
back of Kansas and Moffatt of Michi-
gan. Mr.. Hale stated that Mr. Pulitzer
was about to leave for New York to-
night, and desired to be examined
during the day. Mr.. Casey Young
said that he represented the persons
charged the stockholders and direct
ors of the Pan Electric Telephone
Company-and wished to know tie
line in which the investigation 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 investiga-
ton. Mr.. Eden understood that the
reason for the organisation of the COM
mittee was that certain charges had
been made in leading newspapers re-
hecting upon the official integrity of
certain government officers. Mr.. Oates
suggested that the newspapers articles
be put in evidence at once, that the
committee might proceed intelligent
ly. Evidence might thus be taken
touching these matters complained OF,
and the committee would ascertain if
the newspaper men could support the
charges. Mr.. Ranney did not believe
that course was practicable; it would
necessitate the examination of a 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 for the
publication of those facts. 81, and | |
alone, solely am responsible, and no
one else said Mr.. Pulitzer. "No hui
man being has tried to influence me
in any way, in any manner whatever.
/ do not know a human being to-day, |
so far as am aware, who is a stock |
holder or interested in the Bell Tele-
phone Company. I had no motive
other than that arising from the feel |
ing that the publication of these facts
was in the nature of news and in the !
nature Of public service" Continu-
ing, Mr.. Pulitzer said that all of his
books and papers, private or other
wise, were at the disposal of the COM
mittee. The publication, instead of
being either hastily or carelessly
ventured upon, had been very care
fully considered. He had the manu.
script for three months in his pigeon
holes before he published it. His cor
respondent at Washington who had
furnished the manuscript had been in
structed frequently during that time
to ascertain whether the matters
therein stated were true or not; only
after he had ascertained from the cor
respondent that he had made every
effort to verify the correctness of the
only after repeatedly en-
phasizing that desire on his part. TO
make sure that everything was correct.
and only when the hope he enter,
tanned that certain gentlemen. more
particularly one gentleman, might rid
himself OF the possession of the stock
which, while not involving any venal-
ity at all, did seem to him an act of
improperly, or of public indiscretion
only when that hope, entertained for
three months, had been disappointed
and he had felt assured that the mat
ters were correct; only then had he
published those records, as they might
be termed. He expressed a Willingness
to answer. Upon eross-examination,
Mr.. Pulitzer said he did not know a
in the Bell or in any of the
rival companies better than the Pan
Electric. He desired, even more than
the committee, to ascertain whether
any paper had been improperly in
iuenced.
Mr.. Ranney asked if Mr.. Pulitzer
knew any official who held any of the
Pan-Electric stock.
Mr.. Pulitzer replied that he did.
Mr.. Ranney-Any one connected
with either House of Congress?
Dir. 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,
md knew Mr.. Garland personally;
ked him very much. Outside of the
- gentlemen named in the publicar