The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-05-12
Col. Villas Is One Of the Stockholders, but the
Witness Declines to Give Names Of the
Other Members of the Corporation.
Outline OF a Tariff Measure That Will
Be Brought Forward by Mckinley.
Favorable Report on Blouhts Bill for Con-
struction of Postofice Buildings-Mr. Tur-
pies Claim to Seat Declared Valid.
Col. Knight Gives Volunteer Testimony, but
Declines To Be Specific.

Col Knight Gives Volunteer Testimony, but
Declines To Be Specific.
wAsHINeroN. May 1.-The examination of
Col Knight general manager OF the Superior
Lumber Company, was resumed this evening.
The most interesting feature was one which
will not appear in the Record. During the
course of . long cross-sxamination by Senator
Chardier, the witness was asked TO give the his
tory Of the company and the names Of the largest
stockholders. He proceeded with the history, and
named several gentlemen az smone the leading
stockholders, bat declined to state the amounts
of stock they owned, on the ground that he had
no right to exploit their private business affairs.
He made an exception In respect Of Col WIN.
F. Villas. who. he said. owns two hundred and
forty shares, of the face value Of $4,000, and
himself. whose investment was 100, or siy
hundred and thirty shares.
Senator Chandler insisted on having further
information, and Senator Faulkner objected.
The witoess in reply to Senator Faulkner.
stated that all the stockholders were Republic
ans except Mr.. Villas and himself, and that mona
Of them had any connection in any way with
the matters under investigation.
Mr.. Faulkner then repeated his objection
Mr.. Chandler said that generally the place
on the floor of the Senate. but here WAS . wit
ness who had come on, not by the invitation of
either side, and had thrust in the Superior Lum-
Der Company. Now he Mr.. Chandlerl was not
willing to take just what that witness might be
willing to say, and stop there. That was not
the kind Of an Investigation he was conducting.
1t was q common Belief all through the North
west that Gregory had been appointed by the
influence OF men connected with the Superior
Lumber Company, and that he fayoriug
that company in the matter of securing con-
tracts with the Indians under his charge. Hero
were letters written in the companys once BY
the company's book-keepsr, by direction OF the
company had dealings with the Indians. The
witness had once said that the letters were for
Reries, but now admitted that they were not.
He explained that they were signed BY mistake
He tMr. Chandler) did not believe il. and be
was going to get at the bottom Of the matter IL
possible. He proposed to inquire all about the
stockholders and the amount Of their invest
ment
Resuming, the question being repeated, the
witness said he could not remember the amounts
OF investments of other shareholders, and would
not furnish them from the company's record IN
less compelled to do so by law, except az TO Mr..
Villas and himself He would not draw in. the
affairs Of men not connected in any way with
the matters under discussion. he said be had
recommended Mr. Gregory verbally to Secre-
tary Villas for appointment to the Indian trader
ship, but did not remember whether he had
however. have cheerfully done 50.
Senator Chandler asked the witness whether,
in case the Superior Lumber Company had seen
at to buy the logs of the Indians, he 1.-The
witnessl would have thought it improper or
illegal, to which the witness replied that there
would be nothing improper OF illegal In such
transactions. The Senator asked why, then, the
witness had come on to Washington in connee-
ton with the matter, and questioned the witness
as TO which Of the Superior people were seusi-
tive. The witness said there was reason,
except that the committee seemed to be fishing
around to connect the company in some way
with these matters. and be wished to state the
truth to the committee The witness was also
questioned at length about Kennedy's connec-
ton with the company. his functions as super
intsndent, etc.. and In the course OF the further
examination repeated that the company never
had any interest in Kennedys purchases of logs
from the indians, which we're sil made on his
personal account Clark the companys book
keeper, was also Kennedy's clerk, but the pay
ments for logs on Ksnnedy's account, were never
made at the company's Offices Kennedy had
once handed in his resignation as supsrintend-
emit. but had withdrawn 1t on the understanding
that be was at liberty to buy logs his private
account Mr. knight was thersupon discharged.
| The chairman said, for the benefit Of Mr..
Knight, referring 70 an Occurrences OF yesterday.
| that the investigation WAS not iustRated by
| Governor Pound, but he mr.. Chandler. had .
report made by an agent Of the COMMITTEES who
| went MP into Wisconsin before he Mr. Chandlerl
| became chairman Of the COMMITTEES. The in
vestieation was based upon that report.
DIR. George c. Ellison, who was appointed by
| Commissioner Atkins to be an Indian trader at
| the Usage agency, Indian Territory, wss .be-
| fore the committee at his own request, TO deny
certain statements made by witnesses examined
year ago in the Territory. These were to the
effect that Ellison sonRht to secure q partner
ship with several Of them by improper means,
that he boasted Of his influence at Washington.
and said that the licenses Of traders who were
on the ground would not be renewed Mr.. FL
lison made explicit denials that anything Of the
kind ever occurred and declared that all his
proceedings were straightforward and up
right Adjourned subject to call.