Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-04
AGAIN UNDER FIRE.

Testimony in the Plate Glass Hearing Not
All Yet In-Treasurer Scott Still on
the stnnd-severnI New Damage Suits
Brought-Other Court News.
The equity suit of Colonel s. F. Barr and
other stockholders of the Pittsburg Plate
Glass Company VS. the company and Cap
tain ]. B. Ford was on again yesterday De-
fore Master II. d. Gamble, of the United
States District Court. Sol Schoyer, ESQ.,,
for plaintiffs, and d. 7. Watson, Esq. for
defendants, consumed an hour in argument
as to whether plaintiffs should put in evidence
private agreement between Captain Ford and
John Pitcairn, stipulating that the latter
should not enter into business in opposition to
the Tarentum firm. The Master reserved ms
decision.
J. b. Scott's examination was resumed. He
said the check-book of the company would
show whether Sl4 900 in dispute had been paid.
He said there was written agreement between
Pitcairn and Ford, and witness father nad
said there would be no more selling out, as ne
had an agreement with Ford to that erect;
81, l,000.0O0 would not have been paid II such
paper had not been in existence. AT the meet
ing on September 20 1857, the directors resolu-
tion was presented. McLain offered resoiu-
tion to build new works, with $4,000 feet
capacity, and, after amendment was passed,
Vice President Pitcairn refused to surrender
the agreement to the stockholders, holding
that it was private matter. Pitcairn said the
works contemplated could be built for $780,,
OO0
The rest of the forenoon session Mr.. Watson
spent in cross-examining Scott. He said he
was elected treasurer at the organization of
the company. The majority of the capital
stock was held by the Fords Accounts were
kept at the Masonic Bank. Preferred stock
was to get II per cent dividend before common
came in. In 1856 50 per cent was paid. Wit
ness had been indirectly interested in a sale of
LOU shares of stock sold by Ford and was Of
tered one-falf interest by McLain.a Shares
wanted to sell 1000 shares, but was
dissuaded by Scott. He could not say
whether he had about 100000 of Plate
Glass Company's money at that. time
In the Masonic Bank, of which McLain was
cashier; didn't know whether Ford was paid by
check on the Masonic Bank or by drafts on
New York. No opposition was shown to his or
his fathers election to the Board of Directors
latter at the time of his death held 500 shares
of stock and witness j, 100 OF original stock, on
which there was stock dividend of 80 per cent.
All of his fathers stock was sold at Sl47 for
common and 5000 for preferred. Pitcairn and
Scott bought their stock at the time.
Ford wanted new capital and said he sold stock
De.ow its value because he must have money.
At the afternoon hearing Mr.. Watson con-
tinued to press Mr.. Scott for dates OF meet
ings. conversations, ETC., to which he had pre-
viousy testified. Mr.. Scott could not nix many
dates. He admitted that his father was the
person who offered the directors resolution at
their meeting September 20. 1857, providing for
the building of the new works. The witness
did not know what directors attended the
meeting. He stated that before this meeting
of the directors Ford had acknowledged to
him that he was not satisfied with the way the
works were being run, and wished to sell
number Of shares to bring in money, as it was
badly needed. A statement of the earned in
come up TO January !, 1857. showed $4,000 on
hand. When asked by Mr.. Watson why a
dividend Of 500, 600 had been declared then and
was to take effect shortly afterward, the wit
ness stated that the condition of the business
warranted this statement, as the increased in
come would cover the necessary $40, 900.