The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-17
The WHISKY TRUST.
Statement by The Directors Regarding the
Alleged Dynamite Plot.

CHICAGO, Feb. 16.-The Whisky Trust
Directors held an important secret meeting
this morning, at which the exposure of the
alleged plot 10 blow up the Shufeldt distil-
lery was discussed The Board of Direct
ors, at the close of the meeting this after
noon, made the following statement:
We are holding our regular monthly meeting
in Chicago instead of Peoria for The purpose OF
ascertaining. as far as possible, the truth 10 re-
spect 10 the charges made against the Secretary
of the company. such widespread publicity has
been given TO the charges, aud so many false ru-
mors are being spread through the press, that
we deem IL our duty To make a brief statement.
Since our lection as Directors we have devoted
our time and best endeavors by honorable meth
ods to the establishment OF the business of the
company on paying basis. We made such
progress In this direction that for many months
the company has been earning and paying
monthly dividends OF oue-half OF l per cent
equal to 6 per cent per annum on It's stock, and
has. in addition, put aside surplus each month,
our business showing continuously a large in
crease in The output for every month over the
output OF the corresponding months Of the pre-
cedlng years. Outside comuetitlnn has never
be IL felt as little rs during the past SIX months
In the MIDST of our unexampled prosperity, that
any one interested In the company should i'm
peril the immense interests o! Its stocK holders
by such a scheme as charged We think no sane
man will believe
In regard TO Gibson, we have to say that he is
gentleman Of character ana high standing, aud
he has been faithful and efficient Secretary OF
the company, and that we do not credit in the
charged against him. The interests OF the COM
pany WILL In our judgment, IN no wise be affected
by this charge. Glbsons resignation has been
rendered aud accepted Gibson, in his letter OF
resignation, assures the Directors in the most
emphatic terms that lie is absolutely innocent of
the charges made against him and that he Will,
II justice prevails, succeed III fully establishing
that fact not only To your satisfaction, but 10
that of the whole world" The Directors, in ac-
ccpling the resignation. assure Gibson of their
entire confidence III his honesty, integrity and
innocence.
President Greenhut and Vice President
Woolner say that Gibson is still in Peoria.
and that all reports tn The contrary are false
They declared that Gibson would make no
effort to escape. The Whisky Trust would,
they said, 40 as much or more than anyb body
else to sift the alleged conspiracy to the
bottom. Notwithstanding the statement by
President Greenhut that Gibson is in Peoria,
q friend of the latter said. he saw the Sec
retary of the Whisky Trust in Chicago this
morning.
The purchase of fifty pounds of dynamite
by Gibson short time ago is explained by
Woolner, who says he bought it to clear out
powders and stumps in tract of land
which he had purchased.
Secretary George J. Gibson of the Whisky
Trust has been indicted by the Grand Jury,
and tomorrow. barring flight, will probably
be again arrested and compelled to give bail
In the State courts in addition to the S200OO
Federal bonds already piled up against him.
Alter hearing the evidence presented by the
government officials regarding the alleged
plot TO blow up with dynamite the antitrust
Shufeldt distillery, there was unanimous
vote that an indictment be found against
Gibson, and States Attorney L0ngenecker
spent some hours at his office Tonight ar
ranging the proper counts on which the
Whisky Trust Secretary will be tried. The
law under which he is held is contained in
section Of the Criminal Code, relating to
possession, manufacture and guilty knowl-
edge of explosives intended to be used for
the injury of any building or person.
PEORIA Qll,), Feb. 16-George j. Gibson
returned from Chicago early this morning.
in the satchel was an autiseptic he and
three others were going to manufacture.