St. Paul daily globe., 1893-03-25
Rhodes Detective Bought Coal at
n Reduced Rate.


n Reduced Rate.
f. ". Bonham was the first witness
called. He had been under the direc-
ton of John j. Rhodes in a nominal
way. This was in Minneapolis. In
other words, he was employed to call
upon the different coal dealers to
learn If it were possible to pur-,
chase coal at price beneath the
stipulated price fixed by the bureau.
Witness only worked one day. He
called upon six dealerS-the men given
him in the list presented by Rhodes.
Not one would sell below the current
rates. Rhodes explained to witness the
objects of the bureau, and then he
stated that there was suspicion
that some OF the dealers were making
cut rates. The witness, in his inquiry,
was authorized to purchase coal and
have it delivered where he pleased,
with the understanding that it should
be for less than the regular price. The
witness then detailed the methods he
employed in interviewing the local
dealers. This experience occurred in
November or December last, and the
witness found ii exceedingly difficult to
recall the circumstances very mlnutely.
II W do SO lOllE oSOs odlu hCf bAtte
do not remember just who | saw. The
idea was. that if ] could contract for
coal without actually buying it, at
price less than $3.50 per ton. 1t was to
do so. But, in the event l found it
necessary to make a purchase, L was
authorized to make the purchase"
Here the witness memory frightened
up and he recalled buying coal from a
friend in ST. Paul. but he did not want
to give the name of the dealer from
whom he got it. He bought two tons at
81 ton, and he got credit. The wit
ness thought that the company that
sold this coal was taken to task for
transgresSiug the rules of the bureau,
for the ticket from the company was
taken to Rhodes for this specific pur-
pose. The quality and grade were the
same as that he paid $3.50 tor.
1t Was for Harmony.
Thomas w. Wallace was next sworn.
He Is engaged in tine fuel business on
University avenue. Mr.. Dornelly read
copy Of a letter from the witness to
John j. Rhodes inquiring If the Pioneer
Fuel company was authorized to sell
coal at IS cents discount to the employees
of the Minnesota Transfer Railway
company. The witness explained that
the letter had been written by his part
ner, but he acknowledged that, to his
best recollection, the letter was true
copy. Mr.. Wallace is subscriber to
the bureau.
81 do not know just why we belong to
it, said he, in reply to question by
MIR. DOnnelly. II think the main feat
ure was to get SIS from US"
"1hen you have received no benefit
from the bureau?" asked Mr.. DonnellY.
Il do not think that | did"
"Then you were fool enough to pay
S25 for nOthing?"
Witness was decidedly embarrassed,
and conceded that men sometimes do
foolish things. Here. ensued sharp
and cutting inquiry by Senator Dom
| nelly. Witness thought the organiZa-
but he would not agree that
it was certainty, however.
He acknowledged that the letter
in question was written with the idea
! that some one had been underselling
the market price, and Senator DOnnelly
took the witness back TO the subject
matter. and the witness crossed himself
| several times and was as often called
| down by the Sage. He had signed an
| agreement, but he did not know what
it was nor did he have a copy of it.
A Little Strange.
"Do you mean to tell me as a cool
headed business man that you signed
an agreement and did not know what il
was?"
THAT Is just what am telling you"
You know very well what thai agree
ment was. Now, tell me-"
Il cannot-I do not know how to ex-
press myself"
"Do you swear that that agreement
was not to keep up the prices?"
THAT is question"
"Yes, it Is question. and l want an
answer. Remember, you are on yOuI
oath, and that other witnesses are to be
called, and that we will get the facts.
"Mr. DOnnelly, PM telling this a:
fairly as l can"
''No, you are not. You are prevari
eating, and trying to shield yourself anC
| Others"
Mr.. Donnelly then ordered Mr.. AL
lard, witness partner, subpen9d witt
all books and documents.
The letter said that the firm was no
anxious ito mix up in spying busi
ness"
"Who is doing the spying business?'
asked Mr.. DOnnelly
Il suppose it was done in certaiI
cases. l think Mr.. Allard tried to flint
out if some other firm was selling at
less price,"
Senator DonnelIy grew warm anC
active, and his questions were so direc
/ that witness was forced to say agaiI