New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-24

HE DECLARES HE HAS BEEN IN THE CITY FOR
WEEKS AND DECLINES TO BE SWORN OR TO
TESTIFY AS TO BRooKLyN BRIDGE
AFFAIRs-A LIVELY SESSION
COLONEL WILLIAMS, DIR.
ABBOTT. Mr.. RossI
TER AND 9TH
ERs on THE
The sudden return Of the Assembly Cities Com
snittee to No. IL OF the city Han 10 con-
t,nue the investigation of Brooklyn Bridge anairs
Yesterday morning was surprise TO many per-
sons and a particularly dsagreeaele surprise 10
Senator DAME, Bradley, of Brooklyn ior wnom
the subpoena servers OF the committee uecia'eu
they had been searching in vain during soo'
part OF the autumn. Indeed there was room ior
suspicion that the recent announcement that tne
committee had finished It's investigation and would
hold no more sessions 10 take testimony was
trick TO throw Uncle Dan off his guard ann
enable the agents serve him with subpoena
Charles W Earring. the committees counsel was
In high feather when the investigation was re-
sumed yesterday morning. and he said that seha-
tor Bradley had been summoned as witness anu
would have 20 attend or be Liable to punishment
for contempt Members of the committee preseii'
were Joseph l.. Whittet. Senaior-elect faVey' -
c. Cole. James Keenholts and W. H. pr'scoi
Before
Howell OF the Bridge Trustees, was called TO the
x,,,ness-s,and 10 give some additional testimony
In reply 10 Mr. Earring. President Howell SAID
that the sentiment of the people OF brooHlyh was
overwhelmingly in favor Of permitting the brooh-
lyn Heights Railroad Company to use part Oh '"e
plaza at the Brooklyn end o: the Bridge ior
terminal
Mr. Howell said he had received about forty
letters from prominent citizens of Brooklyn ana New
York advocating the proposition 10 give 'he
BROOKLYN Heights Company adequate termiha.
facilities at the Bridge. Mr.. Earring read some OF
the letters These letters, Mr.. Earring said, had
AL been written in the same place and sent out 10
be signed by different They were In three
forms and Mr. Earring wanted 10 prove they were
rot genuine
Were these letters Mr. Earring asked sent
out from your Office 10 be signed?
President Howell replied. holly: That is an IN
quitting Question:.
Wei | will ask +. all the same" retorted Mr..
Earring
II won't answer IT," snapped Mr.. Howell
Senator Bradley entered the room at this moment
and looked around with smile. He shook hands
with Scrator-eect Pavey and appeared be in ex-
cellent humor.
Mr. Earring later said he would withdraw any I'M
putation that the letters had emanated from the
Office of the Bridge Trustees
DR. ABBOTT ON THE STAND
The next witness was the Rev. Dr. Lyman Alb
loft He said that in his opinion there was OH! oie
remedy for the relief of the congestion of traffic on
The Bridge and that remedy was a subway from Inc
entrance of the Bridge. under Fulton-st as far up
as Fiatbush-ave. Dr. Abbott was opposed 10 CIV
ing up any part of the plaza to the Brooklyn Hegh's
Company.
Professor George ". Plympton, of the Poly
technic Institute. Brooklyn who was MEMBER OF
the BOARD OF Experts appointed in 1890 TO consider
the question terminal facilities for the Brooklyn
Bridge testified that he thought DIR. Abbotts plans
feasible If Washington-st. could be excavated so
that cars could get under the yards.
TROUBLE WITH SENATOR BRADLEY
Then Senator Bradley was called, and there was
applause as he took the witness chair and pnch OF
snuff.
senator Bradlev" said Mr. Earring. you are
called here as a citizen of Brooklyn, having some
knowledge OF the management OF the Brioge' 10
testify 10 what you know
II decline TO be sworn or to testify under these
circumstances, said Senator Bradiev anu ne tooh
another pinch OF snuff.
I'VE also call upon you. said Mr. Iaring as
citizen who has made certain statements IN puonc
as to the mansge Of the Brooklyn Bridge ana
we want you to explain what was meant by them
This committee has no Jurisdiction over me at
ALL" replied Senator Bradley Il have made no
statements except such were privileged on the
floor Of the Senate and decline to be Intercepted
by this committee
Here Mr. uapin said: IF you refuse to be sworn
you render yourself liable to the Legislature for
contempt"
Senator Bradley snapped back: Whatever state
ments made were privileged, and say again that
this committee has no jurisdiction over me- ooht
believe this committee can accomplish anything
And you stIll decline to be sworn
Yes decidedly" replied Bradley. Il am a
Senator of the State of New-York until January
and claim the privileges Of Senator ,.
said Mr. Earring. have no reference to what you
q ne
know nGhn qs aeop 1d a sa sa'a
There was awkward pause for few moments
and then Mr.. Hapin said Il think the refusal OF
and should be considered in executive session. VIII
you be present tomorrow morning at the session
This question angered the. Senator. "Do you
think he shouted 81 am GONG 70 MAI 1u vo %, haS
three expert subpoena-servers looking for ,, me
weeks, and have never lodged your subpoena
And you will be present tomorrow 49,
Yes 4 live shall be ,od here noiS na w yne0 this d
SNUFF. cast a triumphant glance at the committee
and swept majestically out OF the room
AN ASSURANCE, HE SAYS. WAS GIVEN.
President Ro.siter of the Brooklyn Heights Rail-
road Comapny. called next. and was asked as
10 the purchase of the tract OF land adjoining the
plaza at the Bridge entrance from the brooklyn
Heights Company by the Bridge Trustees, and
whether or not the road of which he was presi-
den, had received any promise that II would be
taken care Of II ii allowed the purchase to be
made -,
IAN assurance was given" said President Ros-
sitter that II we would make no objection to the
sale of that land the trolley lines would be included
in comprehensive plan which would be formu-
lated in building the Bridge Plaza
"But can't you tell who Informed you spe-
officially OF these sssurances?"
II cannot sir. and / think 1t would be better II
Won would go 70 those who were In charge six years
ago at the time the purchase of the land was made
only o2l 's six Months president Of the COMPANY
THAT is the best answer you can give?'
II don't see that you require any better, retorted
the witness
1--WE are the best judges OF what We want" an
swered Mr. Earring, "and want you to understand
II, Mr. Rossiter."
LAST VISIT IN AUGUST.
Colonel Timothy c. Williams formerly secretary to