New-York tribune., 1895-12-28

s,nr oMPLETGD-LIKEIIHooD THAT THE
TAXING OF TESTIMONY WILL. BE FIN
IsHED To-DAY-GREAT SECRECY
AT THE NEw-YoRK YACHT
CLUB HOUSE.
After much preparation on both sides the
Investigation of the Dunraven charges against
,he Defender syndicate was begun yesterday
,r the New-York Yacht Club No. 67 Madison
ave.
The committee gave notice some time ago that
,he proceedings would be private. and that
nothing would be made public until the special
committee made its report TO the club. To en-
,orce this privacy a notice has been posted
IN the clubhouse for several days. warning
all persons who are not members Of the club
10 keep away.
The hearing took place yesterday in the
model-room on the second floor of the club
house. The room was arranged to resemble
cou. troom. and after the session began could
be reached only by those who had a pass from
the committee could show that they had
business before the examining body.
Behind long table placed across the head of
the room stood five highbacS chairs for the five
members of the committee. little in front
and AZ each side of this table We're small tables
arranged FOR the Earl of Dunraven and the
syndicate representatives.. and their respective
counsel Back Of these, and occupying the main
body Of the room. were rows of chairs arranged
apparently for witnesses, but they were unoc-
cupied for the most OF the session. because no
one was admitted to the room except to testify.
The club officials refuse to give any informa-
ton on Thursday as to when the meeting would
take place. they could not even say whether an
.foafi bo1 ha0 nd vph kp1
the most simple question. shut up tight as
clam Nevertheless. the newspapers received the
tip that the meeting would be called at 1890 a.
NJ which proved to be the time agreed upon.
EARLY ARRIVALS.
The first Of the interested persons to arrive at
the club was s Nicholson Kane Of the Regatta
Committee. and George L. Rives. of the Investi-
cation Committee. who came at about o'clock.
Half an hour later c. Oliver Iselin and Wood
bury Kane arrived, and from then on the various
persons who expected to testify came in quick
succession. some afoot anc in cabs. To
those who did not know the reason for the gath
erng 1t looked like q reunion Of the yachting
celebrities who weIe seen together so much last
summer
And Dunraven came also.
He left his apartments al No 10 East Twenty
ffth-st. at about 1915. and with his lawyer.
George r. ASK -yitn. his sailing chum. Arthur
Glennie, and NIr. Hamilt IN. his secretary. walked
Up Madison-ave H wore little "dinkey" hat
and a ligh; overcoat The big black box which
was noticed when the party landed. and which,
II was believed. contained the damaging evil
dence. under Mr.. Hamiton's arm, and that
ard Mr.. Askwith's aggressively yellow pointed
shoes attracted muoh attention. few minutes
later Joseph II. Choate appeared on the scene
and then. for the first time the rumor thai he
would manage Mr. Iselin's seemed to have
s'oun1se+aJ- Tor Mr.. Choate had refused TO give
any information on the subject.
-When the group Of sailormen came to the club
house. headed by Captain Hank" Half and Cap
tain Terry some Of III ss who watched the door
and those who went through it felt inclined to
cheer but the inclination was not acted upon
and they passed through the portal some one
Shouted Don't take a bluff. Hank
BEGINNING OF THE INQUIRY
At 1890 the CLUB ensign was run up on the
flagstaff to indicate that the committee had be-
gun its labOrs and about 10 probe for the
truth as to the Dunraven charges.
Among those in the mode-room when the ses-
sion opened were J. Pierpon; Morgan. who occu-
pied the charman's place at the committee table
William G. Whitney. George l.. Rives. Captain
A. Mahan and Edwa d J Phelps c. Oliver
lselin ". Butler Duncan. jr. Herbert c. Leeds.
Woodbury. Kane Latham A. Fish, a Cass Can
field. f. D. Morgan. Captain Hang Han Cap
tain Terry. George Conant. some OF the De
tenders crew the Earl Of Dunraven and his
party. the lawyers and the loaded disfatch box.
One Of the first questions discussed after the
session was opene1 by Mr.. Morgan was as to
whether the proceedings should be public or
secret II was said That Lord Dunraven was
perfectly willing TO havr he hearing public, but
tn committee had decided On perfect privacy.
snd the prearranged plal was carried out
The charges OF Lord Dunraven were read by
Nj. Askwith. but the document was not YET fin
isheI wnen a messenger brought note to Mr.
Morgan. in answer 10 which he went down town.
turning the Craftsmanship over TO Mr. Phelps
The document presented by Mr.. Askwth was
ieiteration in elaborated form Of the charges al
ready published. and 10y which the Defender syn
dicate Were accused Of using unfair means to
Increase the load water-line Of the American
yach. after she had been measured by John
Hys.op. the official measurer. AT the close Of his
address Mr. Askwith made a strong plea for pub
LEFTY and said that he could not understand why
the matter in question should not be thoroughly
and perfectly ventilated.
DCNRAvEN CALLED TO THE STAND.
Atthe end Of Mr.. Askwith's address Lord Dun
raven was called TO the stand and was examined
on the subject OF his charges and gave his rea-
sons for believing that about seven tons Of ballast
had been taken aboard the Defender After his
direct examination was over he was cross-ex-
amined by Mr.. Choate and ne was still in the
midst Of This novel and exhilarating experience
when recess was taken.
In the mean time the sailor men were having
good time down below, where yarns were spun by
The yard ana wher" chil-destroying remedies
Were administered between yarns.
The investigation resumed al about 2;So
with Edward J. Phelps in the chair and Lord
DunraNen on the stand te'ling Mr.. Choate what
ne knew about ballast. During the recess Cap
tain Hyslop came and joined the party on the
Tower deck"
The various members OF the committee and