The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-25
they REFUSED TO TALK
Obstinate Witnesses in the Otis
Bribery Investigation.
THEY ARE IN CONTEMPT
The Committee Will Bring Them Before
the Bar of the Senate-Otis Has
Not Yet Given His Side Of
the Story.

Cincinnati, Jan. 24.-AlIen o. Myers
was the first witness in the bribery in
vestigation to-day. He was at the anti
Hanna headquarters in Columbus on
Jan. Z. His son, who Is clerk at the
Gibson house here. called him up that
night and told him of Boyce's move
ments. The next day his son reached
Columbus with stenographic reports of
Boyce's talk over the telephone with the
Columbus headquarters Myers turned
all the information over to Kurtz and
introduced his son to him. On cross
examination Myers denied that he was
party to conspiracy in getting up the
Boyce- Hollenbeck story about the
bribery of Otis.
e. III. Archer testified to following
Hollenbeck from Columbus to Cincin-
natl and pointing him out to Jerry Bliss.
The rest of Archer's testimony covered
the shadoWing in Columbus and Gin
cinnati.
H. A. Saughtery. chairman of the re-
publican committee. was called, but re-
fused to answer questions on the ground
that the committee had no jurisdiction.
e. b. Voorhis, vice president and d.
rector of the Union Trust and Savings
bank, was called, but refused to be
sworn, because his attorney, J. w. War
rington, advised him that the commit
said he declined to answer questions, he
was kept on the stand a long time
Many questions were asked him about
President Schmidlapp being absent Jan.
7 and and about Cashier Caylor COM
ing to him regarding H. III. Hoilenbeck's
credit.
Voorhis refused to state whether he
ever knew, met or ever received letters
from HoIlenbeck. He refused to state
whether Cashier Caylor came to him
with Hollenbeck and whether the latter
had an order or draft for $4,000, or any
amount.
Rudolph Koehler, cashier of the Union
Trust a. Savings bank, refused to be
sworn, and declined to answer to ques-
tions. He saw Vice President Voorhis
on those dates, but refused to answer
any questions about Hollenbeck on the
advice of Vice President Voorhis. He
declined to answer whether he knew or
ever met Hollenbeck but said he did
not know Fl. III. Boyce. Questions were
pressed because the witness would an
swer regarding Boyce. and others, but
say nothing regarding Hollenbeck. He
declined to answer whether sHolienbeck
! had letter TO Schmidlapp.
Manager Paige of the Western Union
| was asked to produce the H. D." dis
| patch and other messages. He said the
/ company had none of their messages as
/ far back as Jan. TO- and he did not
/ know whether they had been taken
across the river to their offices in Cow
ington and Newport, KY, or sent to
| New York, or where they were. This
| closed the taking of testimony in this
/ city The committee will continue its
work at Columbus.
AS the evidence of Representative
John C. Otis and Col Thomas Campbell
will be very lengthy, they Were not
called here, but Mr.. Otis will likely be
| the next witness at Columbus.
Chairman Burke announced tonight
/ that as soon as the committee was
/ through with all the willing witnesses
/ proceedings will at once be begun to
/ bring all of the unwilling witnesses be-
fore the bar of the senate for punish
| ment for contempt.