The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-02
THE PARK PURCHASES
COUNCIL COMMITTEE BEGAN ITS IN
VESTIGATION LAST NIGHT.
Several Witnesses Examined, and
More to Be Summoned To-Day
Municipal Affairs.

Last night the Council committee on in
vestigation and impeachment began hearing
witnesses with reference to the park pur-
chase. Nothing was learned of any exciting
character the witnesses all testifying that
they had no knowledge of a corruption fund
having been raised, nor of having contribu-
ted to it in any manner. President Mahoney
and several members of the Council were
interested spectators, as was Deputy City
Attorney Bell. Tomorrow afternoon the
hearing will be resumed at o'clock the
committee having decided to hold an after
noon session for the accommodation of those
living in the country. August Watcher, w.
II. Watt, the Richardson's, and a number of
others will be summoned to-day by patrol
men who are acting under the direction of
the committee. All the evidence adduced is
being taken by stenographer. The wit
nesses are under oath to tell the truth, as
in a court trial. The committee has power
to compel witnesses to appear from any
part of the county, but does not think any
of the parties will refuse to come before it.
There was difference of opinion last
night as to the scope the investigation
should take. Mr.. Costello wanted Mr.. Allen
TO confine his questions to the one point of
finding out whether the witnesses had any
knowledge of a fund having been raised for
the purpose of influencing any city officials
in buying the parks. Mr.. Allen asserted
that he thought the committee ought TO find
out if there was fund and what was done
with it, whether it was used for corrupting
city officials or not. Mr.. Costello finally con-
sented however, to allow Mr. Allen to ask
what questions he cared to.
Charles NJ. Cooper, whose father, John j..
Cooper, sold much land to the city, was the
first witness He knew nothing about any
fund having been raised, either to induce
small property owners who were holding out
for a higher price, to SELL or to be used in
influencing any city officials elective or
appointive. He testified to receiving about
$500 himself, of which Hiram W. Miller and
his father each gave him $780, and 800 of
which he received from William H. Watt,
one of those who sold This was all the
money he received himself The portion from
his father and Mr.. Miller represented about
two months time which he devoted almost
exclusively to preparing for the trade
Neither John j. Cooper nor Hiram w.
Miller knew of any fund having been raised
to directly or indirectly influence any city
officials in selecting the parks. Mr.. Miller
said that he thought if there had been any
such thing he would have known of it be-
cause he was familiar with the various
transactions. He told about driving over the
land with the mayor two or three times.
He himself had taken only four or five of
the options, not caring to lose too much time
from the bank.
who first suggested the purchase of this
land?' Mr.. Allen asked.
II don't know that / could say 1 don't
know that L know who first suggested it..
1 think it had been talked of for several
years.
Mr.. Miller said he had never heard of a
fund part of which was to make terms
with those who did not want to sell.
James X. Henry SAID emphaLILally that
he did not contribute a dollar" toward any
fund. Joseph r. Evans declared he had
never given them an option on his land al
though he understood that fifty acres of it
was included in the purchase ordinance at
800 an acre-how the city arrived at the
price he was to be paid, he said he did not
know He was positive that the other two
interested with him in this tract had not
yet been sold.
John e. McGettigan said he did not know
whether the lots he sold went into the parks
or not, although he thought they did He
learned from q real-estate man that they
were wanted for parks. He dealt with
Charles NJ Cooper, receiving from him 81 700
for seventeen lots. Mr.. McGettigan said that
other lots in the vicinity Of those he sold
had been sold at prices ranging from $40 to
$50. He had no dealings with the city what
ever Charles M. Cooper explained this, say
ing that in one or two instances the deeds
had been made to himself for the purpose
of convenience solely. He did not handle
the money nor profit by the transactions in
any way the city receiving the lots for
just what he paid In the McGettigan case
the city only wanted seventeen of his lots.
Cooper took them all, transferring part to
the city and the others to August Watcher.
Howell Waddell, a real-estate man, said
that he had assisted William H. Watt in
his transaction, drawing up a mortgage for
him and going with him when he received
his money from the controller Waddell was
asked what he knew about a fund and re-
piled that all he knew was what he had
heard. THAT would hardly be evidence"
suggested Mr.. Allen. At this juncture
Deputy City Attorney Bell whispered to
Mr. Costello, suggesting that it would be
just as we'll to let Waddell go ahead and re-
peat what he had heard. Mr. Costello was
about to recall him, but concluded not to
do so.
While Mr. WaddeH was on the stand Mr.
Allen brought out the fact that there was
an error in the description of the Watt land,
the boundaries of which are described as rum
ming west from the Meyers gravel road
to White river, instead of east" to the
river. The road is west of the river. Mr..
Bell said this was plainly an error that
way. Mr. Allen said the description was
right in the deed, bat he thought it might
be we'll to take the necessary steps to
remedy the defective ordinance.
The committee decided to summon the
editors of the Sun and Journal to appear
and give the authority for articles that have
appeared in their papers,