Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-10-06
MAZET HEARING.
The Peoples Telephone Co.'S
Troubles Have an Airing.
District Attorneys Office Actions in
Gusse Storm Case Shown Up.
One Of Moss Subpoena Servers Tells About
Officials Continual Espionage.


New York. oct. 5.-After an ad-
iournmcnt of a week because
nf the arrival of Admiral Dewey
and the recent holidays in this city, the
Mazet investigating committee resum-
Cd its sessions. today. Park Commits
sioner Moebus was the first witness
called. He testified that the city own
ed n number of houses in Bronx park
and rented them to private individuals.
Arthur j. Baldwin, counsel for the
Peoples Telephone CO., complained
because commissioner Kearney. acting
on Eehalf of the department of public
buildings. lighting and supply. had ne
elected to issue the necessary permit
which the company applied. last Feb
ruary President Darwin Il. James of
the same company said that he believ-
ed that there are certain persons in
power who are working for their pri-
vate interests" Commissioner Kear-
ney. being called. said that Mr.. James
could have the permit provided he
would satisfy the department that the
company was genuine organization
and not organized merely for the pur-
pose of selling out.
VIM. Ryan, formerly carpenter in
the department of public buildings
complained that he had been discharg-
ed and another man substituted in MS
place.
Elmer S. White. counsel for VIM j.
Scott, complainant against Max
Schlessinger. an inspector OF lhe
bureau of encumbranceS, who IS aiies-
Cd to have assaulted Scott, testified that
despite the fact that Schlessinger had
been indicted. he still remained an III
spector. The case of Gussie storm at
tracted considerable attention She
testified that Assistant District Attor-
ney Grady. since dead, had urged her
not to press her case against Samuel
Leight. charged with assault ana an
duction Geo. F. Hammen.a subpoena
server. testified that the office OF MI
Moss had been under continual espion-
age Mr.. Moss said he believed tha'
the case of Gussie Storm was brought
IL trial because she had complained TO
his office.
The Mazet committee will hold SEES
sion, Saturday. Justices Van Brunt'
Barrett. Patterson. InSraham. q BFlen,
Ruby and Mclaughlin, constituting the
fun bench of the appellate division 81
the supreme court. first department.
have been invited to be present II IS
understood that Mr.. Moss wishes ~
examine them on the assessment OF ~
dicial candidates.
Park Commissioner Moebus was
the first witness called. today
when the Mazet investigating
committee resumed its session he 'es-
tilted that the city owned and rented
a number of houses in Bronx park
The rents. he said. were about the
same as those charged by the strong
Reform administration
Arthur l.. Baldwin, counsel for the
Peoples Telephone Co, testified that
the company was ready to % business
but lacked permit from the depart
ment of public buildings. lighting ana
supply. to lay wires. The witness
made application to Connissioiles
Kearnev. Feb. 16. 1890. for the permit
bill. but had not received it as yet al
though the usual time necessary TO get
such paper was 30 days. HIS com
pany's rates. he said would be about
one-half those now charged Tor tele-
phones.
PRESIDENT lbdIWlll H. VI 49,
Peoples Telephone Co. said the cor
poration was founded on firm fouh-
dation and was willing to carry ou'
the provisions Of what it was formeh
for. but was prevented through the IN
strumentality Of one man who refused
to give the permits for laying the
wires.
DO YOU anticipate interference from
the other telephone companies? asked
Mr.. Moss.
No. except through the commits
soner.'
Through the commissioner! no"
could that be done
Il believe there are certain person
in power who are working for their pri-
vate ends; il is the common DeH'l
among business men"
Commissioner Henry S. kearney q
the department Of public buildings
lighting and supplies. said: Il have
had the permit from this compan!
since April 18th ready to be delivered
to them if any of them should SATISFY
me that they are bona tide people ant
mean to 90 into business You have
been fighting q phantom Mr.. Moss, u
insinuating that there was SOM
strange reason Tor lfe ueld!'
Mr.. Kearney refused to admit ina
the hermit had been held back ano
said that he did not wish to issue
hermit that was obtained merely to DE-
sold out. Mr.. Moss asked numb 4
of questions trying TO show that con
tracts disadvantageous to the city mo
been entered into with the electric sun
way company. but Mr.. kearney main
tanned that the city had made sop'
business arrangements With that corn
pany.
VIM j. SeDton. secretary or me con
soldated Electrical Subway CO.. sal
his company had never made Il sum
cient amount of money to pay any
thing to the city.
VIM. Ryan. formerly n carpenter L
the department of public building!
lighting and supplies. said ne was an
pointed to his position in 1888. Nj
kearney. he said. caused his discharg'
The reason assigned by Mr. Kearne
was that the lack of work. yet an
other man was put in his place at onc'
Alderman Woods had intimated {
witness that his discharge was due I
the fact that he had been an InGeper
dent voter.