The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-22
Mcdonald Tells About the Flush
ing Gas Company.
FREEDMAN ON THE STAND
Croker Received a Portion OF the Bond
Company's Commissions-Refused to
Discuss Private Affairs-Him-
melwright Was Flippant.

who was among the spectators, ad-
dressing Mazet, said he was lawyer
and desired the privilege of cross-ex-
aminating certain witnesses. He ap-
parently represented Police Commits
sioner Price. Mazet said Henderson's
request would be considered later
Henry Mcdonald, the nominee of the
Chicago platform democracy for
governor at the last election, was the
first witness. When asked if he had
any knowledge of affairs connected
with the Flushing Gas company, he
said he had He stated that he had
learned various facts from w. B. Bur-
nett, a director of the gas company.
He said the company was reorganized
in 1898 and that Henry ]. Braker,
| member of the Democratic club and
present owner of the club building, and
| another man had purchased the first
| bonds of the company and were made
directors. Soon after this the Flushing
| company endeavored to obtain a con-
| tract from New York city under the
administration of Mayor Van Wyck.
| This was not successful. Finally it was
arranged by broker with Mr.. Croker
that the stockholders should turn over
| to Andrew Freedman 20 per cent of the
|
the benefit of Croker and Freedman.
Witness testified that the stock was
| contributed by the different stOckhold
ers pro rata and was issued to Freed
man. Thereupon Freedman was elected
a member of the board of directors.
| Continuing, witness said:
! "The agreement on the part of Croker
and Freedman was that as soon as pos
sible the company would receive a con-
! tract for at least 500 and possibly 1000
additional lights. Now, as to whether
Croker had carried out his contract or
not don't know
Mr., Sullivan asked: Were you not
found with Chairman Hackett of the
| republican state committee in confer
ence, making arrangements concerning
the silver wing of the democratic
party?"
Mcdonald emphatically denied any
such treachery. What he did do, was
| this:
when we were at Albany. at the
close of the last campaign, we had a
contest over my petition, which was
crimnally and maliciously destroyed
in the office of ex-senator Hill. After
consultation over the telephone with
that worthy gentleman, he went to
| Burns and solicited him to contribute
money to make our contest in court.
He could not contribute, saying it was
a matter of no concern to the repub-
lican party. No financial aid had
been given the Chicago platform from
any source"
Andrew Freedman was called. He
held stock in the Flushing Gas COM
| pany, but refused to state the amount
on the ground that it was a personal
matter. He denied that after he went
into the company it was allowed to
supply gas to light more lamps in
Flushing.
I'VE are" said the witness. supply
ing less now than previously to my
going into the company
Mr.. Croker, he said, knew nothing
Whatsoever about his holding stock in
the company. Mr.. Freedman said he
was connected with the United States
Fidelity and Guarantee company He
said he had nothing to do with politics
Mr.. Croker had never assisted him in
getting stock in any corporation unless
he himself had paid for it. He had
paid for every dollars worth of stock
he owned. Mr.. Croker had paid for the
stock he owned in the Fidelity and Guar
antee company. Mr.. Freedman refused
to answer whether there was a rate
war between his company and the
other company on the ground that the
question was not pertinent to the in
estigat ton. Chairman Mazet instructed
him to answer, but Mr.. Freedman re-
fused.
company had paid no dividends Mr.
Moss drew Freedmans attention to the
testimony of Mr.. Croker, who stated
before the committee that he got divi-
dends regularly from the United States
Fidelity and Guarantee company. Mr.
Freedman said he could explain that
very easily. AS manager of the COM
pany, he had a salary and commission
beside owning stock. He divided his
salary and commission with Mr.. Croker
according to previous agreement
There was no contract for such an
agreement.
''Mr Croker relies upon my word, ;,
said Mr.. Freedman. The witness re-
fused to tell the exact nature of the
agreement he had made with Mr.
Croker. Witness was very anxious tC
have Mr.. Croker's friendship and as
sistance in this company ''on account
of the legion of friends that he has got
all over this country
Mr.. Freedman admitted that it was
not advertised that Mr.. Croker was
interested in the company. But his
friends know it, he explained. Mr.
Freedman said that he received $15,00C
a year and that he worked very hard
for it,
DO you divide your commissions
with Mr.. Croker?" asked the lawyer.
Il will not say that l divide them, y
said Freedman. II will say that Mr.
Croker received proportion
Mr. Freeman said he did not give
Mr.. Croker any part of his salary. MT
Mazet directed the witness to state
what proportion of commissions he paid
to Mr.. Croker. Mr., Freedman refused
to answer on the ground that the
agreement was of a personal ma
ture."
He said the commissions paid to the
Ttmmany leader did not amount tc
$4,000 a year, but he refused to say
of they amounted to $25 900 Mr.. Freed
man said there was no official record
of the money paid to Mr.. Croker. Mr.
Freedman stated that Mr.. Croker was
not interested in any business propo-
sitions with him excepting "a small in
terest in the United States Fidelity and
4 Guarantee company"
Mr.. Moss said: I ask you if you