The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-21


sions today. An sorts OF rumors re-
gardIne the probable developments OF
the day were current but there was no
definite Information regarding theNplan
which Frank Moss. chief counsel 10 the
committee, intended to adopt. The
members OF the committee previous -
the session met in Mr. Moss Office ana
held "a short conference.
Immediately after Air. MaZet called
the committee TO order, Mr.. Hender-
son who was among the spectators rose
and addressing Mr.. Mazet. stated that
he was a lawyer and desired the prlNl-
lcge 10 CroSs-eNamine certain witness
es Mr.. Henderson apparently repre-
sented Police Captain Price and was
anxious 10 show that the statements
made against that official by Buttner at
a previous hearing were untrue. MI.
Mazet said that Mr. Henderson request
would be considered later.
Henry Mcdonald. the former nominee
OF the Chicago platform Democracy for
governor at the last election. was the
first witness. lie stated that he was a
lawyer and resides at present I'm Min
era City, Va.
Mr.. Moss asked the witness: You
have some knowledge of the affairs
connected with the Flushing Gas COM
panyy'
Mr.. Mcdonald said he had. He stated
that William B. Burnett, director or
that gas company. was "a close asso-
ciate of his and that from him he had
learned vrious facts.
Mr.. Mcdonald said the gas company
MAS reorganized In the beginning or
1898 and that Henry J. Braker, mem
ber OF the Democratic club. ana the
present owner OF the Democratic club
building. and another man. purchased
the first mortgage bonds OF the com
pany and were made directors. soon
after this. Mr. Mcdonald stated the
Flushing company endeavored To OBJ
tain a contract from New York city,
under the administration of Mayor van
Wyck but were not successful. Con-
tinuing. Mr.. Mcdonald said:
Finally it was arranged by Mr.
Braker with Mr.. Croker. that the
stockholders of the company should
turn over 10 Andrew Freedman 20 per
cent. Of the stock of the company, tc
De held for the benefit of Mr. Croker
and MIR. Freedman"
Mr.. Hoffman asked n Mr.. Mcdonald
was present when that arrangement
was made. The witness said he was
sirnply stating what he had been told
=rontfnufng, Mt. MCDONALD testified:
This stock was contributed by the
different stockholders pro rata and was
issued 10 Mr.. Freedman. Thereupon
AIr. Freedman was elected a member
y az the board of directors. The agree
ment on the part Of Mr.. Croker and Mr.
y freedman was that IA soon as possible
the company would receive a contract
for at least 500 additional lights DOS
sibly q thousand additional lights Now
MS to whether Mr. Croker has carried
out his contract or not, ] don't know
Mr.. O'Sulivan. who appears for the
city departments asked Mr.. Mcdonald
regarding his recent arrest FOR -issn=
a fg bogus checks.
MIR. Mcdonald testified to his acquit-
I tai on that charge. Mr.. O'Sullivan
asked: "Weren't You and Chairman
1sackett OF the Republican state COM
mitfee. I'm conference. making arrange
nsents concerning the silver wing OF the
Democratic party?"
No" said Mr.. Mcdonald.
MIR. McDonald emphatically denied
any such treachery. What he did do
was this. he said:
when we We're at Albany at
The close of the last cam
paign having a contest over my
petition which was criminally and ma
lfciously delayed in the Office OF ex-Sen-
ator Hill after consultation over the tel
ephone with that worthy gentleman. |
went To Mr. Burns and solicited him to
A contribute money To make our contest
|7i IN the court. He would not contribute
any money. He said IL was a matter of
\ no concern OF the Republican party
The Witness stated that the Chicago
platform Democrats had never received
a dollar from any Republican source
10 help their campaign. The witness
had Contributed. about $4,000 of his own
money. Through the campaign the
Witness became bankrupt.
The witness intimated that his arerst
WAS due TO an effort 20 prevent hin
testifying before the Mazet commits.
sion Mr. Mcdonald said he believed
the alleged bogus checks were "stoler
y from his Office by some Tammany
man.
Andrew Freedman was then called,
lie admitted that he held stock In thc
Flushing Gas Company. He refused q
s:ate the amount on the ground that II
WAS a personal matter.
Ibid YOU go into the company aftci
conferr,ng with Nh. Croker" asked
: Mr.. Moss.
''NII.. Croker knows nothing whatsu
s. ever about my holding stock i'm this
& company" said Mr.. Freedman.
Mr.. Freedman said he was connected
with the T.. s. Fidelity and Guaran-
aufee company. Mr.. Freedman said
that the "Platt company the Fidelity
and Deposit company" was placed AZ
q so-surcty on nearly ever city contract
held bv witness company.
MIR. Croker had never advised him ia
getting stock In any corporation unless
ne hiinself had paid FOR it He had
3 raid for every dollars worth of stock
ne owned. Mr.. Croker had paid fuI
The stock he owned i'm the United Statni
{. Fidelity and Guarantee Bond company
Mr. freedman refused Go answer
g Whether there was a rate war between
4 his company and the other company.
Aif. Moss drew Mr. Freedman's al
! ffntion 20 The testimony OF Mr.. Cro-
4 kcr. who stated that he received diVi
siends regularly from the United state
Fldellty company. Mr. Freedman ga a.
he could explain that very easily. ~
mauaeer Of tie company he had 49,
salary and commission.
lie divided hls salary and commss -
with Mr.. Croker. according TO previous
f agreement
what was there between YOU ard
Mr. Croker by which he gets out of this
tofnpany more than his dividcnds2 ?"
~ II realised" said Mr.. Freedman ~
Mr. Croker would lake stock and iOi''
| ,ne In this eutsrprise " would De- most