The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-04
PARK COMMITTEE WORK
WILLIAM ii. WATT FAILS TO THROW
LIGHT ON THE SUBJECT.
None of the Witnesses Gave to a Fund
TO "Inhuenee OmciaIs'-End
Next Wednesday.

City officials and others who seemed to
think that something would develop in the
park investigation yesterday afternoon
crowded into City Clerk Stuckmeyer's office
with a score of men and women who had
sold lands to the city and who had been
summoned to appear before the Council
committee Nothing was adduced to show
that there had been any corruption. At the
end of the afternoons work members of
the committee and the city officials seemed
satisfied that the source Of various rumors
had been discovered. When w. H. Watt
was on the stand Mr. Allen cross-questioned
him very closely after he had stated that
he had contributed nothing TO a fund that
was raised for the purpose Of influencing
any city official" in the words of the stereo-
typed question that Mr. Costello put to him
as well as other witnesses. Mr.. Watt, in
answering Mr. Aliens questions, insisted
that the only money he had paid was 500
to Charles NJ. Cooper and $50 to Controller
Johnson for the taxes of 1898. He could not
remember telling various persons, whom
Mr.. Allen named, of having been required
to give $500, neither could he remember
ever having said that he had conversations
with John J. and Charles NJ. Cooper in
which he was told by them that they had
contributed $4,000 and that large sum had
been paid by Hiram w. Miller The only
thing he could remember was that he had
paid $780, He was pretty sure that if he
had paid $500 he would remember it. Mr..
Watt is pretty old farmer, who lives on
the Myers gravel road half mile north of
Emrichsville, on land adjoining that which
he sold to the city for $1,000. After he had
left the stand and the room and after the
hearing was adjourned for the day. Deputy
City Attorney Bell exclaimed that Mr.. Watt
was the man who had been responsible for
the rumors.
Il would like to have subjected that man
to thorough cross-examination for about
ten minutes. 1 would have found out what
was the matter with his memory" he de-
clared emphatically
Mr.. Costello replied to the deputy city
attorney, whose remarks appeared adj
dressed to him, that he had asked the
questions you suggested yourself" Con-
troller johnson did not appear until after
Mr. Watt had left, and then expressed
disappointment at not having been there in
time to hear him testify. While his in
vestigation was being conducted one of
Charles NJ. Coopers friends stood in the
open doorway listening closely. He met Mr.
Watt and walked away with him, and
little later Charles NJ. Cooper appeared,
calm and unruffied. Later in the afternoon
Mr.. Cooper had the official reporter read
the questions that had been put to Mr. Watt
and his forgetful answers He laughed at
certain portions, especially where the
answers indicated very defective recollec-
ton.
Little of Importance was brought out in
of the al bpr a - tto xryit
nesses were asked whether they had been
asked to contribute to any fund raised for
the purpose of influencing any city officials
The answer was, of course, invariably mega
tive. No one had contributed anything, in
any way, to any sort of fund, and no one
knew anything about any such fund be-
ing raised except what they had heard"
Thomas N Spann was questioned about lots
in the Collett and Hubbard addition, some
of which the city bought as low as $40 and
$50, and others for which it paid $780, not
ably those from John z. McGettigan Mr..
Allen asked him if there was any reason
why there should be such a difference in
price and he replied that there was not I'M
less it might be that some of those who
only held a few lots would not sell unless
given a good price. The executors of an es-
tate holding large number of lots We're
glad to sell for $40, while others insisted on
6tlllIS CONSIDERABLY more.
do you consider he was asked ''that
the $50 lots were sold too cheaply, or that
the 500 lots were sold too high?'
L do not consider the 800 lots were low
nor do l consider the $50 lots were very
cheap do not think any of the lots were
cheap
Here Mr.. Costello objected to any ques-
tions going into the value of the lands
bought
Most Of the persons who sold land to the
city have now been heard, either in person
or by the agents and attorneys who repre-
sent them. AS stated above, they have all
answered the leading question put to them
in negative way and no one has been
found willing to testify to ever having paid
anything to any one, except a few who paid
commissions to agents and attorneys There
is to be another meeting of the committee
next Wednesday night, when newspaper
men and others living in this city are to
be examined. Mr.. Watt will be recalled, as
will Mr.. Waddell. Others whom Mr.. Allen,
of the committee, seems to have been in
formed talked with Mr.. Watt, as evidenced
by the character of the questions he asked,
will also be summoned. The rest of the in
vestgation will be directed toward the Watt
transaction. Below is a full transcript of
Mr.. Watts examination made by Frank B.
Ross, the official stenographer of the COM
mittee The statement was under oath. Mr..
Costello conducted the examination in chief
and Mr.. Allen the cross examination. After
giving his name and residence the examina-
ton proceeded as follows:
BY Mr.. Costello-Question-Mr Watt
you We're the owner OF some of the property
now embraced in Riverside Park, which was
sold to the city for park purposes were you
not Ayes, sir.
Q.-Were you solicited by any person to
donate TO a fund for the purpose of in
purchase or location of the park? A.-No,
sir
Q.-Neither elective or appointive? A.
No, sir.
Q.-You contributed to no such fund? A.
Not as l know of.
Cross examination. questions by Council
man Allen-Q.-Mr. Watt, were you visited
by Mr. John j. Cooper or Charles Cooper
during the pending of that purchase and
asked TO contribute to any fund for the
purpose of selling this land? A.-No, sir. |
nave met them on the road and made q
price to them on the land.
Q.-You made them price on the land?
Ayes, sir.
Q.-You did contribute something didn't
don't know what 1t was for. Yes, / paid
out some money.
Q.-You did pay out some money? A
Yes, sir
Q-How much did you pay out? Al paid
500 TO Charles Cooper.
Odd you pay out any other moneys?
A.-NOthng, only l paid to Mr.. Johnson, l
believe $50. to pay taxes with, to the city,
Tor 1898. Then, got my pay for the land.
Odd you tell any parties that you We're
asked 10 contribute, and did contribute,
$5OOY A.-Not that | remember of now.
Q-You don't remember 1t If you did? A
No, sir; not now.
Odd YOU tell Mr.. Smith, of Hawkins
& Smith that you did contribute $500? Al
think not. l don't think that / know Mr..
Smith at all. l never had any conversation
with Mr.. Smith that l know of.
Q.-Hou never had any conversation with
Mr. Smith A-NOt I of