New-York tribune., 1899-09-23
DETAILS OF THE HEARING.

Az soon as the committee called 10 order Mr.
Moss made one more effort TO obtain possession OF
comics OF the eightyfour options owned by the
Rauapo company which admitted TO be the
concerns most valuable. and perhaps only, asset
although Mr. Moss has pretty well established that
these options were secured for less than 80 apiece
AS the first witness Of the day Mr.. Moss called
Peter Ebert Nostrand the Ramapo company 3
engineer Mr. Moss began by asking him II ne had
nroduced the options plans of surveys and specih-
cations called for in the subpoena served upon hlm
As On the previous day Mr.. Nostrand said he had
NOT done so and what was more. he did not pro-
pose 20 produce them without the permission OF the
conpany's Board OF Trustees. He denied That TINS
refusal 10 obey the committees mandate was the
result of a conference with Silas b. butcher, but
said that Il was based upon his own conception OF
what he deemed TO be his duty TO the corporation
which employed him. AS an engineer to the Ram
spo company. he considered himself as acting IN
the same capacity as would a doctor TO patient
or a lawyer to a client. Upon this contention he 0e-
clined 10 answer any question relating 10 tho Ram
eno comnanv. whereupon Mr.. Moss dismissed him
from the stand.
APPROVED THE ENGINEERS STAND.
s,as B. butcher president Of the company. was
,ba next witness He declared that the position
taken by Mr. Nostrand had his approval, and fur-
tber told Mr.. Moss that he would not instruct the
engineer 10 produce the documents called for with
o,, the consent Of his colleagues on the Board.
Answering question as to whether or not he had
called a meeting Of the. Board for the purpose of
obtaining that permission. Mr.. butcher said he had
not. and what was more. he would not. He had
no obiectioa however to Mr.. Nostrands exhibit
ing the plans and other documents in his once II
the committee or competent engineer cdreu u
examine them there.
why II YOU could instruct him 10 do that Mr.
Moss exclaimed surely you can instruct MIN 10
bring them into COURT"
u can but I am not disposed 70. You could nave
subpnnaed the proper officer to produce them
"Wao Is he?"
The secretary. saw him at his Office several
times after l received a subpoena
Where is he now"
Il don't know
Have you communicated with him.
u saw him at his fathers house IN MontciaH
last Saturday"
Both Mr.. Mazet and Mr.. Moss endeavored TO In
due Mr. butcher 10 recede from the attitude he
had taken with regard to the company's papers and
stock book but he remained obdurate. Commenting
upon The obstnacy shown by the witness. Mr.. MOSS
said that although the officers of the company
knew that the impression prevailed in the com
munty that stock had been given to politicians
YET every official of the company had refused TO en-
tighten the committee upon this point or to diVulge
any information of the company's operations
Their attitude is very luminous Mr. Moss went
On However good their reputation may nave
teen they Will be under a cloud IN this community
get these books we have accomplished something
IN making the officers write down their own rec
ords In The way they have. one OF the witnesses
accused me Of being an assassinator OF honesty.
did no, expect 10 be assasinator OF Ramapo
honesty 7 have allowed this company every oppoF-
tGn.,y show that II is an upright company
but it shrank from the light. am now confident
that W. .ess those connected with the company
free themselves from the cloud under which they
have knowingly and deliberately placed themselves
they viii violate the respect Of every honest man
IN New-York and no city official will dare to enter
Into contract with them"
Mr. DUTCHER's REPLY.
Replying TO this denuncaton. Mr.. butcher sad
that the list of stockholders had been offered to
Mr Moss under terms which would have meant an
opportunity OF summoning any stockholder WHOSE
name appeared thereon but that the offer had been
retuse1. lie declared that he had not had any
dealings with any public officer since the contract
was contemplated
NO" iDtcriected Mr. Mazet but Mr.. Lauter-
bach did"
M Lauterbach" The witness replied. saw the
Members Of the city government only on legitimate
business connected with the contract 90 io'
know a single instance Of a city of1cial or any
one Of political influence having received single
share Of Karapo stock"
Then why do you not produce the DOCKS OF '"'
eoncernT' Mr.. Moss asked.
Because l do not consider have the authority
70 DO 50 without the permission OF the Boaro was
.r. butchers eVasive answer.
Mr. butcher called attention 10 the memorial pre-
seAted 10 the Legislature in lSs3 asking for DeI-
Ter water supply. Conditions. Mr. Moss retorteo'
hsd greatly changed since then; there Is
new eQueduct. and there are new pumping std-
uons and improved equipments generaAy. lie
pointed out that since that time $iOOWOU had Deeh
fp f,npr fta v.