The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-10
NO TRACE OF WHERE
MONEY CAME FROM
Last Nights Session Of the Council
manic Investigation Was Barren
of Results - The Wit
nesses Examined.

Last nights hearing before Alder
man Fuller in the city hall bribery
charges failed to develop anything
sensational. Efforts were made to
show by the local representatives Of
the Barber Asphalt company that
money was paid to Carl w. Mckinney
to be used in furthering the passage
of the repair contract and lot Of
questions were put to General Mana
ger Edward NJ. Stack, of the electric
light companies, with view to draw
ing out an admission that money or
some other valuable consideration fig
ured in securing the passage of the
electric light contract, but the inquiry
totally failed of its purpose in both in
stances.
George P. Griffiths, superintendent Of
the Barber Asphalt company, was the
first witness. In response to questions
by Mr.. Torrey he said he did not know
positively that c. w. Mckinney was
employed by the Barber company. He
knew nothing of any of the company's
money passing through Mr.. McKin-
ney's hands for any purposes.
j. c. Rock, ]. M. West and A. w.
Hartwell We're in turn general agents
of the company in this city, from the
spring of 1898 till May, 1899, when Hen
ry A. Sheldon, the present agent sue
ceeded to the position. Witness was
in charge of the operating department
and has no knowledge of any dis
bursements except for material and
labor in the construction department.
Mr.. Sheldon was next called. He
produced the record book, contain
ing entries of every item of debit and
credit of the company's Scranton ac-
counts since it began business here
and also the check book covering the
period in which the money is supposed
to have passed to Mr.. Mckinney. An
examination of the books was made
by the witness at Mr.. Torrey's request
and with Mr.. Torrey looking over his
shoulder he ran over each item in
search of something that would look
like payment to Mr.. Mckinney, but
the search was in vain.
Mr.. Stack, the next witness, was
closely questioned by Mr.. Torrey as
to the transfer of the Scranton Elec-
trio Light and Heat company's stock
from the Scranton Gas and Water
company to the Electric Company of
America. From the tenor of the
questions. 1t was to be inferred that
the prosecution wanted to learn if it
was possible that some of the stock
went to councilmen. Nothing of in
terest was elected.
Mr.. Stack admitted that his COM
pany had secured an option on the
Scranton Electric Light and Heat COM
pany, and that the closing of the op-
tion was conditional on the securing
of renewal of the city contract. The
option was closed April 6, 1900.
Mr.. Mckinney interested himself in
securing the contract, but did it, so
the witness was informed by Mr. Nc
Kinney. because of his having been a
lifelong friend of Mr.. Scranton, the
president of the Scranton company.
Selectman Melvin and Commoner
Grier called on him for information
regarding the terms Of the bid and he
supplied them with this information,
and lot of other data concerning
rates in other cities and the like.
Nothing was said about money at
any time he met these councilmen, and
they said nothing to him as to how
they intended to vote Mr.. Grier
stated that he wanted the information
that he might go into the question
Another hearing will
take place Tuesday. October 23.