New-York tribune., 1900-01-20
Mr.. PLATT AS A WITNESS.
HE TEsTIFTEs IN GENERAL CoLLISS
SUIT AGAINST THE WORLD"

BY TO TRIBUNE-I
Washington, Jan Ex-senator Thomas c.
Platt went through the ordeal of legal exam
ination this morning at his rooms at the Airing
ton Hotel which must have made him congratu-
late himself hundred times that he had escaped
any similar experiences last fall before the Ma
zet Committee in New-York The Senator was
summoned as witness in libel suit brought
by General C. H. T. Coils against The New
York World" which had made certain charges
affecting General Collis's administration Of the
New-Ycrk City Department OF Public Works.
Mr.. PIatt did not take very kindly TO the ques-
tioning TO which he subjected by the op-
posing counsel. J. W. Girard, jr.. Of the New
York firm of Bowers & Sands. and at one stage
blurted out to his cross-questioner:
You know your queries are neither pertinent
nor proper. In fact, they are impertinent and
insulting
The Senator's testimony was taken here before
United States Commissioner Corcoran Thom be-
cause he unable to leave town to-day for
New-York. The charges made against Mr. Coils
were that he had compelled certain asphalt con-
tractors 10 take out bonds in the Fidelity and
Deposit Company OF Maryland, in which Mr
Platts sons are conspicuously interested. When
interrogated about the article on which the suit
is based Mr. PIatt said he had never read it
Thereupon the examining counsel produced it
had any relations whatever with General Coils
Asked whether he had any interests in the
Fidelity and Deposit Company he replied:
I have never had and have not now any in
terests directly or indirectly in that company,
except the indirect interest I must naturally
have on account Of my sons connection with IT,
He was asked whether he had any interest in
the contracts mentioned in the article, the latter
having alleged that the boss gets his share on
almost every contract"
NO INTEREST IN THE CONTRACTS.
The boss is presumably yourself" remarked
Mr.. Wise, and the article also declares that
the Fidelity and Deposit Company is merely
another name for Thomas c. Platt, because his
two sons are in it. How about those con-
tracts?'
Il have no interest direct or remote, in those
contracts, never knew of them and never heard
OF them until now"
Did you ever. directly or indirectly have any
correspondence with Charles H. T. Coils
garding these contracts or the sureties Of the
contractors?" asked Mr.. Wise.
Never" responded Senator Platt promptly.
This closed the direct examination and Mr.
Girard began the cross-examination.
NEw-YORK POLITICS.
Senator, what position do you occupy in
New-York politics." was the first question
asked.
4 am charged to some extent with the leader
ship Of the Republican party in New-York
State"
Did you know ex-Mayor strong?''
Slightly"
After he took Office did you ever see him re-
garding appointments
Yes"
About the appointment of Commissioner of
Public Works."
''Yes" "
Didn't you have a dispute with Mayor Strong
about the appointment OF one BrOokheld2" ,"
u protested against Brookhelds appoint
ment."
yes, I did; most ernphaticaIIy."
Mr.. Gtrard here changed his tactics and pro
ceeded TO ask the witness what corporations he
was connected with The Senator enumerated
his connections of this sort, and was then asked
If he not connected with the Cataract
Transportation Company and the Erie Trans
portation Company-the Erie Canal-and If they
did not possess valuable franchises from the
State. At this point Senator Plarr delivered the
rebuke already quoted above
REFUSES TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
Mr.. Girard was in nowise disconnected and
began TO direct all sorts Of questions TO the
Senator. Had he ever contributed TO the
penses Of candidates for the New-York Legts-
lature? Did he ever send any aid contribu-
ton TO men who were candidates for the Legis-
Iature that elected him TO the Senate? Had any
check contribution ever been returned TO
declining 10 answer them because. he said. they
were impertinent and irrelevant to the case
7 know your object in asking these ques-
tions he remarked. I know ii well you
do 1t is to put me in the position Of having
been asked them and refusing TO answer them
Has not the United States Express Company
tie exclusive privilege of carrying Government
packages?' inquired Mr.. Girard, jumping from
State 10 National affairs.
IT has not" replied the witness.
NOTHING TO SAY ABOUT RAMAPo.
Were you interested in the Ranapo com
pany?" was the next question as the jump
back was made
Il sha mt answer any questions relative TO the
Ramapo company, as they are impertinent, as
well irrelevant"
Did you ever receive any contributions TO any
campaign funds under your charge from any
corporations" continued Mr.. Girard. blandly.
What has that got TO do with General Col
lis?" counterquestiOned the Senator.
The witness was asked if he a stockhOlder
in the Barber Asphalt Company and several
other similar concerns.
7 never was; I heartily wish I had been.'
was his reply
do yOu know Mr.. Lou Payn, OF Albany"
"Of course 1 know him" replied the witness.
Every body knows him"
In response 10 a question whether Senator
Platt had used his influence at Washington in
favor Of certain envelope contract in which
Mr. Payn interested, he said that it his
custom 10 represent the interests of his people
at the National capital
At this point the inquiry having drifted hope
Iessly away from the libel case, Commissioner
Thorn declared the hearing closed