New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-01
ADMITTED UNDER OATH.

The Tribune on Wednesday morning printed
a dispatch from Buffalo giving the story OF the
connection of John R Hazel as an intermediary
with the sale 70 the Government 1T the out
break Of the war with Spain Of the yacht En-
qu.-er. owned by ". ]. Conners. proprietor OF
The Buffalo Courier Letters were produced
TO show that Mr.. Hazel received $1,000 commits
sion for his part in the transaction. and when
these were shown TO Mr.. PIatt's Federal Judge
ship nominee by a reporter OF The Buffalo Ex-
press he refused either 10 affirm or 10 deny
the accuracy OF the statements contained IN
them These same letters indicated that Mr..
Hazel had previously denied that he had told
ex-Congressman Rowland b Mahany that he
received $4,000 for his services IN negotiating
the sale Of Mr.. Conners's boat
The Tribune this morning is able 70 produce
a transcript Of a court record which shows that
before Justice Leonard a Giegerich and Jury,
Mr.. Hazel under OATH admitted that he re-
ceived the fee named
Samuel Holmes a ship broker. brought suit
against William J. Conners. the proprietor OF
The Buffalo Courier 10 collect a commission
for bringing about the sale OF the yacht En-
quirer 70 the Government during the Spanish
American War. The defence was that the sale
had been brought about by John R. Hazel and
not by the plaintiff. Here are some extracts
from stenographic report OF the evidence as IL
was given or February last:
John r Hazel. witness called on behalf OF de-
fendant being duly sworn and examined, testified
as follows
c-About the 1st OF April. 1888. dd ysu have
conversation with Mr. Conners about the En-
guirer? Al did
o-were YOU employed by Mr. Conner. TO sell
that boat 10 the Government about the 1st OF
April. 1882 A--Yes. sir
Q-State what you did with reference 20 pre-
senting this vessel the Government for pur-
chase. A-As the result OF the employment com
nunicated with some friends in Washington. and
was hidden 10 come 10 washington
Q-Tou went Washington Al went TO
Washington. and I also went 70 New-YOrk. and
on the Sd day OF Apris obtained a letter OF in
PRODUCTION 10 Captain Rodgers. then
chairman OF This Auxiliary Board. and presented
it 10 Captain Rodgers and stated 70 him that ny
mission was 70 dispose OF the Enquirer. a steam
yacht that was then at Buffalo, \ Y. There were
present in the room ar the time Mr.. Sargent who
I understood the secretary OF the Board az
the time and Mr.. Patch and Commander Kelley
The captain said he feared the boat was not heavy
some questions n relation 10 the boat that
couldn't answer bur I said 7 would communicate
with the proprietor b. wire communicated win
Mr.. Conners by wire.
SHOULD BE HEAVY"
Q-Hava you got that teegrame A--Yes sir.
CWfrness hands counsel paperl
Q-NOw- you may read IT. A-"New-York- April
/. 1s9s-WtlIian J. Couners. care Enquirer, Buff
faIo. y Y: Wire II she IS light or heavy.
Should be heavy. What about framework-Iisht or
heavyo Another meeting tomorrow
Q-On April . you sent him that dispatch that
now you2 (handing witness paperl- A.
Yes, sir, April I sent him thar dispatch
Q.-Just read IL. please Anew York. April s.
William j. Conners. care Enquirer. Buffalo.
y. Y: Wire on receipt OF this line displacement
draught if boilers are below water. Line Board
says she does not carry enough coal for torpedo
purposes but refers to the Mosquito Fleet
That dispatch was sent pursuant TO the second
interview with the Board and either Captain
Rodgers or Comnandant Kelley directed ne; told
me she wasn't heavy enough for torpedo purposes;
but there was some talk at that time about the
Mosquito Fleet. and that she would make very
good boat for that purpose. and that should go
over 10 the Brooklyn Navy Yard 70 Admiral
7 forget his nane--I think he IS dead now
Q--COmmander Elmer A--Yes. strand that
he would know whether she could be purchased
I did go over 10 see Admiral Elmer. and had a
talk with the subject OF the purchase or the
ENQUIRER and he said he had heard about the En-
quirer and he thought that she would be suitable
for mosquito purposes. or for the purpose OK
patroIIing the harbor but thar he had tnsJruc-
tions from the Washington authorities 10 purchase
or 10 inspect. 1 also left copy or the description
OF the Enquirer with him and he was 20 COM
rnunicate with me II he did obtain Instructions
from Washington. On that day the day before
I also wrote 70 Mr.. Conners the letter which I
hold in my hand 10 further explain the dispatches.
In connection with this first interview that 7 had
with the Board. Commander Patch was present
and said he knew the Enquirer.
Q--Now. read the letter A--'New-Yor1 with
out datel Ny Dear Jim I managed 10 obtain
from Commander Dickey. wHo is a personal friend
Of mine. : letter 70 Captain Rodgers. and through
the tnstrunentary OF the secretary OF th.s Harbcr
Board obtained sron MIN audience. out IN
fortunately the Board ready 70 go ou-
spection- and had further opportunity 70 ex-
plain the merits Of the boat than read what you
gave l had prepared a typswritten description
or The boat The frst question was Where Is the
boatr 1 said in Buffalo We cant use her there
I can bring her here n FIVE days Is she light
or heavy I SAID LIGHT. ASsC~ THAT IS
WHERE PUT MY FOOT IN IT. Lieutenant Sar-
gent. the secretary OF the Board. said We want a
heavy boat Well | said. ] really don't KNOW
Y the seame is light heavy. / VIII wire and aad
OUT All right he said come in tomorrow morn
ing have concluded TO see IL through here: at
least viii not 20 Washington until to-rnorrow's
session have letters from United States Shipping
Commissioner and United States Collector OF Gus
toms. Alexander wired me yesterday 10 obtain
PLATTs CHLORIDES IS q concentrated uouta