The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-03-16

and meet in the toilet room of that
place a certain man.
The business men of West scranton
had bocn asking him to vote for the
new franchise and the next night he
accordingly deserted the old company
and voted for the LaCkawanna ordin.
ance. After the meeting he went
around to the new Wyoming and went
to the toilet room as directed. lie
found waiting for him there n man
with "A dark moustache, whom he had
never seen before and whom he did
not know. This man gave him a little
parcel containing just $500 In bills of
various denominations. lie swore that
he has never seen the man since.
In December. 1899. when he was run
ming for the Republican nomination,
he was opposed by George Carson and
won out by only few votes. Ma
loncy helped him out, he said. He gave
him various sums of money. which,
with the money he received at the st.
Charles. would make a total from the
old company of about $500. This sum
and the $500 which he received at the
new Wyoming included all tho moneys
which he got while in councils, he said.
WEYLAND UNDER FIRE.
The next witness examined was ). Il.
Wayland. general manager of the
Lackawanna Telephone company. Mr..
Wcyland, general manager of the
Mr.. O'Bricn. who sat by his side, re-
fused to answer a number of ques-
tions which were asked him by Attor-
ney Torrey.
do you know of any money having
been raised tor the purpose of getting
your franchise through councils?"
II decline to answer" came the re-
ply.
"Will you give us a general idea os
the amount of money which passed
through your hands before the ordln~
ancc was finally passed."
"I refuse to answer that question" I"
said Mr. Wayland. "on the ground that
it may have a tendency to incriminate
me-"
did any money pass through your
hands to be used directly or indirectly
for the payment of councllmen? If So
how much. and to whom did you pay
it?'
Mr.. OBrien objected to this question
on the ground that it was immmaterial.
Alderman Fuller ovcrruled the obiec-
ton, and then Mr. O'Brien directed
Mr.. Weyland to refuse to answer it,.
The latter did so. giving the reason
that it might have a tendency to in
Criminate him.
Mr.. Torrcy then asked three or four
more questions along similar lines. He
wanted to know If witness had anv
knowledge of any money being used
for illegitimate purposes, or given
councilmen as a reward or Gratuity for
services rendered. Witness declined to
answer both questions. Witness didn't
know how much money had been eX-
pended by the company before the
company secured the franchise.
MAKES AN ANSWER.
lie thought about $1,000 would cover
ii. That was the sum paid over to
George Horn, the treasurer of the orig
inal company. He did not know of any
other money of the company's having
been disbursed before the passage ot
the ordinance nor after its passage.
"Well. then" said Mr.. Torrey, "was
any money disbursed by anyone con-
nected with the company, whether it
was the company's money or not, leav-
ing out of consideration the $1,000 paid
over 10 George Horn?"
Il decline to answer that question"
said Mr.. Weyland. "on the ground that
it might have a tendency to incrimin-
ate me-"
We'll, ] guess we've found the Mig
ger in the Woodpile at last" said Mr..
Torrey. "It wasn't the money of the
company that was used"
At the suggestion of the leagues at
torneys, the alderman formally direct
ed Mr.. Weyland to answer the ques-
tions which he had declined to answer.
Mr.. Weyland refused to do so, and an
information was Immediately sworn
out for his arrest. charging him with
contempt of court This was served
upon him by Special Agent Robert
Wilson, and Mr.. Weyland entered bail
in the sum Of $500, ex-Mayor w. H.
Connell qualifying as his bondSman.
The last witness examined was eX-
Councilman Charles r. Godshall. Mr.
Godshall said that he was elected a
member of the common council in the
spring of 1899 to succeed eX-Chief OF
the Fire Department John H. Walker,
who at that time was appointed chief
by Mayor Molr.
MR.. GODSHALLS EVIDENCE.
lie said, in reply TO a direct question
that he had received money while in
council in connection with the passage
of the ordinance awarding contract
for "a term of ten years to the Scran-
ton Electric Light and Heat company
He was the chairman of the light and
water committee of common council al
the time of its passage. He held the
ordinance up for Il time because he
favored the new company, which haC
put in a lower bid, but when he learned
that the new company had dropped the
plan, he voted for the contract Ordi.
nance ON third and final reading.
About four weeks after its passage
he said, he received the sum of $500 ir
an envelope from John H. Walker al
that time chief of the fire department
The money was given him by the eX.
chief at the Crystal Hose company's
hose house on Linden street, and il
giving it Walker had said it was 4
little present from the company for hi,
services.
inns sum anu I'' gov SlNtIl uIlll bN
Detective Harris, in the Rudolph, com,
plised all the money he ever received
during his service in councils lie hat
been approached to vote for the new
telephone franchise. but money haC
never been mentioned. lie had n,
positive knowledge OF any other coun
| cilmen ever having received any
money.
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