The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-11-08
STORIES DO
NOT AGREE
MORE TESTIMONY IN OLD FORGE
INJUNCTION.
p. w. Gallagher Told of Having
Given Money to Councilmen Who
in Turn Declare They Never Re-
ceived It--Company Says it Gave
the Money to Two Churches-First
Report of the Grand Jury to the
Court-Marriage Licenses-other
Court Matters.

The case of Keogh against the Scran-
ton and Pittston Railway company was
proceeded with yesterday before Presi-
dent Judge Edwards, despite the fact
shat the court, on the previous day,
practically ruled that the plaintiffs
declaration did not assail the ordinance
which they are proceeding against.
The plaintiffs were desirous of pro-
ceeding, and the defense was not OBJ
iecting. so the taking of testimony was
allowed to continue.
The principal witness of the day was
r. w. Gallagher, formerly claim agent
for the Scranton Railway company, and
now editor of the Free Press. He was
called by the plaintiffs to prove their
contention that money was paid to Sc
cure the passage of the first ordinance.
Gala CHER told tina. he was despatched
by General Manager Silliman to Old
Forge to secure Il franchise and fur
nished with $500 in cash to work the
ordinance through councils. He gave
$500. he said to Thomas Munroc; $l50
to Thomas Stevens, and $50 to Pat
rick Gallagher, three of the four colin-
cilmcn who voted for the ordinance.
Antonio Bancardi, the fourth council
man to favor the ordinance, demanded
money, Mr.. Gallagher said, and he took
linn to the company's office to have
General Manager Silliman deal with
him. The witness understood Bian-
cardi got $25.
The four accused counclmen took
the stand and sworc positively they
never received the money Gallagher
alleges he gave them, and Biancardf
further denied that Mr.. Silliman gave
him money. He admitted that before
he became Il councilman and before
the borough was organized, he worked
seven weeks, at Mr.. Gallagher's solicit
tation. securing the signatures of prop
eerty holders along the line of the pro-
posed road. to q. paper giving the CONF
pany the right of way, which proceed
ing is necessary in townships. He re-
ceived $40 for this work. All the sig
natures could not be secured and the
company waited until the municipality
became a borough, when it went into
The council and secured the right of
way. Mr.. Biancardi became one of the
six collncilmen and was one of the four
to vote for the ordinance. He was
given a pass. but later returned it,
when Judge Gunster ruled that it was
improper for him to accept it.
The company contends that no money
was furnished Mr.. Gallagher to use in
the council, and further that Mr. CAL
lagher did not give any money to coun-
cinnen. The company agreed with the
citizens of Old Forge that if the fran
chise was granted the company would
be willing to give the community $1,000
and that after discussing various
means OF paying the bonus, so that it
would do the greatest good to the
greatest number, it was decided to
divide it between the two principal
churches. A check for $500 was sent
to one pastor, and q voucher was fur
nished Mr.. Gallagher to secure $500 III
cash and give it TO the other pastor.
The $500 check, with the pastors re-
ceipt, will be offered in evidence. II is
dated Oct. 10, 1899, the day after the
meeting at which the franchise was
granted
on cross examination. Mr.. Gallagher
was shown a copy of the Free Press
containing an article headed THE
Court Errs in the Sillinan Case in
which General Manager Silliman is
roundly scored. He was asked if he
wrote it. and admitted he did. The
paper was then offered in evidence. TO
show that the witness was not kindly
disposed towards Mr.. Silliman.
The defense in this case is practical
ly the same as will be offered in the
bribery case against General Manager
Sil!iman.