The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-15
MOTIFS ALLEGED SCHEME
WHY HE WANTED A RECEIVER FOR
THE CONSUMERS COMPANY.
Edward Kirkpatrick Says Mott Ex-
pected to Be the Receiver-High
Salaries for a Few.

The testimony OF Edward kirkpatrick
before the Council investigating committee
last night on the Consumers Gas Trust
Company question exploded a few of the
statements made by Sherman Mott and his
partner Mr.. Kingston before the committee
last Wednesday evening.
Mr.. Mott had claimed that Mr.. Kirk
patrick told him the Consumers Company
was doing business with other gas COM
panies. Mr.. kirkpatrick first said he knew
nothing about any story to the effect that
the Consumers Gas Trust Company was
piping gas to Chicago or selling gas to
any other company or city. Mr.. Billingsley
then led up 10 the testimony given by Mott
and Mr.. Kirkpatrick was asked what he
could tell the committee regarding the
statements Mott had made.
II didn't give Mott any information"
said Mr.. kirkpatrick. but he gave me a
lot of information. He wanted me TO 80
IN with him and to use my experience in
the gas business TO help throw the Con-
sumers' Gas Trust Company into the hands
OF a receiver. Yes, he had the thing all
planned out, he said. / have known Mott
for some time and met him last October in
Mr.. Shackleton's office at rhe gas COM
pany's building. He asked me to step to
the door with him as he wanted TO talk
with me- After we had closed the door and
stood on the street Mott said he wanted
TO talk with me but could not say anything
there He invited me to call at his office
which / did.
MOTIFS ALLEGED STAT .MENTS.
when I saw him at the office. Mr.. King
ston. his partner. was also there. He tried
to show me that the organization of the
Consumers Company was not regular and
that nothing had been done by the compan
lawfully. He said he had a plan whereby
he could throw the company into the hands
of a receiver and that he might be APP
pointed the receiver. He then said that
the surplus earnings OF the company, which
he claimed were would be used
to pay high salaries to a few, and If /
went into the scheme with him / was to get
q large salary. He said he had already been
able to get a resolution into the Council.
which he claimed he drafted, and the plan
was well laid for HIS scheme. / told him
i wanted nothing to do with It. He talked
about me going TO see Dir. Lyman and Mr..
Shackleton and telling the men that they
needed a good attorney, and Mr.. Kingston
spoke up and said to tell them to have
two attorneys Mr.. Mott also told me that
IL would be an easy matter to hold the gas
. company up"
Mr.. Kirkpatrick was asked IL, I'm his opiu-
ion. the Consumers Gas Company was fur
nishing all the gas at its command, and he
replied in the affirmative. He said he did
not believe there was a better gas plant in
the United States han the Consumers
Company. Mr.. Kirkpatrick offered the in
formation that gauges placed about every
six blocks would indicate the amount OF
gas the consumers were receiving. Mr..
Mott was not present last night
Jasper y. Clary was also a witness. He
claimed that Clary's stock was seized by
the gas company. Clary said he went 10
the gas office and paid for his stoc-. Mr.
Shackleton admitted that he bought The
stock. as one OF the clerks came TO his Of
fee and said a man wanted To sell four
shares Of the stock at $#o. and that amount
was paid to Clary- The directors of the
company. who were not examined at the
last meeting, testified that they owned nc
stock in any other gas company.