The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-10
~CounciImen Have Not Yet, Appa-
rently, Mastered All the Details
of the Business.
BEMENT LYMAN ON THE STAND
SHERMAN MOTT, THE ATTORNEY,
OWNS ONE SHARE OF STOCK.
He Could Not Make His Information
Public, rs 1t Would Ahec q
Clients Interests.

The time fuse on the bomb that was
scheduled to be exploded at the open meet
ing last night of the Council committee in
vestigating the Consumers Gas Trust Com
pany did not take effect until just before
the close of the meeting. Up to that time
the proceedings were very wearisome, and
it was thought nothing would develop to
throw calcium rays on the workings Of the
company for the benefit of the committee.
After the witnesses present had been ex-
amined and questioned over and over again
Mr.. Perrott, of the committee, asked Will
liam Patterson to make a statement. Mr..
Patterson Immediately jumped to the point
he wanted brought out. and began a TRADE
against the company, charging that there
was crokedness somewhere. He said the
officers, directors and trustees Of the COM
pany might be honest. but it was the duty
Of the committee to have published all the
reports of the company and show the peo-
pie where all the immense earnings of the
company have gone. He said there was a
man in the wood pile" some place, and he
should be brought to light, as the commu-
nifty demanded it.
Bement Lyman, secretary of the Consum-
ers' Gas Company, was called to the wit
ness stand so often that he wore a path
from his seat to the chair before the COM
mittee, and all of his evidence combined
furnished the committee with no tangible
evidence or information on which to show
that the company was not acting in good
faith with the people. Mr.. Lyman, H. II.
Hanna, Frederick Fahnley, Evan Lilly.
IAH, IL ITA11f1oxv o-l NJ ly44.a1 1t-aat4.C
and trustees of the company. were all
called to the stand and asked if they owned
stock in n other gas company, II the
Consumers company sold gas to any other
company or city or If the company did
business in any other city. They all an
swered in the negative.
WERE RIGHT ACTIVE.
Mr.. Perrott. Mr.. Billingsley and Mr.. Mo-
Rarity, of the committee, Intercepted the
witnesses. Chairman Keller suggested a
few questions to the others and Council
man Munro was heard when he seconded a
motion to adjourn.
II. III. Hanna said the gas pipe line to the
Atlas engine works is connected with the
Consumers c%ompany's lines. but that the
engine works does not use gas during the
winter months. Sherman Mott, a local at
torney, was called TO the stand. He said
~ OA0 Ght vi SUM III lhC GOIn-
pany, which came into his possession last
December. The stock was originally worth
$3.50, and So per cent. of it has been paid
by the company. Mr.. Lyman said the
stock was now worth $40. Mott said he
had called at the c~ompany's office TO in
spect the stock books, but had been re-
fused permission to see the books. A few
lays ago he had received a telephone mes
sage from Mr.. Lyman saying he could ex-
anime the stock books, but had not vet
taken advantage of the invitation. Mr..
Mott was asked what information he could
give the committee. He said he had been
employed as attorney for some interested
parties. and the information he has is con-
idential and 1t would not be right to give
1T publicity, as the gas company may be
defendant in a suit in court and he could
not give the officers of the COMPANY the
he has.
Mott said he knew of the resolution
which provided for the Investigation be-
fore 1t was introduced in the council. He
told or many rumors he had heard about
the consumers company and the Indian
apolis company preparing to join forces.
MIR. Bilingsley asked Mr.. Mott if he pur-
chased his one share of stock or secured
II as a fee, but Mr.. Mott declined to answer
the question. He was also asked If he Sc
cured his concerning the Con-
sumers' company from Edward Kirkpat-
Gas Company and he refused to answer.
Mott was asked IL he could give the COM
mittee any tangible Information that would
how that the directors and trustees of
the Consumers company are not acting
in good faith with the public. He said he
believed the Consumers company intended
at some time to pursue the same policy
as the Indianapolis Gas Company. He
said he heard that the representatives of
the Dietrich syndicate and Mr.. Murdoch,
Of Lafayette, have been trying to secure
possession of stock of the Consumers COM
pany.
Mi. LYMAN AGAIN.
Mr.. Lyman was again called and he
said the share of stock possessed at this
&f.0 hv Ar Ma -. $1,000 ~.-- d. IL
by J.. Guettal. He said the company has
not the funds to pay off it's debts as all
funds are used to increase the supply of
gas.
"Have any persons living in tenement
houses come to you and turned in their
mixers and then have you refused to con-
meet gasp asked Mr.. Moriarity in his char
acteristic manner.
Mr.. Lyman answered that the company
has refused to make many gas connec-
tions. AS Mr.. Lyman left the stand Mr..
Mott asked permission to ask him a ques-
ton. Mr.. Lyman said he would answer
questions from the committee. Mr.. Per-
rott said TO Mr.. Mott:
your question might be leading and it
might affect your law suit in court
William n. Kingston, a partner of Mr..
Mott, was called and told of how he and
his partner had made deductions showing
pay its outstanding stock. He said Jasper
N. Clary told him that he went to the COM
pany's office with his stock and the officers
of the company seized his stock and paid
him for il against his will. He gay other
stories claiming the Consumers company
against people In furnishing
gas.
Mr.. Lyman again took the stand and said
the company furnished gas TO certain build
ings for heating purposes. He said the
restrictions made by the company were
against furnishing gas for power and not
for heating purposes.
The committee will go to the gas pumping
stations tomorrow and may hold a meet
ing IN its return. The committee will sub
poena Mr.. Kirkpatrick.
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