Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-10

and ara sent there to be posted"
docs your auditor or bookkeeper there
ever see your books here?"
mo, sir"
Then how can he audit the accounts OF
your company unless he has access to all
your books and records-without access to
your sundrles sales ledger, for example?"
Attorney Pritchett objected to this ques-
ton and President Karr sustained the OBJ
lection.
Have you the company's bank book
here7"
Eyes, sir"
You may produce It,"
This was objected to ana a half hour
was spent in arguing the point. The OBJ
lection was finally overruled. Several items
were read from the book, one Of which was
a single deposit of 1914, 900, made in No
vember, 1901. 1t was afterward arranged
that Mr.. Clabaugh should get a sworn
statement from the cashier showing the
company's balance in the bank November
Is, 1901. At IL o'clock a recess of two
hours was taken.
Doesn't Know Cost of Gas.
The afternoon hearing opened at 2:2o,
with Secretary Clabaugh on the stand.
What was the cost Of the manufacture
Of gas per 1000 feet per month during
1902 2" asked Attorney Mcintosh.
81 don't know" answered the witness.
Doesn't the company keep any data on
that subject?"
Attorney Pritchett objected to this ques-
ton, President Karr sustained the objec-
ton and zimman appealed from the ruling.
S'"T call for a suspension Of the rules
said he, land demand to have the ques-
tion put to a vote"
Hascall suggested that the board go into
executive session instead.
Zimman objected to going into executive
session. ~ shall probably make a num-
Der Of other objections to the chairs rul-
ings during the afternoon" said he, "and
II we retire to the committee room every
time we won't have much time left for the
transaction of business"
Meanwhile Hascall, who stood close to
Zimman, was speaking in support of his
motion to retire and the chair was rap
ping for order. The situation was becom-
ing strained.
"wil you sit down and be quiet?" ex-
claimed Hascall.
Zimman wiped his face with his hand
kerchief and retorted: IT'S for you to
keep quiet, you-you audible atomizer."
The chair shouted for order and an
nounced that the question would be settled
by q rising vote.
"All in favor Of permitting this question
to be answered" said he, will please rise"
Five to Four, as Usual.
zimman, Hoye, Lobeck and Burnley stood
up.
All opposed to it's being answered will
RISE"
Hascall, Karr, T~rostler, Whitehorn and
Mount arose to their feet.
1.-THE question will not be answered" an
nounced the chair.
'Is 1t true that the common stock OF the
company controls the company" was the
next question.
This was objected to and the objection
was sustained. Mr.. Mcintosh said:
I'VE have a property here that is worth
a little for purposes of taxation, not very
much, but we want to get at what that
amount is. When the city comes to buy
It, as 1t will some day, 1t will be worth
more, and then well have less trouble In
getting at the values. Now, the common
stock controls the election OF officers. the
personnel Of the directory, the salaries OF
officers and nearly all other functions OF the
company, and IL this is true. II must fol-
low that the stock has value. 1 think the
!, question is material and pertinent"
The chair persisted in its ruling. Mr..
Mcintosh took exceptions.
Can you tell anything about the cost OF
the manufacture Of gas in 1902"
II cannot"
Have you no information whatever in
that connection"
None"
, who does know, IL anyone3"
Hascall objected to this question and the
! objection was overruled.
well, the comptroller of the company In
Philadelphia knows"
us there anyone in Omaha who knows ?"
II don't know"
some Reorganization Figures.
The examination again reverted to the
circumstances attending the reorganization
OF the company. 1t was shown that in Au-
gust, 1897, the gas company bought the
present plant. paying for It 81, 700. 900 in 5
per cent semi-snnual interest-bearing
bonds, 1880. 900 in fully paid up and non
> assessable preferred stock and 81, 1900 900 in
fully paid up and on-assessable common
stock, and assumed a bonded indebtedness
!, then on the property Of $500. 600.
Isaac Battin, treasurer OF the gas COM
pany, was the next witness on the stand.
. He said he knew nothing OF the money
, paid out for the Improvement Of the COM
pany's plant. since he exercised no au-
thority over this department.
J Does your company keep any record OF
money invested in this way"
Objected to and objection sustained.
Addressing the chair. Mr.. Mcintosh said
: "Can II be this board thinks that this com
pany Is so keen to disclose the secrets OF
It's management that the board must in
tereede to prevent such disclosure: The
. province OF this board Is 10 get at the
facts, yet, judging from the way I've been