Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-09-30

NitntsseS tneIe mas Decn some very
interesting testimony forthcoming,
with some still more interesting yet to
be produced
AS previously stated l.. H. Gray and
Frank w, Beane are the attorneys for
the protestants. For the other side
are Maj. Bird of the Utah Fuel COM
pany and Atty. NJ r. Braffett as coun-
sci.
Two Of the most important witnesses
to date have been w. A. Robertson.
formerly bookkeeper for the Pleasant
valley Coal company for 10 years, and
less willing witness in the person OF
Robert Forester, geologlst for the
Utah Fuel company.
ALL EXPENSES PAID.
Robertson yesterday and Monday
testified that It was the custom OF the
oilieers of the Pleasant Valley Coal
company In the past to induce individ-
uals to take up coal lands quietly in
their name and for mere considera-
ton transfer them to the coal COM
pany every cent Of the incidental filing,
legal and other expense being borne
from the first by the coal company,
GEoLOGIsT IS IN IT.
MI FORESTER rather reluctantly ad.
mitted under cross-examination that
he had paid all the expenses Of certain
parties who had filed upon coal lands,
Filing fees, acreage and everything he
mad paid. He stated that Mr. Orange
seeley Of Castle Dale brought men to
MIN, and II Seeley said they were all
right he fixed things up. lie testified
that he did this in the usual way Of
business ana although he advanced
money upon seeley's say so he expected
that the parties would ultimately ray
MIN back. He afiremd that he did this
on his own personal undertaking and
would not admit that he was doing II
for the coal company.
Other testimony was brought by r,
IT, sleater Of the Century Printing com
pany; w. O. McCloin, engineer in the
Mccormick block; Rose Toronto. a s en-
ogfapher; Frank Rumel of McCornick's
bank Louis Il. Kahn of the Rash Pro-
duce company, Fred Wach of Murray;
H. T. Vincent, Mary Ann Vincent, his
wife, and Phyllis Vincent. his daueb-
ter and Others to the effect that they
We're approached by certain parties and
some Of them taken down to the office
OF Maj. Bird, where they signed certain
papers and filed on lands they had not
seen, most Of them received the sim
of $50 for their services. None of Thorn
paid a cent out for filing rees or Incl.
dental expenses and there the matter
ended.
NEARLY CAME TO BLOWS.
1t was during the examination OF
the witness w. A. Robertson yesterday
afternoon that very exciting scene
happened that looked for moment as
though there would be free -for-al
fight In progress in the contest room in
early progress.
Attorney M p, Braffett handled the
witness in decidedly rough manner
ON cross-examination and made some
remarks as to his moral record or lack
of 1t, and Incidentally wound up by
asking whether or not II was the truth
that witness was addicted TO drink.
Robertson at first was inclined to get
up and argue the question physically
but finally retofted to the effect that he
had noticed Maj. Bird and Braffett fire.
quent Hogle's saloon quite as often
as the rest Of the patrons. At this the
outraged major Jumped to his feet ana
threw back his coat, Some OF the peo
pie In the contest room thought he was
reaching for gun and while every.
body talked at once there was some
shuftling Of chairs. The incident
closed, however, with an even score for
both sides.
WILLIAMS DECLINES.
Following the testimony Of Robertson.
TO the effect that there was a record
Kept by the Utah Fuel company Of all
transactions covering the acquisition of
lands and that there were books and
vouchers showing just who were en-
ployed for this branch of the business.
the amount Of their remuneration and
other matters connected with the work.
II. g, Williams, general manager of
the Utah Fuel company, was sub.
poenaed TO appear Upon his coming
in response and being ordered to pro-
duce the books he affirmed that such
a thing was impossible for the reason
that the books were not in his depart
ment and he had no control over them.
MUST PRODUCE BOOKS.
He was allowed to go after few
more questions were asked that were
productive Of non-committal answers
and subpoena was issued ordering
John f, Evans, auditor for the COM
pany, to appear on oct. ? with the
necessary records. Then the case went
over to that date.
The case which is now being heard is
that of T., J. Dalr VS. o. /, Davies. The
subsequent four cases In the order pre-
viously outlined are being brought pre-
sumably by the Utah Fuel company in
to contest by way Of retaliation on their
part for the foregoing seven contests.
MAY BE WORTH MILLIONS.
While the value placed upon the land