New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-26
LlWSON AGAINST ROGERS.
Boston Mans Testimony Ercites In
tereSt IN Gas Case.

Boston. March 15-As a witness IN the Boston
gas consolidation case here to-day. Thomas W
Lawson told OF his connection with gas AFFAIRS In
this city. and his testimony excited much interest
In many respects his statements differed from
those made by previous witnesses in the trial now in
progress and DE fatty contradicted evidence given
lv u H Rogers OF New-York. and Robert WInsor
gf the firm Of KiJder. Peabody & Co, ~ Boston.
concerning payments said 20 have been made %
Mr.. LAWSON in connection with the consolidation
nrr Lawson said that he had received large sums
Of money from Mr. Rogers. not on account Of gas
transactions but account % copper investments
NIr Lawson told Of a proposition made . Mr..
Rogers Whereby Mr. Lawson was % receive 81
O-1Ooo in connection with the gas combination and
his ultimate decision accept % per OF the
profits. he also described in detail how, as he
said. j. Edward AddIcks. % the Bay State Gas
Company CT Delaware. had 'tricked" him out OF
the control Of that company. In the afternoon Nj
I-awSOu's examination was suspended. that the
testimony II Alvin W. Krech. formerly vicc-uresi-
dent Of the Mercantile Trust Company of New
York. might bee admitted. Just before adjourn
meut AR Lawson again resumed the stand and re-
viewed more in detail some Of his earlier tes;i-
rro-y
The sudden change III plan OF Gr Whinplo IN
calling Mr lawson as a witness just before ad-
51urumeut yesterday had the effect q filling the
courtroom with spectators to-day. Mr.. Whrple
had said "Wednesday that he did not expect 20
call SIR lawson. When asked to-day why he
changed his decision. his reply was: We might
as wei throw things wide open
Much Of the early testimony OF Mr.. lawson to-
. dav was corrcborative statements made by H. II.
+ Rogers as a witness. Mr. Lawson said that he was
interested In the Boston gas companies and that he
conducted an tho negotiations with Mr. Rogers for
settlement q the suit brought in 1895 20 prevent
reorEauization % rho New-Eugland Gas and Coke
COMPANY
IT. LAWSON said that he had many conversa-
t0re with .Ir. Rogers and w l. Elk.ns. as 20 the
proposition 20 consolidate the Boston gas COM
pari.s and the New England Gas and Coke Com
pauy Mr. lawson said Mr.. Rogers had wanted
him 70 consent 10 the plan. because the latter had
promised Mr. lkirs and his associates TO help them
f through. Mr. Rogers had said that ne would guar
autca that the Bay State Company Of Delaware in
terosts would be- protected. Mr.. Lawson said that
at one time he had complained 10 Mr. Rogers about
reports current which he said were started by Mr.
WiusCr. Of Niddcr. Peabody e Co. that Mr. Rogers
had received 100000 and Mr. Lawson 100000 for
Withdrawing opposition 70 the New England Gas
and Coke reorganization plan Mr.. Lawson said
that Mr Rogers Informed him that he had done Mr..
Lawson great injustice IN getting him 10 withdraw
his opposition.
AR Lawson described his connection with the
Boston Gas consolidation. lie said that at Mr.
Rugcrs's suggestion he selected Kidlcr. Peabody &
Co 10 carry through a consolidation Of certain
mining companies 20 advance the proposed gas
combination. Later be wrote Mr.. Rogers that nc
had spent between S5loCJO and 10000 without re-
turn. and suggested two plans for cooperation IN
/ The consolidation
zone million 20 me-" said Mr Lawson. ''or one
. ULe oro-haE millions both Of us-that is $500
90 cach-,ut you age TO allow me the one and one
half millions for something / am now already FOR
4 ana which I VIII guarantee against loss 10 the ey-
ten. Of your $4,000. and which believe viii double
the ore and one-half millions within ninety days
Nj Rogers had telephoned his answer he said
which was "Al right. IL you viii allow me 10
work out the details" Later. however il was ar
ranged that Mr.. Lawson should have 10 per cent 81
. The profits ~ tne reorganization. Mr. Lawson said
the Delaware Gas equities Tor the new company "a
. some way that would be- satisfactory 20 Kidder
+ Peabody & Co. and that would avoid litigation II
/ that coul- rot be- done. ne was 10 be given the
/ commission Of purchasing tho stock Of the Della
4 ware company for the consolidated company.
Mr.. Rogers told me- continued Mr. Lawson.
thaf - MS rrressar, i'm rbeir MIN - f--or1o-1,
on the stocks Of the Boston companies. that must
DO am I'M nv power 20 ~rfrain from iuferferirp ~
! ~ these stocks. and 90 DO what I could with the
stockholders OF the Delaware company"
Mr Lawson said that at Providence. IN 1902 he
made an agreement with J. Edward Addicks 10 pur-
chase -51p"o shares OF the stock OF Bay State
+ trade. 'AftCrSard.F said Mr.. Lawson I found
out that when Mr. Addicks called his directors to-
f Eetner they passed "a vote issuing 10000 shares OF
. stock" Mr. Lawson declared that the SO O0o draft
/ 20 which M Rogers referred in his testimony as
/ biuation due Mr. Lawson. was made in connection
With q Ioope: transaction, and had nothing TO do
with gas matters ia any shape. manner form
/ Whatsoever. directly OF indirectly"
Did you ever receive a check for 10cO in part
7 never heard OF Il until tho arst day OF the
hearing was The reply This also contradicts Mr.
Did Rogers ever tell you that he received :75.OOr
/ on your account"
ON tho contrary. lie always asserted 20 mo that
he had never got dollar from the gas matter"
BUSINESS FAILURES