Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-19
Col. Riddles Queries


Col Biddle then proceeded to question
the Witness
Mr.. Robinson" asked Col. Biddle, won
your books show in the profit and loss
account the loss of this s530?'
Yes. yes; they ought to-"
Where are these books?"
I'm my home in Indianapolis
Witness said that Suffers name would
not appear on the books. but that he could
Identify the items by the amounts. He
said that he did not bring his books with
him because he didn't know they would be
required.
The Commissioners thereupon requested
Robinson to send them his BOOKS, ana TINS
he promised to do.
Attorney Cole: What personal interest
had you in bringing this Investigations"
Mr.. Robinson: None whatever. except
that of a citizen of the community
Witness emphatically declared his duty
as citizen was the only motive actuating
him in the matter.
You believed that Mr.. Stutler was not
administering the office OF stree. cleaning
superintendent properly, and that 1t was
your duty to bring it to the attention of
the Commissioners"
Eyes, sir
"HCw long have you possessed this De-
lief?
'About FIVE years?'
Witness said the information he had OBJ
tanned IN connection Will tHe StitCt CiSe'h-
ing department had come to him during
period of several years.
Question Somewhat Involved.
''Didn't you know as early as June 10,
1892 that Mr.. Stutler was totally unfit to
be in a public office, if he was doing what
you concluded he was doing?
That question is somewhat involved" re-
Piled the witness, and Judge Cole explain
"a 10 Iyod ha wifi WIN he did not
report the matter to the Commissioners at
the time of the alleged attempt at black
mail in 1899 To this witness replied:
I'VE had entered into contract for
large plant, and we felt that Stutler could
absolutely ruin us II he wanted to. We I'M
derstcodghe was strongly intrenched in the
confidence of Commissioner Ross, and that
IL we went to the Commissioner Stutler
would deny the charge, and he would be
sustained as against US, as we were strang-
erS.''
These same considerations, said the wit
ness, caused the firm to submit to black
mail six months later.
Then you were willing to submit to
blackmail?" asked Judge Cole.
Yes. we were willing to be blackmailed;
it didn't cost US much
Witness later said that he and Mr.. Lilly
never expected to collect the notes.
DO 1 understand you to say that from
the outset you We're willing to give Stutler
this money TO secure his faVor? asked
Judge Cole
mot at ALL" replied Robinson.
What did you mean, then?'
1--WE were willing to give him the money
to protect us from unfairness."
Then you were buying him to do his
duty?'
'"To protect ourselves" insisted the, wit
ness.
why, then, did you feel you were COM
PEELED to give up those notes, representing
money. you had given him to protect your
selves?"
1--WE understood we had been blackmailed
We gave up our money cheerfully."
Did Not Report to Mr.. Ross.
Witness said that he never went to Com
missioner Ross about the matter because
they were getting along very comfort
ably"
Are you the kind of a business man who
is willing to pay tribute OF that kind to any
MANI" asked Judge Cole.
mot willing, but compelled" said Rob
inson.
why didn't you hold that note for $3.50
III 'terrorum' over him?"
ut would have amounted to a declara
ton of war;" replied Robinson.
Finally however. out of a strong sense
Of duty to the Commissioners you preferred
the charges against Stutler?"
YES SIR
Questioning by Judge Cole failed to eluci-
date Mr.. Robinson's reasons for not bring
ing out the note matter in connection with
the charges of mal-administration preferred
by Robinson against Stutler.
At this point the Commissioners took
recess until 1870 o'clock. when the examina-
ton of Superintendent Stutler will be taken