New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-13
GRIGGS TO BE COUNSEL.
ONE WITNESS At HAND.
Allied Committees Pledge Fund for
Port Chester-4Ldermen War.

With information from one important witness
in hand and more in prospect, the Merchants
Association and it's allies the commercial or
ganizs tions OF The Bronx and Westchester,
preparing 10 get down TO bedrock in the Port
Chester hold-up. whatever the committee Of
aldermen does. Having determined 30 its own
satisfaction that the aldermen can do nothing
and probably wouldn't anyhow. the committee
representing the Merchants Association has de
cided engaging ex-Attorney General John
w. Cirisgs 10 act chief counsel with James
B. Dill, their special counsel. and Francis :.
Hutchins, their attorney. The prospect for rails
ing the sum deemed necessary for the campaign
seems excellent. and the committee expects de
cisve action before long.
The directors Of the Merchants Association
met yesterday and indorsed the action OF Mr..
King in promising $1,000 for the association
toward the expenses OF the Investigation.
Favorable reports were received from Bronx
organizations as to their willingness to con-
tribute their share OF the campaign fund
We've decided to engage John W. Grggs as
chief counsel. 70 act with James B. DIN and Mr.
Hutchins." said Mr.. King. We are already IN
communication with one important witness who
viii go TO see Mr.. Gr'ggs and tell him ail he-
told us besides giving the names OF other Wit
nesses. This information VIII be put into the
form OF affidayits. So well know just where
stand as 10 legal evidence when il comes time
for US 10 prefer our charges and get the Judi
cial inquiry. our finances appear TO be coming
out all right. and we're not going To drop this
business right away"
The Merchants Association committee on
franchises and the delegates from The Bronx
associations viii be at the meeting Of the Board
OF Estimate and Apportioument this morning.
when the Controller announces how much the
rip" road Will have 20 pay the city for the
privilege of crossing the streets II tire aldermen
grant that privilege. The committees Will pro-
mate until opinion has been given by the
Corporation Counsel as to the legality OF the
Westchester roads charter.
Mr. DoulTs committee will hold it's get to-
eether' meeting this afternoon. After it has
been determined by the aldermen whether they
want their sessions TO be secret public. the
mOmentous question Of summOnng witnesses
viii come up. \ list will be prepared and prob
ably be made public As to results Mr.. Douil
is not sanguiue. lie said yesterday that As
sistant Corporation Counsel would be present to
advise the committee to it's powers
Then there is some doubt as 10 its poWers"'
asked.
We'll. it's this way" explained the chairman.
The committee will be able TO summon any al
dcrInaE or any other city official but were not
quite sure $ the extent Of our authority over
outsiders"
Theodore Connoly Assistant Corporation
Counsel ia charge of the Law Department, when
asked if the committee had any power at all,
but there is no law you can put your finger on
which gives them specific power
The taking Of testimony in the aldermens In
vestigation Mr.. Doull thinks. viii begin on Mon
day This however. will be settled definitely
when the committee meets this afternoon.
William G. Gotshall. president of the Por:
Chester ROAD, left town yesterday. to be gone
until Tuesday.