New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-11
PREPARE THE WHlTEWASH
Continued from first page.

city according to his notions. Everybody at
tacks us, but nobody ever proves anything.
President GotshaI of the Port Chester road
was accused of making a statement TO one of
the newspapers-a paper supposed 10 be con-
nected with the Port Chester road, whose largest
stakeholder is supposed to be financially inter-
ested in the Port Chester, also in of the
contractors behind the Port Chester-but Presi-
dent Gotshall denies he made the statements
printed in The Tribune. L think the appoint
ment of this investigating committee will stop
these alleged rumors. Let's get right down
to the reporters who write this stuff. and see
where they set their information"
Then jumped up Mr.. wirth OF Brooklyn. who
declared that this whole investigation by
committee of aldermen would be like another
i'm which he had taken part, when Super
ntendent of Buildings, examined In case con-
corning improper material in a skyscraper. had
deliberately left the room. ut would be like
firing a rubber ball from a cannon" said he
This committee would have power to COM
pei witnesses to attend answer questions.
move that the resolution be amended by adding
and the District Attorney and the grand jury be
asked to act with the committee"
THOUGHT 1T LOOKED PECULIAR
Alderman James thought the election Of
committee by the men to be investigated would
look peculiar. so he urged that to the president
be given power to appoint a committee. He
suggested from his side of the house Messrs
James, sickles. Odell. Robinson, Meyers and
Davies.
General sickles said that after all It was the
boards own fault that the charges had been
made It's best reply, he thought. would be to
act on the Port Chester application.
Alderman Goodman held that no "whitewash-
ing" would be possible. The District Attorney
would not wait for invitation to look into
the bribery STORIES he felt sure.
Mr.. Wafer took another tack He didn't know
why there should be any committee or any in
vestigation He knew OF no charges, save those
made by reporters with wheels in their heads
writing for scurrilous yellow Journals" Every
member should vote against the resolution. he
said and. anyway. this committee would have
power.
Alderman Gass OF The Bronx. declared he
was deeply panied at the suggestions that he
one of the Railroad Committee. had helped
hold up a benefit to his district He felt that
the application Of each road was made I'm good
faith. but had supported the Westchester be-
cause 1t would benefit all OF his district, while
the Port Chester would reach only portion OF
his territory
Mr. Doull declared that the work OF the COM
mittee which he named would in no sense
be a whtewash. No man. however high whose
tee had not enough power. It would go to a ju-
dicial tribunal for more.
Mr. Mccall thought the idea OF getting the
District Attorney and the grand Jury into the in
vestigation would be very funny" It would
be. he said. showing the world that the alder
men didn't believe themselves honest; II would
be saying. The District Attorney IS the only
man we can trust" The resolution must be
passed he offered it. he maintained, TO show
hol
and knew they'd get an honest investigation.
In the voting Mr.. Wrth's amendment was de-
cisively killed
President Gotshall sent to President Fornes
Of the board a letter in which he said specih-
cally that at no time since his roads applica-
tion had any alderman or representative of the
board asked Of him Information concerning the
roads financial responsibility. However in
answer to charges which had been circulated, he
wanted TO inclose a statement made by a COM
mission to Justice Keogh. This. signed by
Dallas b. Pratt and George r. Read. and made
part OF a decision by Justice Keogh, said that
entirely satisfactory evidences OF the roads
financial standing and good faith had been
givea The letter referred TO the Railroad
Committee
j. Horace Harding OF Charles d. Barney &
Co. said: The statement that myself or any
body else connected with the New-York and
Port Chester Railroad has any time tried
10 sell or dispose of anything relating to the
New-fork and Port Chester Railroad or any
or It's rights, charters or interests whatsoever,
or OF any stock is absolutely untrue"
"All the comment have to make" said Will
lam +. King. chairman of the committee on
franchises and transportation OF the Merchants
Association when asked about the action OF
the Board OF Aldermen. lis contained in the
call for the meeting TO be held at this office
tomorrow. II decided yesterday that If
the Board Of Aldermen failed TO take definite
action on the Port Chester franchise its ses-
TODAY. committee
would come together on Wednesday at II o'clock
TO formulate such plans as will demonstrate 10
the Board Of Aldermen that the wishes OF the
taxpayers Of this city cannot be ignored with
out explanation. At the meeting plans will
also be adopted for the raising of the necessary
funds to retain counsel and conduct active
campaign. 1t will soon be determined whether
the Board of Aldermen has right to hold up
any subject properly presented to ii, par
ticularly if that subject Is Endorsed by a large
body Of citizens, is the case in the present
Port Chester nnnliCation"