New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-11

dents Definite information Mr.. Olyphant did not
supply and he was presently dismissed.
vice-Presdent Granniss. who testified early IN
the inquiry, then took the stand. He discussed ths
various campaign contributions, those of 1900 ane
1896 well that OF last year, and he indicated
that President McCurdy must have known about
these contributions and authorized the $500 gift
to the Republican Congressional Committee last
year. Just what character the authorization took
Mr.. Granniss did not know but he testified that
-'he knew his views
I'VE were menaoed by the free silver theory.
he said. by way of explanation of the campaign
contribution of last year.
That's news to me-" said Mr.. Hughes. But the
size of your contribution 81 O0 did it denote tbs
remoteness of the danger?"
You mean to imply that if the danger was
greater the contribution would have been larger.
Well, that's q matter of taste" was the rather
angry retort.
BY this time Mr. Granniss was Enthusiastically dis
pleased at the questions asked. and presently he
showed his anger more clearly. He reviewed the
often repeated statements that contributions were
because of the danger the free silver heresy car
ried for policyholders' money and defended them
He ventured a guess that the contribution to the
Republican National Committee last year was
$4,000 This turned out bad guess, as DR.. Gil
lette later declared the amount was twice that
Mr. Granniss could recall discussion as to the
proprtety of this contribution. He In the dark
about the legislative activities of A L. Short and
A. c. Fields Then Mr.. Hughes turned to him
The vouchers for the various $4,000 payments One
of these bore the "Granniss" Mr.. Granniss 8
memory failed him entirely about the details of
these vouchers; he was confident moment later.
however, that he had met Andrew Hamilton
and never heard Of IS 900 contribution to cam
paign fund in Washington State. His memory
turned bad again on the question of Mr.. Thummel.
the lieutenant OF Judge Hamilton
MR. GRANNIss ANGERED.
"Do you recall any case within the last FIVE years
in which It has been necessary for your company
to give attention to legislation In any particular
Slater Mr.. Hughes inquired
mo particular case"
your mind is entirely blank on that subjeot?''
This angsred Mr.. Granniss. who retorted hody:
mot entirely blank.
VIII you kindly state what there may be in it7'
'In my mind?' queried Mr.. Granniss, still more
indignant at the general laugh.
Yes pursued Mr.. Hughes blandly.
"Out of respect to you will not mention
the heated answer.
Mr.. Granniss was shortly modified and explained
that he had probably given proper instructions to
Mr. Thunnel or or Mr.. Short had. about legislative
activity. This revealed the fact that Short and
ThummeI could draw money. Details about the
amounts drawn he could not supply, neither could
Mr.. Short, because Short was dead. he. explained,
and he had no solution to offer.
Dr. Gillette then took the stand ard testified that
he was vice-president OF the Mutual The famous
contract with Raymond Co, which Melted The
baud President McCurdy's son-in-law. $4,000 last
year was reviewed. DR.. Gillette thought but
contract Later the president disolaimed his share
In it. On the subject OF the $4,000 legal expenses,
DR.. Gillette ventured to affirm he had talked the
subject over with the two previous witnesses The
vouchers for the 100000 of this sum belonging to
last years expenses. Mr.. Gillette thought might
have been held by a. I. Short now dead.
Then came the subject of the campaign contribu-
lions. DR.. Gillette fixed that TO the Republican
National Committee last at $4,000 and he ex-
planned that the contributions recorded in the
books of the society in each case when they were
made as illegal expenses.
In 1900 DIR. Gillette thought, the Mutual contrib
uted sS5 goo the Republican National Committee,
and in 1896 $4,000. This he thought. the first
year a contribution had been made For all con-
tributions he had the same reasons. Even in the
Parker case he thought it the duty Of the
Mutual to assist in the effort to scotch the Bryan
heresy Mr. Granniss. DR.. Gillette declared. must
have known about the contribution last year.
Then Mr.. Hughes sought to find the amount paid
for legal expenses in past years. but DR.. Gillette
explained that he had held the late A I. Short
sponsible for those expenses The famous Texas
commission rate with DR.. Ginette's brother, Of
Chamberlain & Gillette. was touched on. but moth
ing definite learned
The mysterious activities Of A G. Fields, whose
name has been mentioned in connection with legs-
lative work. were then gTobod. Apparently Fields
received sas OF as s nssa OF 5ne
this department. for some time Examination of
the contracts for stationery supplies showed that
the larger proportion with Lawrence, who has
an office in the basement OF the Mutual Building
connecting with E1eldss Office. These contracts
were for large amounts, but Dr.. Gillette had never
heard Of their being made the subject OF com I'M
cost of running the Mutual in recent years Some
attention was attracted TO item on luncheons,
coyc1ing the expense Of meal served TO en-
pioyes These cost $4,000 in 1903. Another large
Item was for employees in reserve which proved
to be half-pay pensions for incapacitated employees
The jump in legal expenses Of $4,000 between
and was significant in view Of the charges to this
9 ccount that had been shown in earlier testimony.
At the close of the morning session Mr.. Hughes
and James N. Beck, attorney for the Mutual, had
a tilt over the appearance OF A @. Fields. which
ended in rather sharp declaration OF the latter.
who said;
'Tf you want Mr.. Fields you can subpoena him.
Mr.. Fields is Ill. as has heen testified to- and We
don't feel under any obligation 70 bring
him here IN such condition.
Mr. Hughes finally accepted this ultinaatun1. and
will doubtless find way TO enforce his attendanos.
1FdV PET0KE PRO YES