Evening journal., 1905-05-04
BRIBERY CHARGES
IN THE Gas DEAL
Philadelphia Business Mans
Affidavit duplicates u.
G. |. Company
ECHO Of The 1897 TRANSACTION

Philadelphia. May 4.-One Of the
sensations OF the day in the PROPOSE
tion to lease the Philadelphia gas
works TO the United Gas Improvement
company was the reading at a mass
meeting held at the Academy Of Music
OF an ahidavit made by Robert Dcrnan,
carpet manufacturer. that bribery
was resorted on when the United Gas
improvement company secured IT'S
present 30-year lease of the gas works
in 1897 Mr Dornan's affidavit was
read by William 7. Tilden, secretary
of the meeting.
The affidavit says that through the
instrumontality Of Israel w. Durham,
the Republican leader Of this city
syndicate known as the "Ridgwey
Syndicate was formed TO bid on the
lease in 1897 in opposition to the
United Gas Improvement company,
and that he (Mr. Dornan) and a friend
were requested to become members Of
the syndicate Mr. Dornan and his
friend joined the syndicate. and a bid,
better than tse u. c. !. Co.'S was
made Continuing the affidavit says:
Almost Immediately after the bid
was made the syndicate was requested
TO send a representative to confer
with Thomas Dolan, representing the
T. C. l. Co. Thoreupon a member of
the syndicate was delegated to repre-
sent the 'Ridgway Syndicate, ana af-
ter several conferences en- agreement
was entered into by which. In return
for e withdrawal of the Ridgway Syn
dicate' bid o sum of money amounting
TO $1,000 YVES 10 be paid each NOM
Der of that syndicate. together with
further valuable consideration in the
privilege TO subscribe to large guam
tity of bonds to be sold at a price
much below their value
"This agreement was carried out
and the money paid over 20 the mem
bers.of the syndicate. With the excep-
tion of T. d. Stnscn (Dornan's
friend and mycclf Both Of us re-
fused acceptance of olr shares; what
/ became Of them ultimately is unknown
/ TO me. 70 IS scarcely supposable. how
/ over. that the amount was turned back
/ into the U. G. l. treasury" Mr.. Dornal
concludes his affidavit by directly
: charging Mr. Dolan. as therepr
/ ,ive Of the q. G. l. company. with the
corrupt use of o large SUM of money
and other valuable considerations 70
induce the 'Ridgwry Syndicate to
withdraw rs h.d for the lease. / hope,
thereby" he says "to establish fraud
upon which LEGAL proceedings can be
based 10 weld TIE eg sting lease TO the
/ L. C. I. conincny. ana restore the prop
crty 10 the city thus enabling it %
offer a new lease in open competition
to tho best bidder"
Mayor John Weaver, after a confer
ence with lrrael w. Durham, leader OF
the Republican organization, issued o
statement in waicA he opposes the
lease of tho city gas works to the
United Gas Improvement company
The mayor, in his statement says;
Specifically, ! object to the lease
uron these three points
"Frst the sum Of S25.OoO,00O. which
is offered is too small for such a val
liable franchise.
Second, the term Of the lease, which
would run until 1880, Is too long
Third / think it is poor policy to
give mp the annual income due to the
city under the present leasc
con general grounds. am opposed,
as I have indicated from time to time
in my messages to councils. to the
bartering away Of valuable franchises
and public utilities possessed by the
city"
The stand taken by the mayor caused
quite stir about city hall Mr. Dur
ham departed for Hot Springs. Va. and
this Is taken to mean that he considers
the situation satisfactory for the final
passage Of the lease.
Several members of councils pre-
dictod that councils would be called
into special session next Tuesday and
/ pass the lease ordinance with a large
b majority, and that councils would pass
! it again over the mayors veto.