New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-28
DENIES AIDING REBELS,
Former asphalt Trust Agent E'r-
anained an Damage Suit.

Gilbert NJ Furman, formerly employed by the
ssnraIt trust was examined yesterday IN New
ark n J. before Atwood L. De Coster, as sPe-
ctaI commissioner in the suit for s1.oe0tVo
DAMAGES brought by the Venezuelan govern
raaot against the New-York and BermudeZ
Company, of the trust for alleged completely IN
3 rebellion against the government
Mr. F1,ruan said that he had been employed
bv the trust as confidential agent, but that
since 1902 he had been out Of employment He
testified that while at Caracas, General Giuseppe
Monaras Assistant Secretary Of War, had sug-
oAsted 10 him that for $4,000 he could influence
the court trying a case between the Warner
c9I1inian Company and the New-York and Ber-
r1udez Company to give decision for the lat
ter. General Monagas, although serving under
President Castro. tie witness said, declared
hat the company could not expect fair treat
7uent under the existing government In the
home Of Henry Willard Bean, Caracas agent of
the company. who acted as interpreter, he de-
cJsred the general said that only through change
Of government by means Of a revolution could
the New-York and Bermudez Company expect
- win its case.
NJ. Ftrrlan said that to both Of these propo-
sitions OF General NIonagas he gave negative
replv, and admonished Mr.. Bean for allowing
the general to discuss fnsurrectionary affairs IN
his home, which was also the Office Of the New
York and Bermudez Company,
The former confidential agent denied that he
had told any one that his mission TO Venezuela
IVES TO investigate for the trust the prospects
for a successful instruction in the republic Il
IL had said SO. and there are two afidavits TO
that effect in the case. he had told an untruth.
declared the witness
Frank J. Dupignac on the cross examination
Of Mr.. F>urulan. brought out the fact that the
Venezuelan court had rendered decision favor
r. 1V7Tv
in its litigation with the Warner-Quinlan COM
pany, without the payment Of bride money
In answer to questions Mr.. Furman testi-
fed that he was sent to Venezuela in 1901. to
investigate the general situation regarding the
business Of the New-York and Berrnudez COM
pany and TO look into the methods employed by
Henry Willard Bean. the company's representa-
tive there. He said he had no instructions from
The officials of the asphalt trust with regard TO
the instruction. In fact. he declared he never
even heard Of General Manuel a. Natos, rebel
leader and Tenezuela's wealthiest man, until
after leaving the republic.
The Investigation into the affairs of the COM
pany at Caracas kept Mr.. Furman there only
ten days, he said
On two occasions. Nr. Furnan said, he heard
contemplated rebellion talked about. He said
that in reporting the propositions Of General
Monagas to the officials Of the company ne
told them that he had turned them down.
Mr.. F'Urman admitted having called on Orray
z. Thurber in this city On two occasions, meet
ing On the latter visit AMI Lorenzo Bar De-
but denied having told them that he acknowI-
edged an interest in the Venezuelan rebellion
He said he remembered a trip to stamford
Conn, with MI Thurber after his visit TO the
latteTs Office.
DO you remember saying TO Mr.. Thurber
that you never before had spoken Of your part
IN the revolt except TO the inner circle
'T couldn't have said that" replied the Wit
ness
Mr Furman testified that Mr.. Thurber said
TO him: You know something about the re-
beIIion: you must know all about it.
Mr. Thurber told Mr. Barber the same thing
about witness without the latter Contradcting
his statement at the time.
After Mr.. Furman's examination, counsel for
plaintiff and defendant went TO Perth Amboy,
where before James Parker. as commissioner,
they examined Michael Reilly, at time fore
man Of the trusts asphalt refinery at Guanoco-
M Reilly testified that he and other en-
rloves of the trust at Guanoco had granted
requests by troops for food and shelter. He did
not know. he said whether they belonged 10
the rebellion or were government soldiers. These
troops, the witness testified, compelled the en-
pIoyes to serve them Nj Reilly testified that
he had never received from the New-York and
Bermudez company any instructions with re-
gard 70 the treatment Of the soldiers.