New-York tribune., 1905-01-08
CIRCUITS ARREST THREAT.
WILL ASK FOR WARR4NTS
Holds Edison Officers Who Won't
4AnsScer Questions in Contem Mt

Tor an oroer tor the of1cials to show cause
why they should not be punished for contennt
Of court N refusing to answer questions pro-
pounded by counsel for the Finance Departrns,,
Mr GrOut directed his counsel Mr. yo,,. :.
ask Cor warrants for the arrest of racslc,,-ar,.
witnesses.
The lighting companies have decided 70 arh,
the Controller all along the line and there IS no
immediate prospect Of compelling the comnan,a,
10 produce their books and papers.
Il. n Edwards, of the New-york Edison Con,-
psny, was the first witness called Before NJ
Edwards was sworn objection was made In the
interest OF the Edison company The ob,ac,,o-
was based the fact that Mr. Grout haa -
sected claims in HIS answer in the action brought
against himself and Mayor McClellan Tba Oh
lection being overruled. Mr.. Edwards was sworn
He said that he was the auditor OF the New
York Edison Illuminating Company. and
had been in the employ OF that corporation
since 1889
Before Auditor Edwards could testify furthsr
the lawyers again objected 20 the examination
OF the witness 1t was asserted that Controller
Grout had no jurisdiction under the charter.
the Code OF Civil Procedure or any statute ..
the State 10 inquire into the history or organ,-az
tioa OF the New-Yori Edison Company. its can't
tai stock or Indebtedness or cost Of production
or distribution Of electricity 10 the city. This
objection was also based on the fact that at tho
present time the Edison company has no con-
tract with the city.
Mr.. Grout admitted that there was no con-
tract but overruled the assertion about iurisdic-
ton After answering some preliminary ques-
tions the witness was asked about the cost of
production OF electricity.
What are the capitalization and cost OF pro-
ductIon OF the Edison company?'' continued
Henry Yonge examining the witness
II decline TO answer"
What is the general area covered by the.
York Edison Company in the Borough OF NJ
haitian
WHERE THE COMPANY OPERATES.
From the Battery to One-hundred-and-
thirty -ffth-st- on the West Side. and we have q
Hthe business on the upper East Side"
How about the Borough OF The Bronx"
We cover that pretty thoroughly"
And there your company uses electricity made
by other companies merged into the Edison
company
IT Goes"
AS auditor. do you know in what books you
keep record of the cost Of sales Of electricity
70 the city?'
IN the sales record. It is a separate book
Have you any other separate book for any
sther customer Of the company"
'T decline TO answer that question
N affidavit for December. 1902"
Yes; that is the bill for lighting The Bronx
br that month "
And IN It you speak Of a contract between
he city Of New-York and the Edison company
tor one year,"
7 did"
Was thsre any such conTset-'
Not that I know Of. II is not in my pos
session"
Then, why did you mention the contract IN
Tour ahidavit?"
You viii notice that the date is blank
And you further swore in connection with the
alleged contract that you had examined the
books and records of the Edison company"
7 did That vas when I got the bill from
the bookkeper."
DO you maintain separate books for lighting
furnished IN the Borough OF Manhattan dis
aaguished from the Borough Of The Bronx"
We do"
What books. II any. did you examine before
wearing TO the af1davit?"
The books kept in the office-the salesbook
and ledger"
Are there TWO books"
"No. Il is a combination OF sslesbook and
DO you know If the price charged the city
Fss fair one?"
Y decline TO answer that because I am not an
expert on electricity"
Did you take into consideration the capital
rock and bonded Indebtedness Of the company
2 making the estimste?"
7 decline 10 answer that"
Mr. Yonge appealed 20 Controller Grout 10
sompel the witness 10 testify Mr.. Grout told
Auditor Edwards that under the law he was
feQuired TO answer and IL he did not do so he
vas liable 10 punishment for contempt.
By advice Of counsel Auditor Edwards refused
% answer. Controller Grout directed Mr.. Yonge
70 apply to the court for warrant for the arrest
Of the witness.
Joseph Williams. assistant secretary and
treasurer Of the Edison company. called.
He said that he believed fair price for electric
~ had been charged 10 the city, and declined
10 ten Il the Edison Company possessed any
BOOKS showing the cost of production OF the
tectriciiy charged the city. Mr.. Yonge was
Instructed 10 proceed against both Edwards and
Williams for contempt of court.
CAN'T FIND THE PRESIDENT.
An employe OF the Controllers Office testified
Nat he had been unable 10 find the president Of
ne Edison company. One Of the lawyers ex-
plsined that Mr.. Brady was willing TO appear
anc would do the next session. Adjourn
hent was announced until Tuesday.
Explaining the legal steps that VIII have TO
oe resorted 20 20 punish the alleged contuna-
s1ons Witnesses Mr.. Yonge said the action would
be based on Sections S54. $50 and S5G OF the
Cooe OF Civil Procedure, and that the applica-
Ton would be made 10 one Of the justices Of
he Supreme Court.
Eight days notice IS necessary before the
commencement Of the contempt proceedings"
'ald Ar. Yoage. land while they pending
1 VIII be brSz IN another direction with the