New-York tribune., 1905-04-15
BITTER TAUNTS IN COURT.
Ertanger and Gruber Are Moved to
Rage by Untermyer.

IN the Belasco suit against Klaw & Erlanger
account books Of the firm were examined in
court yesterday by Samuel Untermyer, Mr. Be
lascos counsel. in an effort 20 prove that all
payments made by Mr.. BelascO for bookings Of
me Auctioneer'' were credited to the firm. not
10 Joseph Brooks. This. Mr.. Untermyer said
would show that Efr. Belasco had been in part
heEship with the firm, not with Brooks. Myer
W. Livingston. Klaw & Erlangers auditor. was
IN the witness chair when examination Of
the books began and Abraham Gruber. the
nFlns counsel. objected to the reading OF any
items not referring to the Belasco payments.
what 90 you want Klaw & Erlanger to ad-
mit?' he finally asked.
want you to make the admission" said Mr..
Untermyer. that IN February. March. April
and May, 1902. payments were made by Belasco
TO klaw & Erlanger: that they were credited TO
their personal accounts. and that nothing passed
to the account of Brooks"
Mr.. Gruber refused to make the admission,
ana counsel took uD the account item by item.
comparing the cancelled checks Of Belasco with
the entry in the ledger
The witness admitted that all the credits were
to the account of Klaw Erlanger. thus going
Tar to sustain the claim of Belasco that Klaw &
Erlanger were his partners. not Brooks.
After being harrassed by Mr.. Gruber in every
possible way. Mr.. Untermyer at last lost pa
tience and said: eff your honor will allow me.
viii show you the most extraordinary set Of
books that was ever kept"
That is uncalled for and unjust, and I ask
that it be expunged from the record: I might
retaliate and make the same charges" said Mr..
Gruber.
II am going to show began Mr.. Untermyer.
THE gentleman has punctuated my remarks
again. shouted Mr.. GrUber
My intention was to puncture rather than to
punctuate," snapped out Mr.. Untermyer; and
the bang Of the gavel brought the wa- of words
to close Later there was another wrangle
between counsel. and Mr.. Gruber said: IT want
no more abuse Of Klaw & Erlanger. inferentially
or in any other way
Justice Fitzgerald banged the gavel but Mr..
Gruber would not be suppressed II he does.
he'll be sorry for it, he said. as he sat down.
Terrible. terrible" retorted Mr.. Untermyer
Are there any entries in your ledger showing
that checks were paid 10 Brooks?' Mr.. INTER
myer asked the witness
mo, sir replied Livingston.
Did Mr.. Brooks have drawing account?'
How rnuch?"
mo regular amount: as he wanted it,"
And as he could get it?'' suggested Mr.. In
termyer.
Yes" said Livingston
Mr.. Erlanger recalled by Mr.. Gr1lber 10
correct his testimony in regard to the David
Warfleld contract Mr.. Gruber then read a let
NS4 nun Ma" q I1TldLBSI 10 w 6Eue1Qs IN which
they took him to task for making so many com
plants.
Where is the letter to which that is an an
swer?' asked Mr.. Untermyer.
Destroyed was the answer.
"Ah, you did not destroy the answer, did you
In 1900 you told Belasco that you didn't believe
in Warfeld7
Yes
And warheld broSe those arrangements him
self?"
He was a dangerous proposition"
He was? Wen. he does not seem to be a
dangerous proposition to Mr.. Belasco''
Il don't know" replied Mr.. ErIanger.
You don't?" thundered Mr. Untermyer.
Don't you know you have tried your best to
get him away from Belasco?'
That is absolute falsehood," was the
angry reply
"Ah. that is a sample Of your gentle temper?'
said Mr.. Untermyer. That Is ALL
As Mr. Erlanger left the witness stand and
walked back TO his seat he said something that
sounded like threat to Mr.. Untermyer. and his
face was white with anger. Justice Fitzgerald
pounded on his desk. and the color gradually
began TO return to Mr.. Erlanger's face.