New-York tribune., 1905-04-21

Charles 2. Murphy admitted on the stand that
be met James Stillrnan and Henry n. Rogers in
nosenber last and that he had speeulated in
consolidated Gas shares: He denied having any
Stscsst in the Nev-Nork Contrasting and
Trucking Company controlled BY his brother
and others whose se5 seHtrSets SC with che lighting
The Investigation will close tonight or Satur-
day morning.
recommend an So-oent gas bill, with public
.,nervision Of pressure regulation, and laras
reduction of the klowatt price Of electric light
Tbe eomnittee's report will be presented 60
che legislature probably on May 1.
Charles F. Murphy's admission before the joint
legislative committee yesterday afternoon that he
soeeulates IN Consolidated Gas shares and that
:. personally knows James Stillman, president
- the National city Bank. and Henry H. Rogers,
q, rbe STANDARD oil Company. furnishes a fairly
,,-,s exclamation Of the ability OF the leader OF
Tamrnany Hall TO live without visible means OF
surpor,. and buy country estates in the bar
gain.
To the legislative gas investigating committee.
,bjob did not seem disposed 10 ask many en-
,ea~rsssing questions Mr.. Murphys testimony
turned the limelight on the gas situation in this
c,tv. making it perfectly clear why Comnfs-
eioner Oakley. q close personal friend OF Charles
#. Murphy. was eager. without consultation with
ysvor Mcclellan. 10 close a contract with
The lighting combine on terms practically named
1bv the company. "Au the committee desired to
% was 10 sdduoe the facts. or part Of them.
and let the intelligent public make its own de-
ouctions" said Nj. Hughes counsel TO the COM
z1.ttee, last night
Charles F. Murphy was warmly congratulated
last night by his friends. He will celebrate his
triumph to-day as star witness at Atlantic
City, where the Tammany district leaders almost
20 g nan have gone for Good friday. Saturday
end Easter Sunday.
The leader Of Tammany Hall is not often on
o witness stand His appearance in that ca
Racity yesterday was his first. so far as known,
since he succeeded Richard Croker as head OF
Tsnmsny Hail. 8Ir. Murphy. IN the language
q "the organization" had his nerve" with him
yesterday. That is 10 say. he was not hustered
vas ready with answers TO M Hughes's rapid
hEs questioning and told enough about ais con-
nsotioa with the Consolidated Gas Company and
Ehs men who control 81 to satisfy the legitimate
bu5osity OF Senator Stevens and his colleagues.
CHARLES F. MURPHY AS A WITNESS.
AEr. Murphy is not at all Ike Richard Croker
= manner. When Mr.. Croker was a witness
tssrs tie Mazet committee he was in his hey
DAY G power as the leader Of Tammany. Mr..
afurrhv - relatively at that point now. BIr.
C1oEz9 vas short. grizzled and somewhat re-
Esa1em "a his answers. He said he was working
~ he pocket al the time. That fact was
k1cTl 70 q good many people, but after Croker
Ezid On the stand Il turned into a boomerang
Eha4 disdgured Tammany Hall and sent the
sTgsr" 20 the hospital for repairs.
Mr. Murphy was not aggressive or resentful
yesterday. His replies were given IN a low, even
Gsne. When he took his seat he had on nose
glasses. When he began TO tell Of personally
knowing Messrs. Rogers and Stillman and Of
having speculated in Consolidated Gas he took
of his glasses and shifted the least bit in his
chair
Mr.. Hughes was rapid. courteous and ingra-
dating. The result being that the operation was
ss II cocaine had been administered. II remains
70 be seer whether il was entirely painless 10
Tammany and Mayor Mcclellan. however.
The City Hall clocks, inside and outside which
have ucked away with integrity while Tam
many Hall men, inside and outside Of the City
Hall have done strange things. indicated 4:1O
O'clock when Charles F. Murphy was called TO
The stand. His brother John president OF the
NeT-Kork Contracting and Trucking Company.
hae Just finished telling Mr.. Hughes that all
me profits Of The company. controlled by him
self Alderman Gaffney and Mrs. Essie Irene
Gsfney, were put into the plant"
Charles F. Murphy" said Mr.. Hughes, look
Ing the Tammany leader in the eye.
There was a craning Of necks 20 get a good
look az Nr. Murphy under FIRE" The picture
men We're there with battery OF cameras Mr.
Murphy walked briskly TO the little undressed
White pine platform holding the witness chair,
8
henaJor Stevens administered the oath.
The spectators settled back IN their seats 10
ta3oy their reward They had listened for days
70 tales Of candle power and kilowatt. of water
gas and watered stocks. until hope went down
Ike l6-candle power. open flame burner in
NsAarsie with the thermometer at zero, and
Nssih went up like midwinter gas bill. Now
q vas the real thing" II was Mr.. Murphy the
NA'si The potential dynamo. whose revolutions
"a le!t by al the little incandescents in all the
s-eoaon districts Of Manhattan and The Bronx.
Tao his was what happened according TO the
hlshoErauher's official minutes
ESs--Ar Murphy. you're the leader OF Tammany
sor,,9s a. am recognized as such by the executive
,SS-I suppose when the administration came into
tog To- & on January J, 1854 you considered the situa-
III w Win reference 10 the lighting contract? Al
98-Rd you give 1t no attention? A.-No, sir.
o. tbe c, you not interested in the public affairs
,42s-a~ere you not interested in that aspect OF
ns,,s Sla a you give no attention whatever 10 the
n r q city hghting2 A.-No, sir.
Nyer.fa-o you have no interviews with any persons
III Cvso C1t 70 mat matter? A.-Ao. sir.
- consider what lighting contracts should or
1ee Sss - aot Be made by the city? Mot unless It
w. md was II called 10 your attention? At
,sS2-Were sou aware that in the early part Of
Ghd 80 were Put IA for public lighting; electric