The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-05-24
Wholesale Man Got Money From
Unknown Sources.
HE HIRED MIR. THOMAS
Paid New York Broker for
Looking After Rates.
Was Told His Firm Would Get
"Legitimate" Commissions.

States district court here of George H.
Crosby, traffic manager of the Burling-
ton railway; George L. Thomas of New
York. a freight broker and L. B. Tag
CART his clerk, on a charge of conspir-
acy.
7. H. McKittrick, president of the
Hargadine- -McKittrick Dry Goods COM
pany of St. Louis, the first witness. who
had testified that he had employed
Thomas at a salary of $500 a year to
look after the interests of his firm in
the matter of railway rates and rout-
ing from the east, admitted that he
had received various sums of money
from unknown sources"
In one instance Mr.. McKittrick testi-
fed a person, whom he did not know
entered his. Mr.. McKittrick's office in
New York one day and handed him a
bundle of money, containing between
four and five hundred dollars.
Mr.. McKittrick declared that he did
not know the man who had given him
this money; that he had not since seen
him; that he did not believe he would
be able to identity the man and furth-
er. that he did not know for what pur-
pose the money was given him nor from
what source it came
At this point District Attorney Van
valkenburgh requested W. B. Kelby,
| Thomas clerk, to stand up. and point
ing to Kelby. asked of the witness: rs
! this the man who handed the money to
! you in your New York Officer
Il do not know, do not believe 1
could identify the man." replied MI.
/ Mckittrick.
McKittrick, continuing his testimony,
said that he had employed Thomas
while he was in New York, on May 1,
! 1902, signing contract, which was re-
newed again in 1908. Thomas had. lie
said, solicited employment, claiming
il that he would be able to ship goods to
McKittrick's house from the east in the
most economical way and by the rail-
way giving the best service Thomas
duties also were to include the settle
ment of all cases Of losses in shipment
and overcharges and to obtain from
Lowell, Mass, and other mill cenpers,
the usual mill allowance offered buyers
| who accepted freight on a basis of ship
mont from New York Thomas had
1 been employed later on the same condt-
tions, but with no new contract.
In reply to a direct question Mr.. Nc
Kittrick said that he had at various
times received money from "unkno Tn
/ sources"
Witness then detailed the receipt of
the money in his New York office from
an unknown man. Continuing he said
that some of the money had been TC-
/ ceived by express. In this manner, ne
said. his firm had within four or five
years received about $4,000, during
which time they had paid out $3.50. 900 in
freight charges. In one instance he said
he had received some money personally
/ and this he had deposited in his brother 5
| private bank.
Or. crossexamination Mr. McKittrick
said that in seeking employment Thom-
as had said he would get any Legitimate
commissions from railways that McKit-
tricks firm might be entitled to, and
! from any water lines not subject to the
| interstate commerce act
Witness said he and Thomas had
talked over the matter Of rebates, nd
it was agreed that no rebates were tc
be sought He did not know that
! money received in his New York office
or by express had come from Thomas
The next witness was Hugh McKtt-
trick. son of T H Mckittriek and vice
president of the Hargadine-McKittric
Dry Goods company
Others Got the Money.
!, Hugh EdcKittrick testified to receiv-
ing money twice while in the New York
Office Once, in 1902, an express pack
age conta ining 81, 1000 was received by
witness. He did not know where it came
= from The money was credited in g
book used for odds and ends
AT another time, said the witness
"a gentleman came, handed me the
money and said it was coming to me-
He didn't know the man: did not ask
his name and didn't care to know it
Mr Kelby, Thomas clerk was asked lt
stand up but McKittrick was unable t
identity him who had given him tht
money
]. K. Burnham. president of this
Burnham Hanna & Munger Dry Goods
company of Kansas City. testified hi
had hired Thomas at a salary of 81, ,00l
a wear for attending to the freight bus
mess Of the firms Kansas City and De
troit houses. Durham admitted having
received $43, 900 from Thomas in the
past three years
.sThis was I suppose said witness
for mistakes in classification, claims
for damages. etc. All money was paiC
to ma in New York, I think
uII4 sul 10 I7qUusu g -6I5ua a IA
of Emery. Bird, Thayer Dry Goods
company of Kansas City, testified thaf
he had hired Thomas for four five
wears at a salary of $500 a year and il
that time he had received between 81,
500 and s.. 600 a year. This money wa.
given him at his Office in New York
some one would call him u2 on tbs
telephone, witness said and say that i
he (Emery) were to be in his office fol
a while something would be sent him
Later a package containing money wal
sent in. He did not know who had sen
it, but supposed it came from Thomas