New-York tribune., 1906-05-25
BIG REBATES RECEIVED.
Kansas City Firms Got Money from
"UnknOzcn Sources"

Kansas City. No. May 24-Members Of a half dozen
large business firms admitted here to-day at the
trial in the federal court OF George H Crosby, the
Burlington traffic manager; George L. Thomas the
New York freight broker, and the latter's clerk,
l. B. Taggart, that they had received thousands
OF dollars in commissions from unknown sources -
AL Of the firms had hired Thomas to attend to the
shipping of goods from the Atlantic seaboard to
St. Louis and Kansas City, but none of the wit
nesses would say that the money came from
Thomas. None Of the firms kept records Of the
payments according to the witnesses. All pay
ments made in New York
Several officials of the Burlington Railway were
also examined, and their testimony developed the
fact that vouchers for the payment of commits
sions have disappeared
The government rested in the afternoon. when
Judge Q. NJ. Spencer. for the defendants fled a
demurrer, arguing that no evidence had been pro-
duced to show conspiracy and even If such evi-
denee had been presented the court lacked turis-
diction, as the alleged crime was committed in
New York and not in Missouri. He asked that the
case against Crosby be dismissed
\ H. Mchitfrick, president OF the Hargardine-
-lchlltflck Drygoods Company, Of st. Louis, the
nIst witness. who had testified that he had en-
pioyed Thomas at a salary OF $500 year 10 look
aiter the interests Of his firm in the matter of
railway rates and routing from the East, admitted
that he had received various sums Of money from
unknown sources" In one instance. Mr.. McKit-
trick testified, person whom he did not know
entered MS lMckittricks) Office In New York City
one day and handed him a bundle of money con
tanning between four and five hundred dollars
Mr Mckttrick declared that he did not know
the man who had given him this money; that he
had not since him; that he did not believe he
would be able to identify the man. and further that
ne oid not know for what purpose the money was
gwen him nor from what source II came.
Mckitrck said he had employed Thomas while
he was in New York, May l. 1902, signing a con-
tract which was renewed again in 1903. Thomas had
solicited employment. claiming that he would be
able 10 ship goods to McKittrick's house from the
East in the most economical way and by the rail-
way giving the best service. Thomass duties also
were to include the settlement of all cases of
losses in shipment and overcharges, and 10 obtain
from Lowell. Mass. and other mill centres the
usual mill allowance offered buyers who accepted
freight a basis of shipment from New York.
Thomas had been employed later on the same con-
dtiops but with no new contract
The next witness Hugh McKittrick, son of
T. H. McKttrick and vice-president Of the Har-
gardne- -McKittrick Drygoods Company. who tes-
tilted to receiving 5000 in an express package at
its Office in New York in 1902. and later package
of money that was handed TO him by unknown
man.
RECEIVED $4,000 IN THREE YEARS.
J! X Isurnharn president of the Bur7ham. Hanna
& Munger Drygoods Company, Of Kansas City.
testified 10 hiring Thomas at a salary of $1,000 a
year. and admitted having received $4,000 from
mistakes in classification. claims for damages etc.
W f. Emery. a member Of the Emery-Blrd-
Thayer Drygoods Company. of Kansas city. had
hired Thomas at a salary of 800 year, and for a
period OF four five years had received between
$3.50 ana sZ.cOO q year at his New Iork once
The money was given him by a man to him Un-
known. but he supposed II had come from Thomas
Louis Beidlemen freight claim inyeStlgaioT a. z
OF the Burlington railway. said he had handled
claims filed by Thomas x Taggart Tor over
charges and commissions. lie always investigated
the first class Of claims not those for commissions
They we're all sent him by l.. i. Moore, who
made vouchers for the amounts. He did not in
Vestigate commission claims, because he not
told to do so. No names entered in the record
Of such claims, the witness said. just numbers
Claims for commissions sometimes were for thou
sands Of dollars He did not know what the COM
missions for.
/. + Moore. of Chicago. freight claim agent for
the Burlington, testified that he had handled claims
from Thomas K Taggart IN 1893 and 1894 Some
for commissions. The witness said he never
had received any instructions from George II
Crosby, the defendant. about these claims and de-
MED fatty that he had testified differently before
the grand jury IN December. He had, he said al
Ways received his orders from L. +. Miller who
died IN January, 1906. Mr. Crosby succeeded M
Miller. All the commission claims he had SO