New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-16

I, tried TO serve with subpoena Thomas NJ. Boyce.
of Boycc & Lynch but failed
The first witness called yesterday William J.
Knsley. a handwriting expert The witness took
up several signatures purporting be those OF
Thomas y. Tydings. a contractor who did work
the order of Walker aud declared that all OF them
not written by the hand He into
an elaborate description of variations and then
testified that. in his opinion. city warrants had
been originally Endorsed for payment to Boyce x
and the name of Thomas y. Tydings substituted.
James McCleery was recalled to the stand He is
the commissioners thar they had no power to com
pei the production of hooks and papers OF private
persons but Commissioners Mitchell ruled otherwise.
McCleery asked II he had produced his books.
of a.. 10 , Aurst 90 in rEo ESIIT,L i Ro b,S
was that his answer would tend 10 inSriminnte and
degrade him. and replied that that not his
reason for refusing.
You viii be reported the Supreme Court for
your reiuSd! TO answer said Commissioner Mitchell
acquisitions for work. The witness identified them
Have YOU a rubber stamp" asked Commits
Il refuse TO answer on advice of counsel" said
Asked ed to account for bin for second rsquIsi-
not account for II.
Here the witness excused until the question
OF his refusal TO answer had been settled by the
Thomas NJ, Blake. through counsel. denied the
right OF the commissioners 10 compel HIM to pro
a city official and never had any business
dealings with the city.
This objection over~uled, and the witness
asked to produce his stub book with the New
York County National Bank He said he had no
stub book further back than 1906
He identified several amounts deposited by him
with that bank but said he did not know the
signature Of Boyce & Lynch, of either OF the
firm He denied ever having any connection with
the Star Lamp Company
Mr. SCudder. expert accountant then took the
stand and testified to the similarity deposits OF
York County National Bank and OF Walkers bank
deposits
Here Martin W. IittIeton counsel for Borough
President Ahearn, entered and had long talk
said he would appeal from Justice OGorman's de-
cisiOn adjudging the Borough President in con-
tempt If he did not answer the questions OF the
commissioners within five days.
be stay by agreement with Mr.. Mitchell We have
agreed to go to the Appellate Division to get
u decision on this important matter. Whether
shall so 10 the Court of Appeals is a point about
not. This could be done by getting a certificate
OF reasonable doubt from Justice O'GOrmaE We
hope to get the case the June calendar of the
Appellate Division"
At the opening of the afternoon session Commits
sioner Mitchell read Section 4I9 OF the Revised
Charter which stipulates that all public contracts
above 1900 in amount shall be let by public let
ting" He then produced the letter book OF Walker
and read from it the following
Hon. Charles C. F. Wahle No % Broadway. city.
Dear Judge: In reply to your recent communi-
cation in relation TO the Essex Market courthouse
which was transmitted to me for action beg 10
say that l surprised TO read the statement
made by the clerk that nothing whatever had been
done. Painting work approxlmating N"o mas oes-