New-York tribune., 1908-04-10
WHITNEY GOT IT-RYAN
STORY OF $500, 900 TOLD.
Didn't Kpozc Hoe Money Vas Used.
He SMd-UmdfaH of $III 900.

We'll and Minnie Weller for the recovery OF eo''
and 500 damages. respectively. District Attorney
Jerome was on the stand for few moments, COM
ing under subpoena. The last witness was u. -
Moorehead, secretary and treasurer OF the Metro
politan Street Railway Company. who testified De
before the Public Service Commission that he haa
on his own voItion sold the books of that COM
pany for a few cents a pound
Despite a recent story that Mr.. Ryan testihed
before special grand jury that 100000 OF the Met
ropolitan Street Railway Companys money osteh-
siby used for the purchase of the wall & Co'I'
land Street Ferries Railway Company, had gone
into a political campaign fund. he swore yestef-
day that he did not Hnow what that money hau
been used for. He also testified that he got
S1l1o00 of that deal but that ii was gwen
him in repayment OF moneys he had advanced Tor
the good of the company"
Mr. Ryan also said that in 1905 he had withdrawn
from thrty-sx corporations On one occasion
Eugene krener counsel for the plaintlfs' asked
him: Weren't you really dummy director OF the
New York City Railway Company?
Mr. Nicon was on his feet in moment MT.
Kremer has areacy referred to Mr. Ryan as the
whole thing" he shouted. but now he refers to
him as a dummy. ! object"
The question remained unanswered. but the idea
of Mr.. Ryan being a dummy in any business
transaction seemed To appeal to many OF the spec
tators ludicrous and they smiled proadly'
Mr. Kremer 1nisaed examining Mr.. Ryan AT .
O'clock Delaney Nico the witnesss personal
counsel, then began his cross-eXamlnatlon, as MI
Ryan called a witness for the plalhuHs'
Hardly had Mr. N'coH begun before MI hremef
admitted ne did not believe he could ma a
man in New York city who could swear that MI
Ryan had authorized the preparation of the 1893
and 1906 reports of the company. upon alleged
Justification Of which the suits are based
Quick as fash Mr. Nieoll exclaimed, "On that
admission. your honor. VIII rest the case, ana
sat down with smile
H H Vree.aud was in the courtroom, and he.
with August Belmont. +. J Berwind, Thomas
. Dolan. T. A e. Widener. Jacob Schif and Nor
4Eat1I u-ifD next
week John b stanchhed appeared as counsel for
the directors.
Apparently in much better humor than he
on the preceding day. Mir. Ryan took the stand
promptly at ? o'clock yesterday morning. The pro
ceedings had hardly begun before Mr.. Nico ad-
dressed Justice Young. He had already hinted
that the suits were simply fishing expedition
for information for BIZ Amory and his gang"
This suit as conducted he said. is simply
continuation Of the Public Service Commissions
inquiry The only difference is that downtown I
could not talk. Here 7 have the privilege Of talk
ing and can make speech"
Mr.. Kremer began by asking tie witness ques-
tions about his connection with Mr.. Ereelaud and
other traction men. but got no definite answers.
NJ. NicolI said he thought Mr.. Kremer should tell
the court what plan he was proceeding The
latter explained that he expected show that Mr.
Ryan was absolutely in control OF traction prop
critics even though he might be a minority stock
holder in many Of them. and that he controlled
the Metropolitan Street Railway Company
Mr.. Ryan was asked questions about different
traction matters. 10 many Of which he answered
4 don't know" He said he owned little if any
stock in the New York City Railway Company.
Mr.. NicoIl continued object. which seemed to
get Mr- Kremers nerves.
Your honor" he said addressing the court Il
am willing at the proper time and place to dis
cuss Hindu philosophy with Mr.. Nico but these
interruptions are simply for the purpose of killing
time"
MI Ryan said that he had taken substantial
COMPANY and that il profitable for time
paper In reply 10 the question if it wasn't
fact that what went into the Metropolitan Street
Railway Company was given for its security
Nj RYAN said that the cash furnished on
the stock Of the Metropolitan Securities Company.
He said he did know what proportion OF the
stock Of The latter now owned by the Inter
borough Metropolitan company. Mr.. kremer ques-
toned the witness about issues OF mortgage bonds
OF several subsidiary lines
Did you have anything 10 with the actual
building OF the Lex ngtou Avenue & Pavonia Ferry
Railroad counsel asked.
I was not able 10 build il physically retorted
Nj Ryan.
Then followed a long discussion on the history of
the transfer system and AIr. Ryan drew a diagram
show his ideas what profitable transfer
system would he The in at present was
much abused, he said.
In connection with the $4,000 for the Wall and
Cortlandt Street Ferries Company, Mr Ryan said
il paid 10 Nj Whitney: that entry was
made il in the books of the Metropolitan Street
Railway Company; that it was for the purposes
Of the company of which Mr.. Whitney was the
controlling spirit" and that he did not know how
il was applied and did not know il was for the
Wall and Corlandt Street Ferries franchise until
he got d notice from the Morton Trust Company
that his share $Il9 had been placed 10 his credit
After recess Mr.. Ryan appeared fatigUed and at
times irritable District Attorney Jerome appeared
and Nj. Ryan gave place TO him the stand Nj
Jerome said had brought with him the minutes
OF certain Of the transit lines which he was willing
10 have examined, but did not want them to go out
Of his possession
ReslmIng the stand Mr Ryan said: Il don't
think owned any stock in the Metropolitan Street
Railway Company in June, 1906. l think il Was
transferred into Interborough Metropolitan stock
had induced number Of stockholders 10 Mace
their money in the latter company in this way
and it would not have been honest for me to hoId
cut myself He declined TO say what his holdings
in 1875.
Mr.. Krerner then introduced in evidence a copv
81 q complaint OF a. =. JoIlne and Douglas Rob
inson, brought against Ryan and others which
Mr.. NlcoH brought out was done "on the theory
that Nj Ryan had submitted no answer and did
hot intend to Mr. Nicoh then took up the cross
exam nation Mr. Ryan said he had neither issued
or authorized be issued any misleading renort
about the Metropolitan Street Railroad Cor1psnv
ana had never efered into any combine or con
splfacy Tor the purpose Of deceiyng any of the
company stockholders Then the cross-eYarnina-
mon came n sudden end. as has been told Mr.
@''@" s4'oOA Halos Win justice Young he left
t.-9 s'0Ho' ana WIN MI Nlcol Immediately left
the courtroom.
Mr.. Moorehead was the next witness NJ ST.,
1 oDIe0'e0 10 HeaFiy every question put him,
and was overruled each time The witness tes,teas
that he had resigned as director of the N-eyy Wi,
City Railroad Company by request and tb -
animation lee him back to the destruction of tba
metropolitan Street Railway Company's books Tho
case VIII be continued Monday morning.