New-York tribune., 1908-04-14
VREELAND DIDN'T KNOW
FERRIES COMPANY DEAL.
Former Net. President Short Tenn
Dered Uyitness an We'll Suit.

Although president Of the Metropolitan Street
Railway Company in 1872. H II. Nreeiand tesu-
fed under oath yesterday in the Fifth District
,suujcipai court that he knew nothing OF
The r,avu,ents made the year by that
company Of slI6652 10 each OF the following men
Thomas r Ryan William c. Whitney, Ihonhas
Dolsn William NJ Elkins and p A. B. Nidener-
He said ne had no knowledge Of the famous s5el,eo
fund whica involved in the sale Of the Cort-
landt Street Ferries Railway ComPany-recentIy
investigated by grand jury-until news OF It was
brought out during the Public Service Commis-
sion's investigation of the Interborough company
last summer.
Mr.. VreeIsnd testified as a witness for the plain
tin IN 3 suit which Emanuel We'll is bringing
against certain directors OF the Metropolitan Street
Railway Company 10 recover $500 for alleged dam
ages For over four hours he the witness
stand, the only other witness being D. G Moore
head. secretary and former treasurer Of that COM
psuy.
Mr.. Vreeland did not hesitate 10 tell Eugene
hrener, the opposition lawyer At least one
occasion that his question was absurd" At times
he appeared morose. and answered, or more often
eN AIDED answering. questions put 10 him with ex-
ceeding sharpness. once he appealed 10 Judge
Young 10 get the lawyer 10 ask more sensible Ques
tions.
The ignorance that Mr.. yreeland evinced by his
answers about New York traction affairs was great.
y don't know The records will show Not TO
NY present recollection were the replies he made
most often Between him and John 3. Stanchfeld,
counsel Tor the defendants Mr.. kremer had
strenuous DAY - T. times II looked II they
were playing horse" with the lawyer
Mr- Moorehead was o. the stand when court con-
venea- He gave way 10 Nj Vreeland after a few
questions and almost Immediately trouble began.
M krerner asked SOM question about William @.
hitney- M Nreeland's face flushed and he
plainly showed snEe-
IF yoL want 10 drag his name in" he cried, go
on. ] didn't want TO. lie is dead now" lie ex-
plainea That he DID not want TO mention Mr. Whit
ney name because reporters had referred last
week 10 M Ryan.s dragging his name in
Nj Ereeisua really coGIdn't remember" whether
ne was president of al traction lines that Mr.
hre1ner mentioned. Of others he thought he was
president ana Of fev he knew he was. Mr..
hTemer asked him II J . owned any stock in the
New York City Railroad Companv and when he
replied that ne did tnat il was necessary to own
STOCK 70 qualify as a director the lawyers had an
acrimonious battle admitting the last part Of
ms answer Il was finally admitted and the wit
ness laughed
NY hTemer made some remarks about Mr
sianchhelos thinking The latter objected i
NlthdraW The remark retorted Krerner quickly
certainly Mr. Stanchdeld has not indicated from
at "hat ne has said to-day that he is capable Of
thinking"
The witness replied 10 question after question
maj ne mad no present recollection" and evi-
dently enjoyed rhe work he was thereby cutting
oul lot M krener- At times he whispered to
the court and once got out Of the witness chair
stretched himself and took d look out Of the
window.
Shortly after recess the $4,000 fund came up
After disciaining all knowledge Of IT, Nj vreeland
SAID that payments Of large amounts were often
made Dy the president and vice-presidents with
out the order Of the board OF directors and that
the V1ce--esident might make such payments with
out the presidents knowledge. But such payments
he said, were only made on contracts approved bv
the board.
Was the payment OF this s5OOO0o made without
order OF the board2' asked Mr.. Krerner
I don't know what $4,000 you are talking
shout angrily exclaimed the witness. y know
nothing about any such payment"
Toward the close AIr. KremeT's questions seemed
10 irrtate Mr Vree,and else he desired 10 irrf-
tate Mr. Krener, for his answers were exceedingly
short and brusque The case was adjourned until
Thursday morning.