Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-06
BUILDING OF HIGHWAY MAY BE
INVESTIGATED
THoRouGHFARE PROFITABLE TO
SUPERVISOR, ALLEGED
Philo J. 5everldge' of Hollywood
Throws Some sldeliehts While
Testlfylng In Suit Against
"SolId Three"
CONTINUED from Page one)


nishing of the bonds, was concluded
yesterday. Arguments will begin at
o'clock today.
Two more members of the board of
supervisors were on the stand yester-
day. These were Chairman Patterson
and Peter j. Wilson, who, with S. Z.
Eldridge, constitute what Is lnoWn as
the solid three"
Their statements went further to
show that lack of business acumen
was exhibited in the transactions sur
rounding the private sale of September
8. Both testified that J. r. Martin had
asked them to compare his offer of
August 81 with any proposition that
other banks might put forward Will
son said he made no Investigation
whatever as to the merits of the Mar
tin offer. Patterson said he spoke to
Banker Washburn, who said he be-
lieved 1t was good idea to have
million or more on hand; that 2 per-
cent could be relied upon, and that bet
ter bids on contracts could be secured
when plenty of money was forthcom-
ing.
The chairman did not say whether or
not he told Mr.. Washburn of the pre-
MUM offered by Martin.
81 also saw man from the east,
said the chairman. Il have forgotten
his name He told me that owing to
the fact that the county is practically
free from debt we should get par L
told him we should get more, and he
said it would be a good sale If we did"
Investigation Baked
Philo J. Beveridge was one of the
first witnesses yesterday. he IS
member of the good roads advisory
committee and was one of those ap-
pointed by that body to investigate the
private sale, and if possible bring about
a withdrawal of the bid. While he and
his colleagues were asked to make an
investigation into anything that sa-
vored of fraud, Mr.. Beveridge said this
inquiry was not made, as he was asked
by the purchasers to say nothing in
this respect, as 1t might injure them.
I'VE told them our only object was
| to investigate, not to injure any local
Institutions he said, and showed the
report made to the full committee,
which contained the statement that the
Subcommittee did not believe any fraud
had been committed.
"Is it your opinion that the sale was
ill-advised?" questioned Attorney Me-
serve.
81 don't think so now. think there
was a deal of some kind" remarked the
| witness, positively. He gave facts to
bear him out In this conclusion, one of
| these being the action of the supervis-
ors in refusing to consult with the ad-
| visory board after the withdrawal of
the private sale and when they had
| passed a resolution to submit further
proposals to that body.
Prior to the withdrawal of the pri-
vate sale, he said, conference with
the solid three was held at Levy's cafe.
| 'I urged them to withdraw for their
| own sakes," he said.
"PubIic Be D."
Wilson expressed himself as not car
ing for public opinion, and used some
words which I do not care to state.
Practically he said the public could be
| id"
Chairman Patterson, he said, told
him no idea could be had of the num-
ber of men seeking employment. HE
| told me the supervisors had spent $15,-
900 county money on one piece of road
in Laurel canyon, leading from Park
er's house to Bungalow Land, in order
/ to give men work.
"Do you know where Mr.. Eldridge
lives?" asked former Judge Works.
at asked Eldridge one day on a street
car where he lived and he told me In
Bungalow Land" replied the witness.
! Regarding the advertisement for bids
| Mr.. Beveridge said he regarded it AS
discrimination against eastern buy
ers as the certified check of $4,000
must be issued by a Los Angeles coun-
!
ty bank.
resolution by Deputy District Attorney
Shaw without consulting anyone else
but to the county, would you believe
there was fraud in the transaction?'
asked Attorney Meserve.
81 do not think Mr.. Shaw would
commit fraud" repied the witness.
Wilson Testifies
| Supervisor Wilson, while on the
stand, said he knew nothing about the
meeting of August a. but was asked
by J. r. Martin to attend the August
81 meeting. He related the incidents
which took place at that meeting and
| the one on Labor day. Wilson said
he had not discussed the offer made
by Martin with anybody and made no
| inquiry as to it's merits. When he left
| the meeting on Labor day he said
he did not understand that Martins
proposition was to be placed before the
board the next day and that he would
agree to it.
| Supervisor Patterson also testified in
regard to the three secret meetings,
but said he had made inquiries about
the private sale of the bonds and that
two persons told him it was good
| idea. He also left the little side room"
! on Labor day with no understanding
that the Martin proposition would be
accepted.
! Deputy District Attorney Shaw. how
ever. told the court that when he left
the side room 1t was his understanding
| that the bid then made was to be
placed in shape by him and would be
voted upon favorably the following day
The deputy said he had made some
general inquiries regarding the bond
sale, but received no definite replies
| to his inquiries.
| Eugene Germain, one of the plain
\ tiffs in the suit torestrain the super
yisors from proceeding further with
the sale under present conditions, was
a witness during the afternoon. He
said he had been requested to place his
name on the complaint as plaintiff by
| T. A. Graves, vice president of the
Farmers and Merchants bank, in which
| he himself is a stockholder.
Suspected Conspiracy
"I based my belief that there was a
conspiracy on what I saw in the news
papers and what heard on the streets,
| in restaurants and everywhere. said
| the witness. -
Attorney Meserve evinced strong
| desire to discover who had employed
Judge Works, and the latter was quick
to satisfy his curiosity. Il was regu-
IarIy employed by the advisory corn
mittee," said Mr.. Works. "A commit
tee of that body called on me, paid
| me a retaining fee and furnished me
with funds to carry on the matter.
told the committee that / must have