Evening star., 1909-06-05


to question Of personal privilege. made
he following statement in the Senate
this afternoon regarding the indictment
returned against him az one OF the di-
rectors of the Pittsburg Silver Peak Min
ing Company yesterday:
There appeared this morning in the
public press a dispatch from Goldheld,
New. stating that certain officers and
directors of a Nevada mining company,
among them myself as one of the di-
rectors had been indicted by the county
grand jury for conspiring to defraud the
state of certain taxes on bullion. The
charge is that the company rendered
false statement to the collector and that
the directors and officers sanctioned false
bookkeeping in order to carry out their
conspiracy.
1t is due to this Senate, of which !
have but recently become a member to
state that l have no personal knowledge
of the facts upon which these cases are
based. l never had any intimation even
that such proceedings were contemplated
or impending. / knew nothing about
them whatever until advised yesterday
by telegraph. My understanding is that
my name, with some others, is included
in the list of the defendants merely be-
| cause we happened to be directors Of
the company.
"Details in matters of this kind in
volved in this proceeding were not sub
mitted to the general officers of the COM
pany, but were attended to by the local
management in Nevada. In justice to
these latter officials. however. it should
be said that In rendering statements of
profits and taxes due, they were advised
at every step by one of the most eminent
law firms in that state, the senior mem
ber Of which is now the representative
for Nevada in the Congress of the United
States.
No Illegal Acts.
Since learning of the indictment, l am
assured that no illegal acts were COM
mitted, as charged.
Blythe merest accident / heard Incl
dentally a few days ago that there was
a contention between the authorities OF
Nevada and the company as to the
amount of taxes properly due, but l as
as may arise in the adjustment of an
account of that nature with any COM
pany. and that If it were determined
finally that the corporation In question
had not met its obligations fully, TINS
would be done in the ordinary course of
business.
Il desire to make my denial of any
completely in this affair either construc
| lively or actually. az emphatic and sweep
ing as possible l have never knowingly
violated the laws of any state and under
no circumstances would ! consent to or
be 4 party In their violation by men with
whom might be associated in business.
Indictments at Goldfeld.
| GOLDFIELD, New, June 5.-Indict
ments were returned by the Esmeralda
county grand jury yesterday against the
| following officers and directors Of the
Pittsburg Silver Peak Mining Company,
owners of one of the largest mines In the
state, situated at Blair:
William Finn. president George r.
| Oliver. vice president, r. J. Crump. sec
retary treasurer; John S. Weller. general
counsel, all of Pittsburg; George o. Brad
| ley, general manager. Blair, New; Direc-
tors Ralph +. Finn and j. G. Splane of
Pittsburg, Charles Y. Fuller and Nj. A.
Carton of Utica, N. Y: Frank knox,
Salt Lake City. and J. II. Brown, VIII
mington, Del.
| George T. Oliver is the recently elected
millionaire United States senator from
Pennsylvania. He is the largest individ-
| ual stockholder In the company. VIII
| liam Finn Is the millionaire ex-state
| senator of Pennsylvania and a power in
republican politics Of that commonwealth
Conspiracy Charged.
The indictments are for conspiracy to
de1rdud the STATE OF Nevada on DuillOn
lax by returning a false statement.
During the recent trip of State License
and Bullion Tax Collector J. f. Haley
| and Deputy District Attorney George
Springmeyer to the Pittsburg Silver Peak
property 1t was found, 1t is charged, that
| the charge made for reduction of ore from
the mine was at 81 ton. and that this
amount had been fixed with the sanction
| and knowledge of officials residing In
Pittsburg 1t Is said the actual cost of
| reduction amounts to only $1.1O ton.
Dispute Over Bookkeeping.
PITTSBURG. June 5.-News of the in
dictment of Senator Oliver. ex-State
Senator Finn. John 8. Weller and other
rich Pittsburgers caused a furry last
night in Pittsburg. where most of the
stock Of the Pittsburg Silver Peak Min
| ing Company Is held.
The Pittsburg men claim there is a
conspiracy between certain Nevada and
| New York interests TO get possession.
Mr.. Weller said last night that the
Nevada authorities demand taxes on all
bullion after the actual cost of mining,
| transportation and reducing the ore has
been deducted The Pit;sburgers have
been creditng themselves with a profit
| for smelling their own ores. This the
Nevada authorities will not countenance.
and there have been disputes over the re-
| turns made To the state
| Messrs. Oliver. Finn and Weller claim