The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-06-11

Wilson replied that 'cOst great deal
Of money to control the liquor busl-
ness in South Carolina'' and intimat-
ed that the commissions we're not all
for himself.
Mr.. Curiel had turned over to Mr..
Lyon a number Of letters from Leon
Bamberg, a relative of Commissioner
Crum, all of which were brought out
in the former hearing Of the legisla-
tive committee. The affidavit con-
cluded with an earnest disavowal of
having paid any graft, rebates or d.
rect commission in South Carolina
and he never dealt directly with any
agent of the State.
Commissions Were Easy.
Col. Fielder read the affidavit, which
Mr.. Curiel under oath affirmed, and
asked many questions. Mr.. Fielder
pulled it out that the New York and
Kentucky company had paid Briggs
Wilson more than $4,000 and approx
imately $4,000 in commissions. The
total sales to the dispensary were
$l30,0O0 in five years. Col. Fielder
brought out the astonishing statement
that J. S. Farnum, relative OF
Briggs Wilson, was also getting COM
missions and that quarrel between
the brothers-in-law resulted.
Witness declared flatly that he had
never paid any of the commissioners
Or clerks anything. He afterwards
admitted that he had loaned G. II.
Charles $3.50, but . this was after
Charles left the dispensary. Charles
recited that he was in precarious fl
nancial condition and needed this
money. The check was drawn from
Curiel's private bank account on the
Corn Exchange bank. He considered
it apart from the dispensary business.
When the State dispensary was
closed there was $4,000 worth Of
goods returned to Curiel's house. He
had paid no commission on this and
had demanded none back. he said, IN
reply to Col. Fielder. He had paid no
commission on business received dur
ing the last administration (Rawlln-
son, Black and Wylie).
Denied Giving Money.
Mr.. Curiel was asked if in GER
tain room at Wright's hotel he had
had an interview with a diSpensary
official. He denied this.
did you not take off, your lett
shoe and remove $500 therefrom and
give to this man to get business IN
South Carolina?"
1T is absolutely false,' replied
the witness.
"And if this man would swear to
it,"
''It would be false"
did you pay any commissions to
your agents in checks Or all In cur
>:is;M
The witness denied ever paying any
Mr.. Curiel said he had paid Far
mum $4,000 which Farnum claimed
was due under an agreement with
man named Sim who represented
Curiel. Curiel declared Farnum's
Job a holdup. They had no agree
ment. Farnum had threatened to at
tach Curiel's funds at the State dis
oensary and he was blackmailed into
paying commission.
Col. Fielder erilled the witness on
a series Of questions as to why these
large commissions should be paid
without an understanding and IN
such an unbusiness-like manner. Was
no record kept? Was there no regu-
lar basis? How did he know how
% pay? :. L
"What basis did you figure COM
missions on?"
"They figured, 1 had no basis,'
replied witness. "They did not say
hat the commissions were>t to be paid
10 directors but the implication was
very plain,' stated witness.
Col. Fielder rather worried Mr..
Curiel By a certain line Of questions.
Why had he not brought the voucher
10 show that he had paid Charles
$3.50? Witness replied it was a prl-
7ate matter. Mr.. Fielder declared that
be is prepared to refute witness
statement that the check was for $lo0
and that Charles was not employed
at the State dispensary. Mr.. Cunel
was asked if he had brought down his
correspondence with Briggs N. Will
son and Jas. S. Farnum. This, also,
he said, he deemed to be private, and
he had not included such letters.