The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1910-06-30
DEFENSE IS HEARD
FORMER MANAGER FISCHER DE,
MES He PROMISED DOUBLE
TRACK ON COMMERCIAL.
Other Witnesses Corroborate His TIES.
timony-Big Four Objections to
be Heard Today--Argu-
mentc Win Follow

Former General Manager L. r
Fischer of the Cairo Traction Co. and
the cairo and ST. Louis railroad was
on the witness staaa all OF yesterday
morning and part of the afternoon
He stated very positively that he had
not told Mayor Rarsons and the CITY
council that when the Commercial
avenue pavement was built the con-
panies would put in a double track
on that street The attorneys for the
defense tried TO prove that Mr..
Fischer had no authority to make any
such promise and that matters Of such
importance are always referred to
Mr.. Mckinley for his approval before
committing the company to them. AT
tofney Leek for the city objected 10
the attempt 10 show that Mr.. Fischer
was without authority in this matter.
Judge Dewey sustained this objection
Mr.. Fischers evidence was inter.
rupted frequently by argument by
both sides and by citations from an
thorities. The whole question of the
case seems TO hang. according to At.
torney Leek upon question OF
veraeity between Mayor Parsons. Al
derman Nellis and former Alderman
Meehan on one side and former Gen
eral Manager Fischer and several
other witnesses on the other side.
After a severe cross examination
of Mr. Fischer General Manager Nc
Laughlin was called. His testimony
mainly was sought by the railroad
company 10 show that the cost of the
concrete work for the foundation for
the double track was excessive; that
this work could be done equally as
well in different manner al about
half the cost, Attorney Leek objected
70 this testimony and the objection
was sustained by the court.
Deputy Circuit Clerk John NJ.
Dewey was called upon to produce
the record which contained the bylaw
Of the company which Attorney Lans-
den Introduced in evidence to show
several points Attorney Leek asked
if any mention was made in the bv
laws of a general manager and his
duties to which Mr. Lanslen answered
mo.
Hon. Reed Green testified that h.
was present at the meetings of the
city council Nov. 10th and 18th, 1903
at the time of The first and second
readings of the franchise ordinances
That MI Fischer was present at both
He stated he could not re.
peat what Mr.. Fischer had said. "lI
couldn't tell You the substance OF Mr.
Fischer's remarks. 70 my recollec.
ton | cannot say that | saw Mr.
Fischer present at the committee
on the night Of Nov. s, 1908,
believe / can make a definite state.
ment that he was not present at this
| think | would have seen
him if he had been there"
John c. Fisher, editor of the Citi
zen. testified he was present at the
Nov. 10th meeting of the council
when the franchise ordinance was on
its first reading; saw Mr. Fischer
there the evening Of the second real
ing. He made no statement concern
ing the double tracking Of CONNER
cial avenue He would have known
II Mr., Fischer had made such a prom
Sc, because he interviewed him after.
ward on the subject when he slate.
that the company would not consider
the double tracking until crcum
stances warranted 1t. Mr. Fisle
had refeAfs his memory by refer
ring to cop -fof his paper as to dates
Of the meeting and other information.
Mr.. Leek objected to the testimony
Of Mr.. Fisher relating to the private
interview and the objection was sus.
tanned. Mr., Leek asked the witness
If he had any Independent recollec
ion without reference to his paper OF
what was said at that meeting, to
which Mr.. Fisher replied Il have M
independent recollection"
John s. Aisthorpe former treasurer
Of the Cairo Traction Co. testified he |
was present at these meetings: saw
former General Manager Fischer of |
hesa meetings. Mr.. Fiseaer made
ak at first meeting At this time | |
think Mr.. Fischer sat beside me. At |
he second meeting he sat in chair |
beside the mayor. remember he
stated to the council that he "hoped
he ordinances as passed would |
satisfy his company"
Hal r. Aisthorpe testified he at, |
ended the first meeting. Mr.. Fischer
sat at the right Of the mayor. Heard
him thank the council and hoped the
ordinance would be satisfactory to his
company
Shortly after the closing of the ties.
imouy for the defense court adj |
ourned to o'clock this morning. To |
lay testimony will he, taken regard |
ns the objections raised by the Big
-Four.