The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-09

1895 to show that the second $4,000 was
not paid into the company. and analysed
other Increases in capital since that time
What are you fighting for. If every
thing is all right?' he asked, turning to
Attorney Goldsborough. Lets have the
sunlight let in on some of these transac-
tons. Why don't you come out in the
open and fight? Show your hand! Bring
your executive officers before this fair
and impartial committee and let them ex-
plain things themselves. instead OF send
ing paid expert from Buffalo.
why. this company is trying to In
crease capitalization by Offering debt
Where is their debt? Let's see it. There
is strong rumor that their own stock
holders are divided on this question. The
/ conservatives are for holding back and
/ doing what is right. but those radicals
want to fight this committee and this
resolution OF Mr.. Godfrey II is perfectly
natural that they want to overrule you.
1t is natural that John r. Mclean Is
willing 10 lie down one night with hts
holdings in the company and wake up the
next morning and find them doubled.
Compares II to Roulette.
Why. this proposition will beat Wall
street methods. the transactions of Stand
ard OIL or the certainty OF a roulette
wheel. where the marble is fixed to fall
in the right number every whirl." con-
tinued Mr.. Hazelton. THAT board of
directors and these officers are a bright
set Of men. They are money makers. OF
course. they want to keep the consumer
down.
''Goldsborough. there. can't sleep nights.
Think Of it-more millions 10 divide. And
the only thing that stands in the way
is this honest committee and this Coud-
rey resolution.
Put the searchlight on them. Get them
before you and ask them about these
things that I have told you They can't
give you satisfactory answers. They
bring DR. Humphreys here from Buffalo
to talk to you. He is no doubt an hon
est man, but he is an advocate-he is
talking for the gas company"
Decide TO Change Tactics.
During the morning proceedings there
was growing dissatisfaction among the
members Of the committee at the turn
the investigation was taking. Repre- |
sentatives Cary, Coudrey, Aiken. and |
Pearre repeatedly asked for more ex-
plicit information. and showed a desire
Tor more thoroughgoing methods Of prob /
ing.
Or. Humphreys was on the stand prac-
tieally much of the time. giving plausible /
explanations of cases of alleged harsh |
treatment Of consumers. and explaining
technical points under the questioning OF
the committee.
Mr. Cary asked him how much the gas
company is paying him for the testimony
and Or, Humphreys answered that he
had not decided what he would charge.
and that It was his private business any
way.
When Chairman Smith called the com
mittee together at o'clock last night.
DR.. Humphreys asked If it would be-
permissible for Attorney Goldsborough
to appear in his place to explain some of
the things he could not. There were
several objections. and the chairman
ruled that DR.. Humphreys continue
Asks How Much He Knows.
DO you know more about the affairs
of this company than its officers dor"
Dir. Godfrey asked the expert.
No, but I can present them In better
form. answered DR.. Humphreys
You mean you can make them look
better for the company" said Mr..
Pearre.
We want 10 find out what the capac-
tiles and duties % these various officers
are and what they know" said Mr. Coud- {
rey, and Mr. Humphreys was excused.
The gas expert offered figures of the {
financial dealings of the company for the {
past ten years, but he admitted that
this was hearsay evidence, prepared by
company officers, and Mr. Cary objected
to its admission to the records.