The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-12-21
Piles
UP AGAINST TIE !
GREAT LAKES co.
Refused To Aid Distressed Ship Be-
longing To Competitor and Mani
tested Many Other symptoms Of
'Trustitis,' Witnesses Say.
Brought Out i'll Evidence That Con-
gresham Moran Has Had Gov.
eminent Contracts.

That the Great Lakes Towing Co..
known as the towing trust, refused to
so to the aid of a distressed ship be-
cause 1t was owned by an independsnt
competitor: that il refused 10 take ~
towing job in Buffalo harbor unless
the master OF the vessel asking the
tow would take two tugs when one
was sufficient, and that 1t sold tug to
a Detroit vesselman on condition that
the latter would not engage In the
towing business In competition with
the alleged trust-these were some Ut
the points brought out against the
Great Lakes concern when the taking
OF testimony in the governments
suit to dissolve the corporation was
resumed in the federal building, Wed.
nesday morning. Much of the testi-
mony was highly Illuminating as tend.
Ing TO show further details OF trust
methods, and not little humor was
injected into the proceedings.
United States Attorney William l..
Day, OF Cleveland, who is in charge
OF the case for the government, has
learned that James Il. Davidson, OF
Bay City, a prominent vessel owner.
and who is now or was until recently
vice-president of the Great Lakes
Towing Co., is in this vicinity and Mr..
Day will attempt to secure his at
tendance as witness during the az
ternoon. Mr.. Davidson is interested
In a civil suit now being tried in
Windsor, which also is occupying the
attention of Harvey ID. Gouider, one
of the attorneys for the alleged trust.
.ha n Ia lo$
Hermon Kelley, conducted the CROSS
examination of witnesses, Wednesday
morning.
Mr.. Davidson is regarded as most,
important witness by the government.
and Mr.. Day will make every effort
to obtain service on him. President
Edward Smith, of the towing COM
pany, and Secretary NJ. II. Wardwell
are in constant attendance at the
hearing, but will not be called ON.
They are aiding counsel In the con-
duct of the defense.
Capt. John ID. Baker. brother OF
Capt. Harris w. Baker. the we'll
known wrecker, whose testimony fea-
tured last Saturdays session, was the
star witness of the morning from the
humorous standpoint. He has no
more love for the trust than his broth
er. and his animus was not slow to
manifest itself. The witness Is mas
ter of the steamer Gogebic, owned by
Capt. Harris Baker. Going into Bur
falo Aug. Is last, he testified, his boat
grounded on the lighthouse spit, just
outside the harbor. The accident hap
pened at night and Capt. Baker was
a
in quest of assistance.
81 went to the Office OF the Great
Lakes Towing Co, on the docks there.
and asked for the night superinten-
dent" related the captain. I'm the
man. said fellow who was sittin
there. and | took his word for II.
told him I was stuck on the spit ana
wanted couple of tugs to pull me On.
He looks me over and say, Lemee
see. who owns that boat? Capt. Baker,;
amt it?' You're right says |. Well
saws he, you can't git any tug mere
under any consideration" And L
didn't. But | got her off just the same
with the assistance OF another Vse-
sell"
Attorney Kelley was somewhat dis-
concerned over this testimony.
"As a mater OF fact, Capt. Baker.
wasn't the man you talked with thu
night watchman?" he inquired anx-
iously.
I'm only goin' by what he saiu'
and he said he was the night super
intendent," replied the witness
And did you ever report the mat
fer 10 any of the officials OF the COM
pany?" .,
II reported it to Hagenschlager
1meaning Mr.. Lautenslauger, the But
falo manager). the next morning l
went around TO him and says Weii'
we got 'er of anyway.
"You didn't have much tronpie ia
Getting her off, did you?
at was like slidin' down HILL
Cant. Donald j. Duncanson, master
If the steamer George l.. Craig, testi-
Ged TO an incident that occurred at
DIffalo. some three years ago. he
sent for tug TO assist him in back
ing into one of the docks. Two came
and although one could have done
the work easily. Capt. Duncanson was
told that he would have TO take two
or none.
Then IL will be none" he ar
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