The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-09-02
METHODS USED
TO DEFRAUD
Described by Member Of Rail,
road Car Repair Firm

Chicago Aug. 31-Fred e. -ai1ott.
yard inspector for the OStermann
Manufacturing company, one OF the
concerns charged with grating in III
nois Central railroad car repair con-
tracts, on the witness stand in the
municipal court described in detail
methods which he said were used to
defraud the railroad company.
Barbott said that Illinois Central
cars-in strings" of from ten to four
teen--were switched into the yards OF
the Ostermann plant at the close OF
the working day. Then at night. he
said. Henry c. Ostermann, president
of the Ostermann company. frequently
directed the dismantling OF the cars
Air hose angle cocks, brake shoes,
bolts and various other equipment
were then stripped from the cars, Bar
bolt testified. Water was then ap-
piled to the various parts where
equipment had been removed, the Wit
ness declared. SO that rust would form
and make the absence OF equipment
appear old. The equipment taken
from the cars was kept by the Oster-
mann company said Barbott, to make
repairs. In this way, testified the wit
ness, the railroad company was pay
ing at least twice for much of its car
equipment.
Barbott also declared that some OF
the Illinois Central'S car inspectors
were receiving pay checks from the
Ostermann company and that he had
seen various Illinois Central officials,
including Frank B. Hartman, former
general manager, visit Ostermann OIL
fees in the shop yards.
Barbott said that he had been
foreman for the Illinois Central rail-
road at its Burnside shops for pc
riod of fifteen years. He said that his
position as yard inspector for the Os.
termann Manufacturing company was
secured for him by August Dietrich,
one of the Illinois Central foremen at
the Burnside shops. Barbott said that
he secured his orders direct from Os'
termann.
Adds to His Testimony.
Previous to the appearance of Bar
bolt on the witness stand, Theophi
Reuther added to his testimony Of
Monday in a somewhat sensational
manner
Il was told that John M. Taylor
general storekeeper for the Illinois
Central said Reuther, would fix my
clock if | said anything to anybody
about graft
Reuther then told about visit h'
and his wife made to the Offices o
Taylor and OF subsequent visit tt
William Renshaw, former superin
tendent OF transportation for the Hi
nois Central, who is now in Europe
He said that upon both of these visit
he told of the information of alleges
stealing and graft that he held and o
what was occurring at the Ostermanl
plant. The witness declared that bot
Taylor and Renshaw declared sucl
stealing and graft were Impossible
without their knowledge and that the
knew nothing of it.
Reuther described at considerable
length the occasion when he says
threat was made against his life. H
said that two men, Dietrich and Mi
ligan, visited him at his home and toll
him that they came from John M. Ia!
lor. Reuther testified that the visitor
told him that MIR. Taylor would fl
his clock if he told anything abou
graft" and further said for God
sake, don't talk"
Reuther underwent grilling eros
examination of two hours and a ha
at the hands of Attorney Hoover, fC
the defense. Reuther's testimony, how
ever, was not shaken by the long fiji
of questions.
During the afternoon c. M. Powell
general manager of the American c.
and Equipment company, was pr
scented as a witness, was sworn, an
then excused to be examined later.
1t is said that officials from the ge
eral Offices of the Illinois Central rai
road will be placed on the witne!
stand in an attempt to show exactl
if possible, how much the railros