New-York tribune., 1910-09-22
Mythical Accident Means of d.
verting Railway Money to
Legislators.
TRACY ROGERS TAKES STAND
Saws He Has Aided" Many
Others than Those Men
toned in the Investiga-
tion So Far.

channels leading TO the Legislature was
uncovered by their investigation yester-
day. This was the creation Of a mythical
person who received mythical injuries for
which the Metropolitan Street Railway
paid 5000 Of perfectly good, hard. cold
cash to w w Cole. treasurer Of the Street
Railways Association.
Mr. Coles memory regarding the entire
incident is shOckingly bad-absolutely
blank. in fact-so the graft hunters
haven't been able yet to trace that E.Ooo
beyond him. There is strong impression.
though that by to-day he'll remember
that he paid II into the general legisla-
tive fund of the Street Railways Associa-
ton.
Judge Bruce, counsel TO the graft hunt
efs, hammered this home in vigorous fash
lon. The papers from which he drew his
information were signed by Mr.. Cole as
attorney. Also the 5000 check was in
dorsed by Mr.. Cole Mr.. Cole acknowl-
edges that he Is a civil engineer, that he
never was admitted TO the bar and never
practised law, and that he never heard OF
sthe individual for whom he is supposed TO
have acted as counsel
This incident seems to have disturbed
the peaceful serenity with which he has
regarded the proceedings hitherto Judge
Bruce put the facts before him and then
allowed him TO take the hour Of noon ad-
journment Ito refresh his memory.
When the graft hunt was taken up in the
afternoon ne was asked II he had re-
freshed his memory.
We'll, the only excuse L can give Is
that great number OF vouchers were put
before me to sign"-he began, when
Judge Bruce broke in
Witness Gives II Up.
we don't want excuses, Mr.. Cole; we
want facts"
Il can't remember anything about II,
declared the witness hopelessly.
He was excused until to-day, when he
will be examined further about this.
Judge Bruce and the graft hunters con-
slider this d remarkable proposition in view
Of recent traction history in this city.
| The Metropolitan people for years have
complained that fake" accident cases
were brought against the road in great
numbers In addition to that they main
tatned that the expenses Of operation be-
| cause Of accident Claims In cases where
| accidents virtually were unavoidable were
| too great for operation Of the road at a
profit on a scent fare with transfers
Nothing hitherto has been said by any
! body about fake accident cases being used
to conceal diversion Of railroad moneys
/ into Doodle funds
| Other interesting disclosures OF yester-
/ days session include the fact that H H.
/ VreeIand. president Of the Metropolitan
! system. turned over some $4,000 Of cam
/ paign contributions for the Republicans to
/ LemUel +. Qutgg as a messenger Mr..
| Quigg is the gentleman Of 'acceleration'
| fame Likewise ii was disclosed that
! Tracy Rogers. silent partner in the leg
/ islative clearing house" of ElIIngwood &
! Cunningham, was carrying an account
! Rogers and DIN which Colonel George
W. Dunn. of Binghamton. chairman Of the
Republican state Committee. was inter
ested.
/ Both Parties Got Met" Cash.
( After Judge Bruce obtained from E. NJ.
| Auen secretary Of the shareholders reOr-
/ ganization committee of the New Anlster-
/ dam National Bank a transcript OF II. H
( VreeIand's account there. Mr. Vreeland was
/ called to the stand. The railway man
/ seemed to have forgotten his passage al
arms with Judge Bruce last week. He
/ was almost as genial he used TO be
| when ordering reporters from his office.
/ He said that the Metropolitan never dis
/ crtmiuated between the political parties in
making contributions TO the campaign
/ funds Such contributions he thought,
/ had been discontinued after 1903 The peo-
pie concerned. he said. had recognized a
/ sentiment against contributions TO national
/ campaign funds. and as 1904 was a national
campaign year nothing was done.
The SO. 900 given 10 the Republicans and
/ or 1893 would not show on the Metropoli-
/ tans books Mr. Vreeland said This was
| carried along by loans. and finally was
| paid off by q Metropolitan check TO him
| He hadn't any very definite notion how
| the money was handed 70 the political
people until Judge Bruce refreshed his
memory by asking II he hadn't testified ones
/ that Mr.. Quigg acted as messenger for the
! Republicans Then he remembered that
He couldn't remember who acted in a
similar capacity for the Democrats-mereIy
that somebody got the cash. The pay
ments always We're made in cash. Nc
! checks were accepted These loans were
/ taken up by check TO Mr. Vreeland OF
| $37. 1872 So for principal and interest. on
| April % 1904
! Answering questions by Judge Bruce
Vreeland told OF another method of max
| ing campaign contributions. This consist
ed in taking up stocks held by politicians
when the situation got too tight for them tc
hold on to the securities any longer The
Metropolitan always paid for these shares
Mr. Vreelaud said
! Vreeland Hazy Regarding Details.
| He was pretty hazy regarding details He
didn't know well whether contributions
ranged $500 or $4,000 when made in this way
He thought in some cases the amount was
more than $4,000. He didn't pretend to
know through which brokerage houses this
had been done. Judge Bruce named a num-
! ber but Vreeland wouldn't try to identity
any one. He said the Metropolitan In It's
time had dealt with practically every house
/ of Importance in the city.
| He remembered. for instance. tSat In 1915
the Metropolitan bought through Moore 4
Schlev about 100000 OF Electric Storage
/ Battery stock He thought this was purely
] a business transaction He could remem-
Der no connection between this and the
GoodseH Fifth avenue stage coach bill. he
remembered Speaker Nixon. He had known
him and Senator GOodselI and Assembly
man Bedeu. but didn't remember talking
stocks with them Still he might have done
so and told them that Trans" was a good
purchase as his acquaintAnces frequently
asked him for advice regarding stock pur-
| chaseS.
Next Mr. Cole was called and asked tc