The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1910-08-01
.COULSON TAKES
STAND In SPITE
OF HIS COUNSEL
Says He Overchareed City in
City Hall Work by Reason
Of Conspiracy.
First Met Upon Bank Of
Silent River.
ARTS a TALBOT DON'T TALK.

Mart Coulson ignored his attor-
ney's advice not to testify at the pre-
llmdnary hearing Of the alleged
plumbers trust in police court this
morning and told about his own ex-
orbitant profits
After a delay of half an hour the
trial was begun at 1890 O'Clock. At
torney X. T. Lightfoot entered a de-
murrer to the warrant on the
grounds that 1t did not alege the
lagreed price of materials; but Judge
Cross overruled II. holding that no
fixed price had been maintained, ow-
ing to fiuctuation.
City Auditor Alex Kirkland was
sworn and turned over the specifica-
tons for the construction OF the
third story addition to the city hail.
Contractor Jack Cole was called for,
but failing to answer, the common
wealth introduced Mart NJ. Coulson,
after objections OF Attorney Light
foot as to the legality of his testi-
mony. owing TO his being defendant
The court overruled the objections
Attorney Lightfoot warned Mr..
Coulson not to answer any questions,
Saying that AN evidence he gave
might be used against him by the
prosecution in any further prosecu-
ton. Mr.. Coulson did not heed the
warning.
lie said he installed a washstand
On the third floor OF the. city hall.
,harging SIS. which was IS above
the market price. He placed a bowl
n the mayors Office for the same fig
ire. making the same profit. He also
Installed a toilet for SOS. which
should have been sold for between
s15 and $40. ne said.
At this juncture Attorney Light
foot objected TO the evidence. insofar
rs Mr.. Coulson refused to act, &C
,ording to his suggestions.
Mr.. Coulson theI said he furnished
the heating and other fixtures for the
addition. He said his bid n the
work was $S16. as he remembered,
md II was verbal.
He then told of the alleged trust"
'ormed by himself and Messrs. Han
nan, Arts and Talbot. He said they
had several meetings and agreed tol
get together and divide up work. He
aid he was to have the city hall job.
Mr.. Hannah the fire station and Arts
Z Talbot the Frederick fats on North !
Sixth street. He said he was to put
in bid on the city hall work and the |
others in the conspiracy were to send
u higher bids than his. The same
plan, he said, was carried out on
other work 80 az to let the Others
have their defined work. He said |
Mr.. Humans price on the fire station
work was about 5000 over what II
hould have been.
He said their first agreement was
IN August, 1909. and the first meet
| Ing was held on the river bank at the
foot of Washington street. They
| held a second meeting he said few
nights afterwards at Mr. Humans
shop. He explained that they would
tell each other what they would bid
and the one appointed to get the
work would get II. When cross-ex-
amined by Mr.. Lightfoot, he said
there was no agreement on specific
items or fixtures, but on the whole
Job. Mr.. Coulson said he "bucked'
against Arts & Talbot on the Fried |
rich fats job, because they were go
ing too high.
Examined by Attorney w. A. Ber-
~. Mr.. Coulson admitted that he
lover-charged $3.50 on the city hall
third story work. or in other words
he could have reduced his bid that
much and made good profit. The
profits he said varied.
Mr.. Coulson said all bids were
close together to prevent any suspic-
ion. There was no fixed tame for the
lexistence of the conspiracy and he
said IL lasted about three months. He
denied knowing the price Mr.. Han
nan paid for his material for the fire
station or the kind used.
| Contractor b. T. Davis was intro
lduced and said he submitted bids for
the construction Of the fire station
and city hall. He said he received
bids from Hannah, Coulson and Arts
a. Talbot but did not remember what
they we're. He said they seemed rea-
sonable TO him.
Prior to Mr.. Davis testimony
County Attorney Clay desired to In
troduce Arts & Talbot, but they act
ed upon advice of their attorney not
lto testify. Contractor William
Karnes said he put in bids on the
three Jobs, but did not remember