Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-03-06

own defense this morning before the
The defense took up its case by call
ing w. Holt Apgar. counsel for the
Pennsylvania railroad. He testified
that he had talked with Fitzherberf on
the acetylene bills and told the senator
that the "Pennsy'' was not Interested
in his bill because it did NOT use ace
tylene except In the headlights Wit
ness said he asked E'itzherbert 10
amend the bill to take care OF the
headlights and Fftzherbert promised 70
DO SO.
Fitxherberf Is Called,
Fitzherbert was the next witness
He stood up while testifying. He gave
his occupation as lawyer. On direct
examination by Mr.. Edwards he said
he knew DR.. George s. Ridner
Where does Ridner iiveg"
IN 5uccasunna."
Fltzherbert said he was helped II
his campaign by Ridner and had tried
TO have him appointed to the State
Board of Equalization of Taxes.
Fitzherbert declared that both sem
ate 70 and lle We're introduced BIZ the
explained that when he was asked 70
introduce the bills he looked them over
carefully to see how they fitted Ti<h
the crimes aetz--s1z adEssttsd he AZ
/ not know much of aeetyfene biffs But
was familiar with explosions that have
taken place as a result Of acetyIent
Electric Lights Cast shadow.
WHO came to see you about these
bills
"air Holt Apgar Mr. Apgsr said
electricity was dangerous for head
light because it cast shadow / said
the object of the bill vas to save peo
pie, not to injure them. ana for that
reason / said I would amend them .
Did you have any interest in fhs
bill?"
No
Did you on Saturday. February r.
receive a telephone message2r
Yes. from some one whose name I
did not know who wanted an appoint
ment"
Fitzherbert explained he did moi
know what the man wanted. but made
an appointment at his office. He then
said that he left his Office before the
man arrived, but that Wisehart came
to his home.
81 never saw him before
Did he say he came from Mr.
Ostby7"
No
Did you know ostby7"
Never heard of him"
Did you know about the Acetylene
Company"
No, not by title
He then related that Wisehart toto
him he was from the Commercial Ace
tylene Company and declared the bill
was unjust because it would put his
company out of business
Witness then said he told Wisehzri
about the objection made by the Penn
sylvania railroad, which he would
meet with amendments
Wisehart then, it is alleged, told him
about Ridner's appearance in New
York
"wisehart then said. Do you think
for 5000 you would withdraw thess
bills?'
Z got up and told him, Young man
L there is any money consideration IN
this | would have nothing to do with
lt
He then continued to talk about the
injustice of the bills and asked me to
sec the backer 1 told him, Mr.. Wise
hart l will see the baeker Of the bill
and viii tell him about the unjusf
character of the bill, and If he agreed
to withdraw them / would p"
Did you tell him that you would ask
the hacker 70 withdraw them for
5,000?"
'I did not.
Fitzherbert also said he had never
had money proposition put up to him
before
What did you do after wiseha,k
left?'
Sunday 1 called up Ridner
What did you say to him?''
Il told him I wanted to see him on
an important matter and he came to
my office in an automobile"
What did you say to him."
II told him there was something
wrong about the bills and wanted them
Withdrawn
Fitzherbert then explained thar he
told Ridner why, and related the s60oa
offer.
Ridner is said to have said II MAS .
good bill and ought to be passed Fltz
herbert then said that, good or bad he
wanted them dropped
What did Ridner say about having
been offered money!"
.'That was not discussed
did Ridner consent to have the biiik
withdrawn"
YES II felt thar way about it
-aa- -.