Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1912-08-15

ouDJeCl NdS COIlDlGIOu,
 Mir. Hearn-Mr. Oracle, even in that conversation, there was no mention of bribery, whatever?
 MT. Gracie-No, no mention what soever, of bribery. Just simply a conversation, looking, if possible to- wards some amicahle or compromise adjustment of the differences between the Commission and the people. I think MT. Collier is referring to an incident that happened long before Christmas or right after Christmas, if 1 remember correctly, when MT. James A. Gray, of Little Rock, came to me on behalf of, as he said, c. c. kavanaugh, and state, that if I would get right and get Mr. John M. Oracle right on this Bridge proposition, that he would see, that is Kavanaugh, that l was taken care of ill a financial way when it came to the building of the Little Rock and Pine Bluff in- terurban. MT. Gray made this state- ment to me for the reason that he and l are very good personal friends and had been partners for several years and when we were had repre- sented an interurban project which failed, the purpose of which was to build an interurban between Little Rock and Pine Bluff. That's the only time since my connection with the bridge fight that any offer has been made to me of financial reward for joining forces with those in favor of the bridge and then it was under stood that it was not for the purpose of getting ne in line, rather to have mo influence MT. John M. Oracle to Withdraw his opposition te it, and didn't come, and it was 50 under stoed by lae at tha time in any Haj-, from this Commission, CT aay menl- Der of It.
 MT. Hearn-Thank you.
 MT. Gracie-My recollection is that 4Ai. 0Aoy e1Au Hdu lulS COHP6iSd- tion either in December or just after Christmas.
 Mr Nunn--I would like to ask if MT. Gray is connected with the Com mission either in a legal capacity or financial or any other way.
 Mr Gracie-Mr Gray is not con nected in any way, shape or form, except indirectly, except that he, John M. Rose and one or two others were stockholders and organizers of an interurban railroad promoted by fly-by-night financier, named Fisk, which failed when Fisk disappeared over night. And 1 am informed by stockholders in that defunct concern that in consideration for whatever rights or property there was belong lns to that old company-$76,0 ,000 or S1o,0G0 of stock ill the new interur- han, which is now in existence, would be divided among those old stock. holders in the defunct concern. otheWise, Mir. Gray has no connec- ton with or authority to speak for this Commission in any way that know of.
 MT. Nunn-Well, do you know whether this Commission has any, thing to do with the interurban or own any stock in it, any individual or had anything to do with it in any way.
 MT. Gracie-I do not.
 Mr.. Hearn-Any further questions the Commission wants to ask? Qn- termission). The meeting will come to order
 MT. Carmichael-Mr Collier wants to finish his statement l believe.
 MT Collier-Mr President. I don't Know the time, perhaps thirty days ago, l was ill Little Rock. I think 1t was just before or just after the Federal Court lAroceedings. I met MT. Reid in the Southern Trust building, stopped and shook hands With him, We were on 'the lowed floor. He said, "I want to have a little talk with you. 1 want to see II you people wont quit your oppo-1 sltion and stop this fight and let us build this street car' He said, q can make some money out of it. The people l represent can make some | money out of it, and Little Rock will make some money out of it." and he got that far and I said, '.there isn't any use to go any further, we can't go any further" inferred from what he said that it was leading up to something else and I said, i've won't discuss the subject at all." Then shook hands with him and talked With him little while on other sub- ects and then he left and I went on ID to MT. Gracie's office and related