New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-09
StiIweII's AcCuSer Stronger
Under GrueIIing Cross-Ex-
animation than in d.
rect Testimony.
RETORTS STIR HEARERS
Charges as Heretofore Detailed
Spread Upon Record--Pres-
ence of Albany Alienist
Causes Comment-May
Be for Defence.
tBy Telegraph 10 The Tribune. !


tEv Telegraph 20 The Tribune
Albany. April S-Gecrgc II. Kendall.
president OF the New York Bank Note
Company, was on the witness stand for
more than six hours to-day testfyins
before the Senate Judiciary Committee
in support OF the charges he made that
Senator Stephen J. Stilwell tried 10 eX-
tort $4,000 from him Tor favoring leg
islation and actually took 500 for
drawing the bill in question. Though
he was subjected to Il long and hard
DISCRIMINATION by Edgar \. Wilson.
Stilwell's counsel, his story was not
shaken. Indeed. he showed up much
better as witness after the cross-eX-
animation than ne bad before it was
begun.
Kendall is fifty.ninc years old. but he
gives the impression of being much
older by reason Of his deliberate, even
hesitating manner OF talking and an
swering questions. He picks and
chooses words with an evident desire
TO be precise and well within the legal
technicalities. Moreover. he is SO lit
cral that once he is interrupted in a
sentence he loses the thread Of his dis
course and has to begin all over again.
ON direct examination by Attorney
General Carmody. who acted as counsel
FOR the judiciary Committee. these
characteristics caused him TO become
involved and apparently to wander I'm
his story of the alleged extortion. He
talked at cross purposes with Mr.. Car
mody. and the lawyer for StillweD. by
entering obstructionist's objections in
creased the confusion.
All this ended when after recess Ken
dali was called 10 tho stand for cross
examination. Wilson is a country law
yer OF the old type. shrewd. possessing
apparently a good sense OF humor, but
more inclined TO bully witness and
poke fun AT him than to smooth his
feelings and conduct him suavely along
the path Of testimony.
Witness Hits Back.
This struck fire from Kendall at once.
He was shorter and more direct in his
answers He didn't waver as 10 the
main points OF his direct testimony,
but die fight back at his interrogation
with spirit all the time. Several times
he objected pointedly 10 being inter
rupted when he was giving answers.
''Tf you want to put those words into
son. you had better take the witness
stand and testify under oath"
And once. when Wilson was prodding
him about the part played by George
A. Field vice-president of his COM
pany. in the Stilwell AFFAIR and the
business Of the concern, he retortcd
with double effect on Wilson. and Still
well tep. Field is Kendalrs second
cousin. Wilson had the idea that he
was Kendalrs son-in-law. and after
several questions along that line. said:
you prefer TO recognize him as vice
president rather than az a relative?"
at has never occurred 10 me- replied
Kendall, "to size him up IN any way
particularly, except as a very fine. non
orabo man whom | am proud TO have
In the family"
He is the gentleman who al Nour
request listens Al a second telephone
while YOU are talking" sneered Wilson.
Just correct" rctorted Kendall like
fash when there is a scoundrel az
the other end
The assepblage gasped FOR half q
minute, then snickered. Stilwell's face
turned dull purple. Wilson dropped
that particular phase Of the cross-ex-
animation.
Days Testimony Epitomized.
At the end OF the days proceedings
the committee had spread on its record
testimony which showed:
That Kendall had early in the year
consulted Governor Sulzer about the
monopoly OF printing securities dealt in
on the stock Exchange enjoyed by the
American Bank Note Company.
That Governor Sulzer had referred
him TO Senator Stilwell, who after
various interviews introduced a bill
drafted by Samuel Lewis, jr a clerk
who he'd been presented to Kendall and
Mr.. Field. his associate, by Stilwell.
That Kendall sent to Lewis n $3.50
check, which ne said was intended to
pay Stilwell and was sent TO Lewis Of
his direction. Lewis identified the
check and his Endorsement on II.
That Kendall, later In the negotia-
lions regarding his bill, said he was
solicited by Stilwcll to pay $4,000 10
him Cor four members of the Senate
Codes Committee. who. he said Stilwell
averred, would not favor the bill un-
less they received that sum. and $1,000
for members OF the Assembly commit
tee.
That Kendall held various converse =
tons over the telephone with Stilwell
in which he discussed this alleged bold
ND and that at some Of these converse
tfone other persons were switched In