New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-02
Checks for Legal Services, but
Cash as JuriSt'S 55 Per Cent
Share of City Contracts,
He Declares.
HOLDS RECEIPTED BILL
Contractor Denies "Continu-
ing Retainer" for Supreme
Court Justice as Coun-
sci for Victor Heat
ing Company.

John A. Connolly, the contractor who
accused Justice Daniel F. Cohalan of
having eXacted 20 per cent of the net
profits of all city work the Supreme
Court justice obtained for Connolly's
concern, the Victor Heating Company,
replied further last night to Justice
Cohalan's explanation of his financial
relations with him.
Mr. Connolly declared that Justice
Cohalan was rever retained by him as
a lawyer on continuing retainer. as
the justice Greged, and acted only as
his counsel on two different occasions.
once in 1898, in a family matter, and
the second time in 1904, during the
first year that Justice Cohalan and
Connolly. according to the latter, en-
tered into a sort Of secret partnership.
Mr.. Connolly produced the bill rem
dered by Justice Cohalan for this sec
ond service and the check bearing Jus
tice Cohalans Endorsement. This was
the only time, Mr.. Connolly declared.
that he had engaged Justice COhalan
as counsel for the Victor company.
Not Permanent Counsel.
Mr.. Connollys statement, in part, fol-
lows:
Justice Cohalan. in his lengthy
statement, declares he was retained by
me under a continuing retainer as
counsel for the Victor Heating Com
pany. This is not true. The only time
| ever engaged Justice Cohalan as
counsel for the Victor Heating Com
pany was in 1904, when my partner.
Georg" O'Hanlon. wanted to get out of
the company because of my % per
cent agreement with Justice Cohalan.
an agreement that he did not like. In
fact. Mr.. O'Hanlon brought suit 10 dis
solve tho partnership. II was then
that retained Justice Cohalan. Mr..
O'Hanlon wanted 10 get out. as I said.
and he wanted to get into another
firm doing the same line OF business.
The matter never reached q head, for
it was settled out of court by my buy
ing in Mr.. O'Hanlon's stock.
THAT was the second time that en-
gagged Justice Cohalan as lawyer.
The first time was some years back. in
1898. when ! wanted some family mat
ters attended 10. Justice Cohalan
charged me Sl0J for the first service he
rendered 10 me as a lawyer, ana /
promptly paid him. For the second
legal service he also rendered me bill.
and promptly paid him, by check. In
the second case have in my possession
a receipted bill and the cancelled check.
showing Justice Cohalan's Endorsement.
The reason | did not engage Justice
Cohalan 10 do the legal work for the
Victor Heating Company there
was considerable to be done, for | en-
gagged some five or six or seven lawyers
in all-was because he was too high
priced. considered $500 too high. in
view OF the fact that he had a personal
interest in the Victor Heating Com
pany.
"On August |. 1905, | gave a $1,000
gold bill 10 Justice Cohalan as his
share Of the profits of the Victor Heat
ing Company. his share being 50 per
cent. Then I asked him why he hadn't
billed FOR the services rendered about
year back. He said something about
not wanting TO press me too hard. and
| told him TO send in the bill right
away. He did, and | paid il promptly.
and have the check with his indorse-
ment on the back. and the stamp OF the
National Shoe and Leather Bank.
showing that it was paid August 80.
1905.