New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-31
STEWART FAILS TO
IDENTIFY CAFFNEY
introduced" by Whitman,
but with No Sign of
Recognition by Either.
CONTRACTOR IN LONG
GRAND JURY SESSION
Gaffney Refuses to Waive lmmu+
nifty When Asked to Testify in
John Doe Inquiry.

nifty When Asked TO Testify in
John Doe Inquiry.
James G. Stewart told the grand jury
| yesterday that he went 20 Tammany
Hall and read the riot act to the
Chief the very day James + Gaffney
asked him for S15O.o0O while the Canal
Board was considering Stewart's S3,
oOoooo bids on barge canal contracts
Murphy said he would look into the
matter" said Stewart. When he went
/ TO Murphy again about week later
to see whether he had looked into the
matter" Murphy wouldn't see him.
Stewart testified
Stewart refused positively 10 identify
the James T.. Gaffney who called at
his Office in December, 1912. as Muir
phys friend. He testified however
/ that he told Murphy it was Gaffney.
and said he told George Gordon Bat
tie. his counsel; Senator james A.
| O'Gorman and Almuth c. Nandiver,
members OF the law firm, and pos
sibly number of other persons that
it was James f. Gaffney who tried to
hold him up. Stewart was before the
grand jury nearly two hours and a
half. He will be examined further
next week-probably on Tuesday
oaffney Won't Waive immunity.
District Attorney Whitman asked
Gaffney yesterday if he was willing TO
sign waiver of immunity and testify
either before the John Doe inquiry or
the grand jury, Gaffney conferred with
his lawyers and refused to do So
4 dramatic meeting between Stewart
and Gaffney. arranged by Whitman.
| took place in the District Attorneys
private Office IN the Criminal Courts
building about mid afternoon. Whit
man sent note TO Gaffney early in the
DAY asking him to come down TO his
office with his lawyer. Gaffney called
with James A. DeerinS and j. c. Toole
OF the firm Of Deering & Deering arriv
ing about 2:1O p. III.
Whitman took Gaffney into his pri-
vate office and asked him If he was
willing to meet Stewart right there and
be introduced to him. Gaffney talked
with the lawyers and agreed to it,
While the party was smoking the Dis
trict Attorneys cigars Stewart arrived
with his brother Alexander Stewart
and Stewards lawyer Mr.. Vandiver.
With unconcealed embarrassment
Stewart was ushered into the room, and
Whitman With perfect gravity, intro
duced Gaffney TO Stewart, to Stewards
brother and to Mr.. Vandiver.
How do you do?" said Stewart. with
a nervous acknowledgment Of Gaffneys
ready handshake, but without a sign
Of recognition,
How are YOU" replied Gaffney, with
apparent ease, as he shook the contrac
tors hand. All hands remained in the
room about twenty minutes. Part of
the time they we're alone for Whit
man went into the grand jury room 10
examine John A. Bensel, the State En-
gineer. In rela ton to the alleged hold
up" Of Stewart's bids
When Gaffney came out he was
smoking one of Whitman's cigars and
smiling his best.
q W a q
! asked.
you'll have TO ask Judge Whitman"
Didn't Talk Much Baseball"
Pressed for details of the converse
ton, Gaffney said they didn't talk
much baseball"
Judge Whitman smokes splendid
cigars-I guess I'll have to send the
Judge a season pass this year" he said
with a hearty laugh.
Did you recognize Stewart?'
There were two Mr.. Stewarts. One
of them had a mustache.'
The one without the mustache was
the one who charged that you asked
him for S15O,OO0"--
Il didn't know one from the other"
replied Gaffney.
II was learned later that when asked
by the District Attorney whether he
recognized Stewart Gaffney consulted
his lawyers and declined TO answer.
Stewart was accompanied by the Dis
trict Attorney. who strode grimly
through the private corridor leading TO
the library Of the General Sessions
Judges. Stewart hurried along TO keep
pace with him, talking earnestly the
while.
Stewart Deeply Moved.
In the library Stewart clutched Whit
-....... md thc Ia tor usi nG