Omaha daily bee., 1914-07-23

Q.-Csn you tell about any convorsa-
ton you had with him with reference "a
the reducing Of the price OF the ----? A.
Yes had a long talk about the 21st; ]
would not say whether II was the 2ist; ]
think Il was Saturday that I finally got
all the commissioners together: I had
talked with them all in person around
the office there for days and days, and
Mr.. Mcdonald had in the first place.
favored the buying OF the burner. and
then he had taken Il up with Mr. Lynch
and they suggested that we make a test
In the Detention home with one boiler;
had asked Mr. webber, from Fort
Scott, 70 come up here the engineer Of
the company. and go over the general
hospital plant and make an estimate,
which was the basis Of written PROPOSE
ton which is now in the hands OF the
commissioners. containing specifications
for the installation Of the burner. when
they suggested l put II in the Dentention
home as a test and We went with Com
missioner Best one morning 10 the Deten-
ton home and found that the burner
could not be installed in the boiler be-
cause OF the fire shield small fire
box; renewed my efforts 20 put them
into the general hospital and there have
been many conversations with the com
Vnissioners. one or two or three Of them
and when they we're all together About
that time Mr.. Lynch objected on accoun.
Of the price, and he began to obtain data
OF the cost Of the various parts OF the
devios; for instance, he quoted tho cast
iron price at 20 much a pound, and
asked him IL that was what he got as a
4ksar shan ~ Inc NanN
plant; whether he got cast iron prices Or
plumbing prices; and we went over tho
whole proposition In that way, and he
Raid the price was too high. and he never
would 90 before tho taxpayers and say
tho county has bought it at that price
my argument being II did not cost them
anything and that It would pay for itself.
because We took our pay monthly out OF
the savings. as established by the test 10
b. made at our expense: he at that time
uHid that the price ought TO be some
where between 500 and t1,too. as 1 re-
member
o.-For three boilers? A-The three
boilers in the general hospital and said
10 him and ! said 10 the other commits
Bioners that II 1 could put 1t into the
general hospital II would he worth ten
pages OF newspapr advertising, but
would not cut the price; would not cut
the price in two because II would destroy
my list price. and we had 10 pay so much
20 the holders OF the patents and we had
20 make our overhead charges and nv
expenses OF the selling outfit and the rest
was profit and we would not let anybody
dictate that profit, and said 10 tho
commissioners NJ they were all together,
that II It were my proposition I would
cut the price in two in order TO put Il IN
and give Douglas county the benefit OF
g. Now. II / ever said To Mr. I.ynoh. nj
any time. that would cut tho price in
two II was said in this way, n could, I
would cut the price in two for the pur-
pose of advertising; but that statonent
does not imply any intention and had
no intention OF offering to cut the price
and give him any money; IL any one was
10 derive an advantage. II had control
OF II. ! would have sold tho burner for
half price 20 Douglas county, but the
Palmer forced draught people would not
cut their price because they said II would
destroy the possibility of their getting
the same prices outside; that is the only
conversation that 1 know of that ap-
proximates anything that Mr.. Lynch has
stated.
o-Now. IA any conversation that you
ever had with him at any time did you
ever have any intention OF offering him a
hribe3 Al told them that 1 would not
DO anything OF that kind until / was as
sured that Immunity was provided.
o.-Now. was any suggestion nadn Il
any time with reference to-sfter you had
failed 10 get an offer from Lynch. In
the first place / will ask YOU Ciid you
ever feel Lynch out as 10 whether or not
he would be open 10 a bribs? Al aever
did successfully.
o.-Did you talk 10 him with that idea
In view? A.7-No; not with any idea OF
that, because ! gave II up practically.
o-four employers. were they satis-
tied or dissatisfied with tho state OF the
operations2 A.-Well. they wanted TO
set action, ! suppose; i DO not suppose
they were satisfied; ! had not accom-
plishcd anything; nobody had approached
me-
Owes there any proposition made 10
you by anyone in regard TO your trap
ping Lynch In any other way9 A--oniy
BY John A. Gustafson. my direct en-
pioyer.
o-What was that3 A-welL. he told
me they had a meeting In Chicago and
had decided I was 70 feel out Mr.. Lynch
and l returned here and reported 70 Mr.
Polcar; told him I was not going 70 do
anything unless absolute immunity was
provided, because told him the original
plan involved. In case MIR. Lynch solicited
bribe. having him come TO my offlc.
and passing him marked money.
. -knE xsh h.s
passing him marked money! A.-Mr.
Sustafson; that was the plan planned In
ease he solicited a bribe. passing marked
money. and passing him trough the side
door into 6o7. where the sheriff and othe,
prominent men woudld be TO receive him
and arrest him with the money on him.
o.-Who proposed that particular plsu
or purpose OF having prominent men
PRESENT. A-That was the plan pro.
posed by Mr.. Gustafson and Mr.. Poloar
o-Both of them7 A-And the,
brought Mr.. Bernard here, because n,
had experience. TO instruct me how tc
do IL. in case l was approached for a
bFfbe
o-so no had an additional duty. as
we'll as taking care OF women9 All,
was TO Instruct me 20 take charge OF thai
In case ] was approached: while he wa,
here
o-Now was any suggestion made tc