The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-10-01

where. Ogden said, his contentious
had, in the main, been borne out.
Governor Hatfield. Nickerson said
Ogden had declared, had caused a tel
ephonic device to be placed in his of.
Z brother ~ cause trouble between
them" The Governor, according to
the Ogden story. as related by the wit.
ness, was using the commission TO
further his own political ambition.
which was TO be United states Sena-
tor
Judge Holt Overruled.
Judge Hoit moved that all OF the
testimony be stricken out, but the mo-
ton was overruled. and Representa-
tive Nicely was called. He substanti
ated the principal part of his secre-
tarys story. although, he said. he had
not been in the room all OF the time
Mr. Ogden was there. A motion to
strike out his testimony also was
made by Judge Holt, and overruled.
CrOss-eXaminattOn OF the witnesses
developed nothing startling.
j. ID. Sweeney, a former state sena-
tor. OF Williamstown. w. Va. said he
was opposed TO the Light company
when ITS case was beng heard by
Commissioner Ogden. He said he had
talked with Mr.. Ogden on the attitude
Of the commission and Governor Hat
Held toward the proposition of the
company to increase its rates. and
told the commissioner that II he was
going TO allow Mr.. We'll 70 give all
the testimony he ought TO swear him. %
Let them go" he quoted Mr. ogden
as saying, III give them all the leeway
they want Tnerell be no raise in
rates. They VIII be lowered The
other commissioners are all right and
Governor Hatfield is with us and
wants the rates lowered. I have made
arrangements now TO adjourn the
nearing and 20 talk h over with him.
This. the witness said. pleased him.
Sweeney also said that he met a man
al the hearing who had been sent there
as Governor Hatfield g representative,
TO help us sweeney repeated that
Ogden told him the governor was de-
handing that the yates be lowered.
he bad never discussed the matter
with the governor. and that Ogden
had never told Sim the governor was
trying 20 cOerce the commission.
Discharged Clerk Testhies.
". NJ. Snyder. the last witness said
that from November 4. 1913 10 Febru-
AIRY I. 1914. he had been employed as
secretary 10 Lee OF. chairman Of the
commission. when he was transferred
10 the Workmcn CONFORMATION de
partment where he had worked a. a
clerk. His declaration that the gov
crnor had a great deal 90 do with the
employment of men hY the commits
sion brought forth vigorous objection
from counsel for the other side. but
70 was admitted and he continued.
II was going through the hall with
Mr OFT one day when We met d man
Who said the governor had sent him Nd
20 20 TO work Mr.. OFT told him he
had no job and hc went away. but he
came back the next day Mr. OF got
the governor Office on the telephone
and the man. whose name was W &C.
Hicks. vent 90 work a. clerk in the
claims department"
Snyder said that ON one occasion
Do was in the Office on sunday when
Commissioner OF was there and 70 Ia
him that heretofore when be- had
charge oft anything be had full control
end that he did not intend TO be- bull
duTrd by the governor The witness
said that the governor often called at
Nr Otts OnlCc and frequently be- was
sent 70 call Commissioners kiimcr
and Bronson and they with the got-
ornor aud Ott would remain in OTIS
Office. Hc could not hear what was
being said but he frequently heard
loud talkiug and pounding on the desk
40 times be- would be- called to the
room and said. D they always quit
talking when be- s"ouod the door
Demanded Letters.
snyder, continuing bis testimony
said he had seen letters from tho rov.
ornor In reference 10 claims before
The commission and when be- was
asked by Mr. We'll To- go further into
Do subject the attorneys Tor the com
mis- sion promptly objected. domandinr
that the letters be produced In an
FwCr to q question by Nr Vandcrvort
W.T. We'll said the company had mon
90 to The OniCes % the Public Service
Iommlf ion 10 secure copies Of such