New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-17
Signal Agent Swears
TO Contract COM
mission Deal.
GRAND JURY GETS
CASE TO-DAY
Committee Ready to Ask
Commissioners Removal
Witness CollapSes.

pusfe Service ccmmishoner Robert
G. Wood was directly accused yester-
S.v Of having solicited commission
ot 1900 20 influence the award Of the
csatYs Street loop signal contract 70
IN. Union Switch and Signal Company
q Pittsburgh. Sidney G. Johnson, for
mar sales manager Of the company, was
Woods accuser. and his testimony be-
for, the Thompson committee in the
main substantiates the testimony Of W
D UptegrafF before the committee on
Wednesday.
Mr. Johnson testified tina. he had met
Commissioner Wood in an Office at 4S
Exchange Place. An Office boy was in
the room at the time, but Wood asked
him TO leave. In answer to a question
Of Deputy Attorn General Lewis as
to what was said, Mr.. Johnson testified
well, Mr.. Wood asked me whether
or not there would be any commission
in this contract affair If he could in
flu nee II for me. told him that !
had no authority TO talk TO him on a
matter Of that kind, and he went on to
say that he thought that a job Of that
kind ought TO carry at least $4,000, and
told him that was unable TO say
what could bo done on it because had
no authority"
Mr.. johnson said that he had tele-
phoned TO Colonel Prout, then president
VI the Union Company. giving the cir
sanstaness OF the conversation with
Wood.
Cash Request Repeated.
Did you repeat TO Colonel Prout,
W. Lewis asked, chat Commissioner
Wood had asked for a cash compensa-
tlon for influencing the contract"
Yes, sir" Mr.. Johnson answered.
When Johnson finished his testimony
he was served with a subpoena to APP
pear before the grand jury this morn
ing, when District Attorney Perkins
viii submit the charges 70 that body
Tor is consideration. Mr.. Cptegrefi
vas also subpenaed to appear before
TIE grand jury at the same time.
Il IS not improbable that Governor
Whitman will be asked before nightfall
70 remove Commissioner Wood from Of
ice By the Thompson committee.
Senator Thompson, the chairman
has called an executive meeting Of the
eommittee for this afternoon, the pur-
pose Of which is 20 determine whether
or not charges against Wood should be
sent 70 the Governor Immediately. II
vas the intention az first TO hold up the
charges against Wood until the investi-
cation was completed, but on looking
up the statute Senator Thompson found
that the committee will lose none Of its
jurisdiction If Wood Is removed.
District Attorney Perkins said last
night that Johnson would not be asked
70 waive immunity.
Have you received any request from
VI. Wood 70 be heard before the grand
Juryp he was asked
Not as yet" was Mr. Perkins's re-
ply.
Ten-Year Penalty Shown
Whstever action is taken by the
grand jury will be based on Section
sI2 Of the Penal Laws. which is as
follows:
"A judicial officer. a person who exc
eates any Of the functions Of a public
once not designated in Articles 124
and 40, and in Section 2,320 OF this
chapter, or a person employed by or act
.ng FOR the state, or for any public officer
II the business of the state, who asks
receives, or agrees 70 receive bribe, OF
any money. property, or value Of any
hrd, or any promise or agreement
therefoT, upon any agreement or un-
aerstAnding that his vo1, opinion
Judgment, action, decision or other Of
feial proceeding, shall be Influenced
hereby, or that he will do OF omit any
ae. or proceeding, or in any way ne
elect or violate any Official duty, is
punishable By imprisonment for not
nore than ten years. or by hne OF
aet more than $1,000, or both. A con-
'ie;ion also forfeits any Office held by
- defendant, and forever disquslifies
n from holding any public Office un-
.ts The state"
Johnson relstsd his testimony about
~ solicitation By Wood Of the
900 Commission" IN calm and
i'&ightforward manner. As he came
. tell Of his dismissal from the Union
Company and his employment by the
General Signal Company, however, he
oross down.
he hdgetsd IN bis chair. drummed
On the table nervously with his fingers
sno finally asked for a cigarette. His
veies ehoked with emotion as ne tried
% 20 on; his eyes filled with tears
ne tried 70 continue, but couldn't
finaly he leaned far forward in bis
easir. A stsnographer leaned forward
% grasp him, but before he could do
20 johnson made one supreme effort
ne straightened up In his chair and
Ienped % his feet. Then he started
anisssly toward the telephone booth
D1i before be got there Senator Thomp-
,en ordered one of the lawyers 20 take
ne witness outside
SDhnson II a big, well built man, and
~ collapse brought tears 20 tho eyes
many Of those who had jammed
soon.
ne came back IN Eve minutes. how
~, thoroughly braced up, and said "a
as,'fmsn p, Thompson;
apologize Tor this little disgres
IAiinasd on Rage Z, column