New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-18

and they wanted to make their word
good
"Had the check been DRAWN asked
Mr.. Lewis.
"Oh, did not understand that any
check or voucher had been drawn at
all" Mr.. Levinson answered. Il stated
to them and was impressed u was
a sort Of strange proceeding, that they
seemed to think more of making good
their word than they did OF the nein-
business of bribing public omsial.
They insisted because they wanted 10
make their word good. ~.
"That was Johnson's promise MI
Lewis asked.
'Johnson's promise" Mr.. Leeyinson
replied, "but the colonel knew about IT,
and had co6perated with johnson IN
dealing with Wood
Tells Of Talk with Salmon.
Mr.. l linson before going on the
witness stand had been before the
grand jury, and he seemed full OF
pep" in the relating of his story. lie
never hesitated to answer the CUES
tions OF Mr.. Lewis, and IL seemed that
his answers were merely q rehearsal
of testimony he had given only short
while before.
Getting down to the meeting with
Mr.. Salmon, president Of the General
Company, at the Vanderbilt Hotel soon
after the General Company had hired
Johnson, Mr.. Levinson said he merely
happened at the hotel, and at the sug-
gestion Of Mr.. Uptegraf agreed to see
Mr.. Salmon.
Among other things" Mr.. Levinson
said, in telling of the Conversation, 81
said: Mr.. Salmon, | understand your
company has taken over Mr.. Sydney
Johnson and have made him an official
of your company He said: yes,
vice -president in charge Of sales, and
also a director ! said: DO you know
the circumstances under which he was
let out Of our company He said:
Yes, know all about it,"
"Did you ask him what he was going
to have Mr.. Johnson do?" the chair
man asked.
81 knew what that meant, as vice
president and in charge Of sales. We
did not discuss 1t. lie had charge of
getting contracts for the General Sig
nal Company. That meant getting con-
tracts and getting work, such as the
B. r. T. contract which followed"
well, do you know, do you mean to
indicate from that, that they were to
use him for the same purpose for
which you had discharged him ?"
"Well, l think to an honest man tho
inference would be irresistible. They
were giving him the same title that he
had with our company, and therefore
it is TO be assumed he would do sim
liar work, whatever he could do"
Colonel Prout is nervous little
man, seventy years old, with a some
what bad memory, and when he went
on the witness stand about the only
things he was sure about were that
Johnson had not promised to pay Wood
the $4,000 and that Mr. Uptegraff had
not suggested to Johnson that he
charge up that sum TO his expense ac-
count as way out of the difficulty.
He refused to waive immunity.
He said he believed that johnson had
assurances that Wood would use his
influence in the Union Company's
favor.
Colonel Prout said that after the
proposition had been broached by John
son he insisted on taking il before the
board Of directors. The Centre Street
loop contract, he said, was the begin
ming of situation which meant that
the company that got it would be in
a strong position to get the larger
one which followed. That was the rea-
son ne took tho responsibility for get.
ting the contract up TO the board of
directors.
Mr. McCune's testimony, in the main,
was similar TO that given by Mr.. Levin
son. He said that Johnson and Prout
had insisted on the money being paid
on the day of the directors meeting, be-
cause, they said. that il they did not
get it the company would not get the
contract.
Colonel Prout, he said, was asked for
his resignation because he was just
as guilty as Johnson.
What do you mean by just as
guilty?" Mr.. Lewis asked.
Just as guilty of bribery, or at
tempted bribery" Mr.. McCune an
swered.
Wee you satisfied that this was an
attemi to bride Wood on behalf OF
your company by Prout and Johnson%
81 was" he answered.
Johnson, Mr.. Levinson and Mr.. Nc
Cune went before the grand jury yes
terday and related stories similar to
that told TO the Thompson Committee.
The grand jury adjourned last night
until Monday.
Commissioner Wood refused to see
reporters yesterday. Through his sec
rotary, however, he sent the following
answer TO questions:
81 have nothing to add to what have
already said. The story Is absolutely
false. have not been served with
subpoena, but / am here and not run
ming away. | have not resigned"
Governor Whitman came to the city
last night and at once disappeared. It
was reported that he had come to take
a hand in the Public Service Commits
sion investigation as a result of the
testimony before the Thompson Com
mittee, but no verifcation Of this could
be had.