New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-30
WOOD REFUSES
TO RESIGN; WILL
FIGHT REMOVAL
Commissioner Dehes In
vestigators When Thomp-
son Asked Him to Quit.
M'CALL DECLARES
HE'S BEEN ABUSED
Objects to Examination of Ac-
counts-Hopes for Fair Treat
ment Before Governor.

Robert Colgate Wood refused to re-
sign as a member Of the Public Service
Commission yesterday, and must an
swer charges which the Thompson leg
islative committee will submit to Gov
ernor Whitman demanding his removal
from Office. The charges will involve
Woods transfer of $4,000 worth OF
American Sanitary Supply Company
stock to John A Maher for 81.
Il Is also likely that Commissioner
Wood will have 10 explain 20 the Attor-
ney General his failure to place trans
fer tax stamps on the stock when he
turned II over to Maher This consti-
tutes a misdemeanor.
Senator Thompson, chairman Of the
committee, was the one who suggested
10 Wood yesterday that If he gave up
his lob az Public Service Commissioner
right now he would relieve the com
mittee of the necessity of asking the
Governor TO remove him. The commit
tee chairman frankly told Wood that
the character Of his stock transaction
WAS such as to leave the Investigators
no alternative. Wood, however, re-
fused to accept Senator Thompson's
suggestion, and he asserted further
more that he would fight his removal
by the Governor.
Wood to Fight for Job.
The resignation Of Wood was not
suggested by Senator Thompson until
the Commissioner had gone before the
committee and admitted that he had
placed no transfer stamps on the SAM
tary company stock certificates, despite
his testimony on Friday that he had
done so. Holding handful of the
stamps before the committee he asked
10 afix them then and there, much to
the amusement of the large crowd IN
the awfully small hearing room.
81 think you had better take that up
with the District Attorney" Senator
Thompson remarked, rather dryly.
We'll" Wood pleaded, may ! offer
them in evidence"
''Your request is refused
The transfer Of the stock was made,
according to Wood, on June II, last
wear, nearly eighteen months ago.
The committee had planned a short ses-
sion yesterday in order to go to Albany
and prepare TO prosecute the Mccall
charges before the Governor, but Just
before train time Senator Thompson
learned that Governor Whitman had
postponed the hearing until Friday at
McCalps request. The Public Service
chairman wrote to the Governor asking
for the extension of time without CIV
ing any reason for IT.
Mccall Won't Show Accounts.
Chairman Mccall appeared before
the committee yesterday and refused
pointblank to permit the examination
of mis- accounts with the Bankers Trust
Company by the committees account
ant Mccall was particularly defiant
as he strobe into the hearing room. lie
was also nervous and appeared 70 be
laboring under considerable excite
ment. Dark rings encircled his eyes,
and for a moment he seemed oblivlous
OF all save Senator Thompson. Senator
Thompson reached impulsively for his
gaycl-just why, he did not know-and
ne kept it in his hand all the while
Mccall was in the witness chair.
When Mccall walked toward the wit
mesa chair he discovered that Erskine
Wood, a brother of Commissioner
Wood, occupied IT,
II have just come from preparing my
brief" he snapped, "and | want to ge:
away from here as quickly as | can; l
have very little time"
At Senator Thompson's suggestion
Mr. Wood allowed Mccall TO become
the witness.
] Frank Smith, assistant counsel to
the committee, reminded Mccall that
the committee had issued subpoena to
the Bankers Trust Company for the
examination of the Mccall accounts
with that institution, and that on
Thursday the committees accountant
was stopped after having been at work
tor two days and had not been allowed
10 see the depositors' ledger. Mr. Smith
said the trust company based its refusal
on McCalls authority and on the face
that exposure Of this book would be
an unethical exposure OF clients al
fairs.
Have you any objection TO our ex-
aiming these accountsT Mr. Smith
asked. &,
ayes; l have objection" snapped
Mccall.
"Why do you object?"
Treated Unfairly, Says Mccall.
Because refuse 10 lay before this
committee any more Of my private af-
fairs" Mccall shouted. II nave no
confidence In it. All IL has done is 10
abuse me. have been denied fair
treatment, and I don't intend TO be