The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-09-23
PAID FOR
"EDUCAT|0N"
Solicitor Rich Discusses the
Procedure in New
Hampshire
NOT A CENT TO
NEWSPAPERS
But Money Went to Attor-
neys-Never Allowed to
Interfere in Elections

Concord, N. H.. Sept. 23.--Presden
Benjamin A. Kimball of the Concord
Montreal railroad was expected to 90 o
the witness stand yesterday in the in
vestigation by the public service com
mission of expenditures by the railroad
in New Hampshire for legal services an
for influencing public opinion. At tn
hearing Tuesday, Vice President Hobb
and General Solicitor Rich of the Bostoi
Il Maine unloaded on. President Kimbal
the responsibility for the payment o
some $4,000 to George A. Weston, al
attorney of Bellows Falls, VT. Specia
Counsel Benton for the public servie
commission is trying to find out wha
became of the large sums thus paid
there being popular impression in New
Hampshire that this was "slush fund,
used for influencing legislation. So far
the witnesses have disclamed any knowl
edge of Mr.. Weston's payments, but the
Boston g. Maine has promised to use it;
efforts to have him testify. He cannot
be compelled to do SO, being a resident
| of Vermont.
Mr.. Rich was again called to the stand
yesterday morning and testified to the
employment of legislative agents in New
Hampshire. Mr.. Benton asked whether
Leslie r. Snow and General Frank Street
er, who had the largest bills of any at
torneys, devoted most of their time to
strictly legal matters or matters affect
ing legislation. MFR. Rich said he did
not think the Streeter firm rendered any
service in connection with legislation,
with the exception of the Grand Trunk
matter. Mr.. Snow had some connection
with legislative matters, but these two
firms had done the bulk Of the legal bus
mess for the Boston & Maine in New
Hampshire. There was nothing different
in the character of the services performed
by them from that done by other attor
neys in the state.
The Grand Trunk campaign began in
the early part of 1912 in New Hamp-
shire, testified Mr.. Rich. The attorneys
were paid for appearing before boards
OF trade and for visiting editors OF news
papers, as part of the campaign of
education" which the Boston q Maine
was conducting Not cent was paid
or any consideration given TO the editor
of a newspaper. Sometimes paper
printed an advertisement and replied to
il in the editorial columns. Attorneys
were directed not to interfere in election
Of officers of boards OF trade or local
Did your attorneys attend public din
ners and talk and charge that to the
asked Mr.. Benton.
Eve wanted them to, but they didn't
do it, replied Mr.. Rich.
Mr.. Rich knew nothing of the services
performed by attorneys of the Concord
4 Montreal in New Hampshire. He did
not think the roads attorneys acted in
appointments by the govern
Dr., although il would have been entire |
y proper for them to express their opin-
on. He had personally seen the governor
Ind urged the New England railroad con.
'erenee. His purpose had been 20 show
Why certain men should not be appoint
d on account OF their hostility to the
but he had not suggested APP
'ointments. Mr.. Rich paid a compliment
o the roads Concord representative,
larry j. Brown, as a man of "unim-
'eaehable character and proved ability"
The only employment Of b. w. Couch
vas in connection with the suit OF Boston
Maine To annul lie contract with the
american Express company. Mr.. Rich
aid he thought the bills Of Mr.. Couch
we're very reasonable considering that
he road saved 100000 year for 10
ears by a new contract.
o. =. Cain Of keene, Mr.. Rich stated,
eased TO be an attorney when he became
state senator in 1918. He thought {
he bills OF the late John w. Kelly Of
were very reasonable.
Leslie r.. Snow, the roads attorney in
'sding business men in connection with
he Grand Trunk matters. Among these
as ROLAND II. Spaulding, the present
oyernor. "hut he was not even talked
then for governor" said Mr.. Rich.
"And Mr.. Spaulding subsequently, be
lme one Of the directors Of the Grand
runk subsidiaries. the Southern New
ngland railway added Counsel Ben.
N. Mr.. Benton read from a voucher
Attorney Snow a bill for services IN
injection with an article "for keeping
= Grand Trunk out Of politics" Mr.
ich explained that this had reference
an advertisement published ~ the
Dston Maine IN New Hampshire "a
~ az q time when the Grand Trunk
as seeking % influeBce the selection n
ndidates for the legislature who were
vorsble to the road
Another bih was "fcr seeing dele
is 70 the state convention" n pre-
me that sas in connection vita the
me matter. sid Mr. Rich
General Frauk =. strestef Of Canrord
4 the Boston Maine road ID 1875
q vas re-efufsiuyed coon after Mr. Md
. became president 81 she Neu Hatsn
lirh hsh negulrrd rnrfrol 0f the Pos
b Mnins. The hrrn rnteireA . AL
y ~ fI0Wm year iwf this was
sured uu8s2 an srranrrmrnt win
!. BFrues. g. 3 retaingr 81 5000 and