New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-19
c.umissioner Left Open
'j no for proposition"
Is New Charge.
DISCUSSED BIDS
IN PRIVATE OFFICE
Mad of Construction Firm Of
tered to Swing Award, 1t
Is Alleged.

o.nic Service Commissioner Robert
Nod was again in the limelight be-
-. he Thompson committee yester-
y vben new charges involving his
-,.aop, with John T. Cade, sales
..,,t Of the Federal Signal Company
!, d. Fourth Avenue signal contract
"A. we're made BY Alfred II. Rem
'I,s. president Of that company.
n, Renshaw testified that Cade had
IA him that Commissioner Wood
..,.s him into his private Office when
:, b;ds we're under consideration and
-. csSs had said that Wood had
I've, him every opportunity to make
,rooOsition." Wood, he said, had not
.t,d for any money. but Cade had said
-, he got the impression that Wood
,,S given him an opening 70 make a
,.o,osition OF a financial character.
n, Renshaw also testified that W. c.
BANKS to whom Wood sold the North
,.,,srn Construction Company, had
rk.d the sales agent 10 meet him, and
rs. Banks had practically made a
,-oposition that for a consideration he
suN get the award Of the Fourth Ave
~, contract. Cade. Mr.. Renshsw testi-
IA had told him that Banks was con-
-e.tsd with Wood, aud that IL would be
trough Wood that influence would be
s-ought to bear.
Federals Bid the Lowest.
The Federal Company was the lowest
bidsr on the Fourth Avenue contract,
bs. did not land the job. The reason
vas that the General Company, which
Tired Sydney Johnson after the Union
Company had dismissed him. and whose
td was next 10 the highest. submitted
1 new bid, which the Public Service
Commission accepted without readver-
Using Commissioners Wood, Williams
and Cram voted for this award, while
Chairman Mccall and Commissioner
yslibie voted against t.
M. Renshaw, who is a tall. military
boxing man, answered the questions Of
Deputy General Lewis without any hes
i,arcy in strong contrast to Colonel
Prout, who for almost the entire day
succeeded in evading a direct answer to
any o. the questions propounded by Mr..
Lewis and Senator Thompson. Colonel
proui lost his job as president Of the
Union Signal Company because he had
brought the question of paying Wood
5000 in the Centre Street contract be-
iors lis board Of directors.
After relating the different bids on
he Fourth Avenue contract Mr.. Rem
shaw said that he had only met Wood
casually, but that Mr.. Cade knew him.
WAS there a time when Mr.. Cade
tsld you he had some talk with him on
4. award Of the Fourth Avenue con-
mt" Mr. Lewis asked.
Er Renshaw said there was, and Mr..
lsEis asked him 10 tell what il was.
Left Opening for Proposition"
He said Or. Wood had asked him
ITO bis private Office" Mr.. Renshaw
aa, "and he told me that Wood had
rJss him every opportunity to make a
opposition. That is what he told me"
He did not say that Wood had asked
'ef money!
he did not"
Can you repeat anything he said to
Tsu,'
4 can: repeat the language. but I
?. the impression that Cade thought
FOOD had given him an opening to
-aks proposition
-0i financial character" queried
II. Lewis.
That IS what 7 understood it to be-"
u. Benshaw answered.
Tor the purpose OF influencing his
Zeal action ?"
There was nothing else pending at
le time"
VI. Renshaw said that the matter of
e approval Of the Fourth Avenue
sird vas the matter that was pending
{ tie time.
he also said. in answer 20 a question
!. w. Lewis, that he had been advised
z ar occasion when some one else
alsd on Mr. Cade in connection with
is matter.
-Csde advised me-" he said, chat
W. Banks had called him on the