The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-17
Union Signal Officers Will
Repeat Tale of $4,000
Demand for Job.
CONTRACT SEEKER
GIVES FULL DETAILS
Johnson Breaks Down at
Thompson Hearing Into
Public Service Board.

n. Grand Jury will begin this morn
lne an investigation based on the testi-
,nonv before tho Thompson legislative
COMMITTEES that Public Service Commits
sione, Wood sought a commission OF
$4,000 from tho Union Switch and Sig
nal Company for his assistance in get
ting that company a contract 20 install
sigma, service in the Centre street loop
q. tho new subway system.
Walter u. Uptegraff. president OF the
Union company. and Sidney G. johnson.
former vice-president Of tho company.
we're served with subpGnas yesterday
afternoon and they will go before the
Irand Jury to-day. Johnson testified be-
'o,e the Thompson committee yesterday
verifying the account of the transa ction
involving Commissioner Wood as II was
outlined by Mr.. uptesraff on Wednesday.
Johnson sSore that Commissioners Wood
invited him TO an Office at i3 Exchange
place and there. having first dismissed
he office boy. asked him II he did not
think his influence In favor OF an award
10 the Union company was worth COM
rniss,on, following this. according to
Johnson, with the statement that he
thought it should be worth 5000.
witness Staggcrs Out.
Johnson was much affected by his
revelations to the committee. While lie
appeared to be perfectly frank. he be-
came more nervous as he approached
lhs recital of the circumstances under
Which he lost his place with the Union
pmpany until finally. when he told of
he kindness OF his new employers. tears
sme streaming down his face. He rose
rom the witness chair In bewildered
manner and staggered from the room.
For the next three hours Senator
thompson, Deputy attorney General
lewis and other chief figures IN the case
ssre In consultation IN a private room.
Deputy Assistant District Attorney STAN
sy Richter came from the District At
;orneys office with request for a
scrpt of Mr. Uptegraf's testimony,
ana when the corroborattve testimony ot
Nr Johnson was disclosed to him he
a.lei up District Attorney Perkins. The
'asul, was that Uptegraff and johnson
we're both subppnaed.
Col. Henry u. Prout. who was pres!-
iant of the Union company at the time
u the transaction involving Comnis-
soner " oOd and who lost his job at the
sane time johnson did because he did
.ot take an immediate stand against
be alleged suggestion OF Commissioner
Mood as reported to him by Johnson.
as consented TO appear before the conf
Hitce to-day His home is in Nutley.
y. y, and he agreed to come after Sem
a,or Thompson had visited him in his
zone and represented to him tlss seri-
Jltness Of the present situation. 1t Is
hough' likely that col. Prout will also
oe subpTnaed for the Grand Jury.
Tie Thompson committee does not In
e!G now TO leave the case to the Dis
'r.oS Attorney. 1t is realized that as the
natter stands II is case OF the word
1 Commissioner Wood against that OF
Nr Johnson, but tho committee intends
20 80 much further and to try to bring
'ui in as satisfactory "A manner as pos
'.pl- every attendant detail that will
end to substautiate the story now be-
'ore H.
Commissioner Woods secretary agreed
yesterday 10 furnish the name OF the
ung man who was in the Commits
''9Her7 office IN Exchange place on the
aay ma, Johnson says he called. Other
"ncals Of the Union company will be
called 20 cotroboratc Mr. Cptegraff and
president salmon OF the General Rail
way signal Company may he called to
'effy in' assertion Of johnson that he
'ola NJ" salmon all about the circum-
stances Of his leaving the Union COM
DaHy.
Commissioner Woods secretary said
stI night that the Commissioner would
lave HotnIug to add TO his statement of
Wednesday night that there was no
run IN the assertion that no sought
go from the Union company after
no became Commissioner.
'enalty Ten Years In Prison.
L was pointed out yesterday that
N"oiId the Grand Jury find an indlct-
''At after hearing the witnesses who
nave appeared before the Thompson COM
N"fe tAs ensuing trial would fail 70
ne ldt II Judge Edward Swami. who
>, ONES District Attorney on January
"e penalty for conviction OF the crime
Loou1 20 be Investigated is not less than
el 'edrs N state prison or a line OF
10y more than $4,000, or both.
"heA Johnson was called TO the stand
'e'eIdiy Senator Thompson asked him
-, ne would sign waiver Of immunity,
ms Johnson declined TO do,
am here he said. ITO tell all
NOV and 10 tell the truth, but l arm not
sohS 70 sign away any rights I may
have
we committee and the matter was no,
pressed johnson outlined his employ
"'n, ny the Union company. saying tina,
'htten years he rose from a position
"h Uhusftsman to that Of vice president
u '"'rge Of sales. His New York Office
vac n 30 church street. lie was ther
,ste1 4 he had aided IN preparing a bid
9r "prk that was contemplated by the
Ion
N'', sir," lie answered. "rhat wa,
Nhat Pts called the loop contract.
ndH 70 prepare the estimates for Il ant
me h-i"
What other companies submitted
tluk they were tho General. tn.
''nDaI and the Hall signal companies.
WHO was the lowest bldderp'
I'' Federal, as ! remember"
l"tt aompany was the next loy
1dp.r.'
j f1hh No were. ! think our bi,
Vas 700 900 fiat"
II" I0west bid was $4,000. WASH
''Sod Senator Thompson.
'uuk IL was"
tpHNHrcd on rum PO0c.