New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-10

Senator Thompson again asked in the
most kindly voice.
Wood was silent.
Refuses to Answer.
''Do you refuse to answer" queried
Senator Thompson.
81 do" Wood responded firmly.
This colloquy occurred after a stormy
interchange Of questions and answers
between the committee chairman and
the Commissioner, the result Of which
80 irritated Senator Thompson that ne
directed Deputy Attorney General
Lewis, the committees counsel, to pro-
coed against Wood for contempt. lie
also directed that a subpoena De ls-
sued for Alice A. Wood, the Commis-
sioners mother, after Wood had re
fused 70 tell what he had done with the
proceeds of $4,000 loan he had oo-
tanned from her.
Wood declared that the loan had been
made two or three years ago, before
he became q member, and that the com
mittee had no right TO ask him about u;
When the subpoena server reached
the Wood home, in East Ihlrty-slxth
Street, the Commissioner mother was
not home, so Senator Thompson or
dered the serving of 1t postponed until
this morning.
p. Erskine Wood, the Commissioners
brother, also got into trouble with the
committee for refusing 10 answer ques-
tions, Senator Thompson threatening 10
send him before the grand jury. This
member of the Wood family declined
TO say how much money he had put into
the firm Of Colgate, Parker Co, be-
cause it was his own private affair.
"Do you refuse 10 answer on the
ground that il will incriminate you y
Senator Thompson asked.
"No,' the younger Wood answered,
because it will not incriminate me-
Questioned About Checks.
The knowledge of the loans which
Wood had made came from the Com
missioner reluctantly, as he endeayored
TO explain a series of checks on the
Lawyers Title and Trust Company,
each of which was for $500 or there
abouts and each of which was drawn
after he had deposited his semi-montnly
pay check for 1925.
Wood first explained the checks, a
Erskine Wood, as in payment of loan
approximating $4,000 which he had OBJ
tanned from his relations. He said that
$500 Of this was obtained from his
brother, who had been repaid through
the sale of the Commissioners stock
In the Northwestern Construction Com
pRny. oooo.u
what did you do with the $1O,0OOT
Capotor ThomDzon asked.
81 refuse to answer" said Wood
after pause. g.,
ION the ground that II will incrimi-
nate you ?" queried the chairman.
NO; certainly not" said Wood, but
because it is my own private business
1t was prior to my appointment as Com
"Well. you are spending the money
you receive from the state as a pubic
official to pay off private debts" SAID
Senator Thompson.
Wood insisted that he did not think
II was within the jurisdiction OF tho
committee.
"If you think it is not in our juris-
dict.on you will find out, because we
will take action against you; you know
YOU can be punished for contempt. You
know the power Of this committee"
said Senator Thompson holly.
81 hear you say it," Wood replied
calmly. "I'll take your word for II"
Contempt Proceedings Ordered
Counsel for the committee will at
once proceed against this man Tor con-
tempt" Senator Thompson heatedly or
dered.
Mr.. Lewis then took Wood in hand
and asked h m how he paid his brother
the $4,000 he said he had borrowed:
Wood hesitated a minute, but before
he could answer Senator Thompson
broke in with:
"Now, Mr.. Commissioner, be careful
how YOU answer. Pay attention to the
questions, because you or your brother
may have an opportunity TO 20 before
the grand Jury. Either you or your
brother has testified falsely here
Now, you will please tell me the
truth"
81 am telling the truth" snapped
Wood.
"You had better do so II you think
you are fit to be Public Service Com
m ssioner or at large in the communi-
ty," Senator Thompson snapped back.
~ am telling the truth, and resent
your insinuations, Senator" shouted
Wood.
"Wen, you have played and fooled
this committee long enough the chair
man replied grimly.
al will not be forced to tell my pri
vate affairs before | went on the com
mission" Wood declared.
please remember" said Senator
Thompson, that our investigation. is