New-York tribune., 1916-02-19

Webster or any one connected with
them approaches the transportation
judgment of Stevens He said: Stone
& Webster cou do the work Then
he said: Who's back of Stevens
said; The only man he mentioned was
Mallon, Of Pittsburgh then de-
clared that not only did l know that
Stevens was skilled and able en-
gineer, but q capable transportation
man, and also an honest and honorable
gentleman. As far as I'm concerned |
have but one rule of life. and that is
that every obligation that ! made and
every commitment I ever made was on
the basis of quality and price being
equal before ] recognized friend. |
further said: Why should we quarrel
about this? You have just as good a
right TO stand up for your people as
for mine"
rs that all you said 10 Lane?"
That's the substance of IT,"
Contract Signing Reviewed.
The second day of Mr.. Shonts's ex.
animation opened with questions by
Mr.. Colby to try 10 establish that in
bringing about the signing of the dual
subway contracts the Interborough not
only was aided by financial powers, but
by politicians of prominence. He said
he could not recall if other men Gs
prominent as Edward VI. Grout and
Mirabeau L. Towns were engaged as
outside counsel in the negotiations.
Mr. Campbell, your treasurer, is n
friend Of Dick Croker, isn't he?" asked
Mr.. Colby.
II don't know"
"Your conversation with Edward NJ.
Grout cost you about 81 900 each, didn't
they?" asked Senator Thompson.
"As a lightning calculator you're as
good as am" laughed the witness.
Mr.. Shonts said he came 20 New York
City at the request of Paul Morton.
Didn't Tom Thomas Fortune) Ryan
bring you here ?" was Mr.. Colby's next
/ question.
"Mr. Ryan was largely instrumental
/ in bringing me here"
He had been bullying Mr.. Bel
mont?"
"a don't know"
Don't you know Ryan's power en-
! barrassed Belmont, who wanted 70
/ build a subway"
Il know there was n great deal OF
/ contention between the parties"
Then suddenly Mr. Colby asked;
"What is a slush fund ?"
Never having been connected with
one, p
Definition of Slush Fund.
please answer the question. What
does the term slush fund connote in
your mind2"
"lf you are opposed TO me, and
think you are vulnerable-which ! do
ot-and | use money TO change your
mind, that money Is slush fund. IL
is something | wouldn't approve"
"And money used 10 make d public
official change his minds 1t a slush
fund or bribery"
"pm not enough OF lawyer to an
swer that"
Mr.. Shonts said he did not know
why S1,500,000 was paid to August
Belmont for the Pelham Bay G. City
Island Railway which consisted, 1t was
testified, OF twelve mules and as many
old tramcars. Pressed. he remembered
il grew out of fight between Mr.. Bel
mont and Mr.. Whitney.
Mr. Colby then brought the witness
back 10 his coming TO New York In
April. 1907. Mr.. Ryan, he said, put him
in charge of the subway and elevated
lines. lie said year later he met j.
p. Morgan, jr. lie had known the elder
Mr.. Morgan long before. The follow
ing year he suggested to Mr.. Morgan,
jr. the building Of the new subway.
"The first results Of my administration
were not very fattering," Mr.. Shonts
went on. "The concerns Of which ! was
put in charge went 70 smash right off.
IL seemed that as soon as | took charge
everything in the enterprise got into
difficulty, and Mr.. Ryan retired from
the scene Of his activities and | could
see ruin staring Us in the face. So |
made up my mind TO 60 down and see
tho man thought could help US best
Mr.. Morgan"
Was the general ruin the result OF
the Interborough- metropolitan mer-
GER" Mr. Colby asked
That and many other things. The
maturing of notes of from ten 10
twenty millions. I didn't know where
we were 70 get the money from. |
went to see Mr.. Morgan TO talk the
whole thing over with him"
Didn't you see Mr.. Ryan,"
Ryan Proved Di6ident.
"No. He never took any interest in
our affairs"
Isn't he stockholder ?"
"Not that ] know"
"He oUrs .ba undsrl,i,o, ecn,r,,;.s