New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-25
Promoter Gaynor Reject
ed Later Involved in Mail
Fraud, Says Hardness.
"OUR MUTUAL FRIEND"
SHONTS NEW PUZZLE
Man Referred To in Letter, he
Said, Might Be One of Three
Law Change Thompson Plan.


Thompson committee on edge yester-
day. The sensation Of the morning
hearing WAS provided by William 3.
Ellison. former Corporation Counsel
Mr.. Ellison told Of has visit to Mayor
Gavnor in 1911 with two men who
said they controlled $5OO,OOO,OOO
mere matter of half q billion dollars
of Standard OIL money, and were reauy
10 build the subways with IT and turn
tho subwavs over 10 the city free and
clear after q given number OF years.
Thev also agreed 20 give the city n
percentage OF the profits. Not only
that but what was left Of the halt
billion after building the subways was
10 he used in waterfront development.
Mr.. Ellison said the two men were
known 10 him as Or. Pollock" and
"Nr Alexander" Mayor Gaynor eVl-
IDENTIFY did not take the proposition
seriously. for he suggested that the
pair lend the money TO the INTERIOR
ough. Mr. Ellison said he understood
the two had two other conferences
with the Mayor, IN which ne ala not
aTbe proposition died with Mayor
Gaynor?" asked Mr.. Moss.
dYes," said Nh Ellison.
william r. Wilcox. former chair
man Of the Public Service Coihhis-
sion. said he never heard OF either tne
men or their S5OO,OOO,oOO until Mr..
Ellison testified.
That Half Billion Fund.
LEROY r. Hardness. assistant coun-
sci of the Public Service Commisslon'
testified he met Mr.. or Or. PoIIocK'
lie said he was brought TO HIM by MI
Farnum, secretary TO Mr.. wilcox.
ole came with some proposition 20
finance the subways, but l. IegagoGu
him as a Colonel Mulberry sellers. IL
was a great scheme, but there was
nothing behind IT, He said that Henry
Dawson (of the Morgan firm told him
he could have all the money ne
wanted ,,..
"Did YOU ever hear Of him visiting
Mr.. McAneny?" asked Mr.. Moss:
"No." said Mr.. darkness. "lhe next
I heard Of him was when the police ar
rested him for some irregularities IN
connection with the mails"
Mr.. Wilcox testified about the un-
signed letter sent him on March y,
1910. BY MIR. Shonts Offering to bulld
the subways with lnterborough money
He said when it was w Adrawn ne was
keenly disappointed. lie characterized
the dual contract as the pesV "0'
the city ever made.
George McAnenv. VINO was one OF
tho Roard of Estimate who signed the
dnal subway contracts, wrote TO SEN
ator Thompson yesterday, and, IKE
Air Wilcox and Controller Prender-
cast. SAID he was ready, and always
rad been, TO come out into the open
and testify.
Senator Thompson said last night he
would call all three 70 TESTIFY at
length when he thought the time OPP
portune. In the meantime, he sald' ne
hoped Mr. Prendergast would write
more letters. -.
done to him." said Senator thompson
zone letter he wrote IN !9li COMM
ting himself eternally 10 city-bui!t SUP
80 80 Would that mine enemy would
,,,r;te hook think that's the line.
I'm sorry for Mr. Prendergast. l sup
nose | ought % be kind 10 him, for ne
te-now- Republican. But ms poll-
tics like his vote on the subways, is
subject 10 fuctuation. A..
Mr. Shonts smiled when he took the
stand. The smile left his face Qu4cHIy
when he heard the opening question o.
Mr.. Moss. In its place came look OF
anger and surprise.
@Do Won want 20 change any OF your
testimony o" asked Mr.. Moss
about what?" replied the witness
"Oh, anything
"No."
"You have no relapse Of memory ~
"Oh, no." said Mr. Shonts, regalhlne
his good humor.
"Have you any more recollection o
,our visit TO Mayor Gaynor at the City
Hall on April 10, 1910, than the 4@s'
day."
with Mr. Wilcox
Mr.. Moss. after reading from. the
memorandum Mr.. Shonts made OF ms
talk with Mayor GaynOr at 81. James
five DAYS after the visit 20 the CITY
Hall, asked: 49,.
"Didnt YOU have frequent meeting
with Mayor Gaynor at his ONCE and al
aks I testified before" replied Mr.
Shonts, with emphasis, u don't remem'
Der meeting Mayor Gaynor often
Didn't Mr. Freedman meet him
often?"
81 only know Of Mr.. Freedman meet
ing him once"
confidential meetings with Mayor Cay
nor that no one else knew of-when no
one representing the other companies
was present.
"Only as ! have testified"
"Did you write letters 70 tho Mayor
ayes, occasionally"
Mr. Moss then read into evidence q
letter from M Shonts 20 Mayor Cay
dated January %, 1912. Il read:
81 have just reached my desk after