New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-03
T h ON pson. Angry,
Threatens Engineer
Who OK'd Bonus.
COLEMAN DENIES
HE ADVISED HIM
Young Back at Palm Beach
Is RepOrt-COlby Called
to Explain To-day.

The ancient game OF passing the
buck was stopped for few minutes
yesterday by Senator George +.
Thompson that he might announce it
was his intention 20 prefer charges TO
the Public Service Commission agains.
Alfred Craven, the commissions chief
engineer, because the latter "knowing-
" approved the bonuses paid to Inter
borough officials out of the funds OF
the city"
Mr.. Craven was on the stand when
Senator Thompson made the announce
ment. lie did not seem any more per
turbcd than he had been during any
part OF the two hours he spent on the
stand uttering for the most part 81
don't know" and III don't recall" and
Il don't remember" TO questions asked
for the purpose Of shedding light on
the bonuses to Theodore T. Shonts and
other Interborough officials, as well "a
other matters concerned with the dual
contracts. His rest in the North Caro-
lima woods seemed to have benefited
his nerves.
Not so Lc Roy T. Hardness, assist
ant counsel 10 the Public Service Com
mission. Ordinarily Mr.. Harkness IS
as mild hammered as a hostess pour
ing tea. But this threat OF Senator
Thompson reused. him. Like an unat-
tended teapot over hot fame. he
boiled over. Rising from his chair he
cbulliated thus:
Has a Friend on Commission.
"As d friend of Mr.. Craven | advise
him not TO give any more information
20 this committee, as it may be used
against him.
Frank Moss, counsel to the commit
zee. asked the stenographer to note the
advice, ana also that Mr.. Hsrkness was
assistant counsel to the Public Service
Commission.
"If you're not careful I'll prefer
charges against YOU" said Senator
Thompson.
81 don't care whether you do or not,
retorted Mr.. Hardness, "for I'm pre-
pared to meet them
Are you here as counsel TO MI
Craven" asked Senator Thompson.
I'm here because you brought me
down here. I'm -dvising Mr. Craven
as his friend"
Mr.. Moss told Mr.. Hardness quietly
that be was advising him out OF pure
personal regard not to say any more.
Saws Coleman Advised Him.
After the committee disposed of Mr.
Craven, who said that George ;. Cole
man. chief counsel TO the commission
had advised him that the items in the
1927 900 allowance he made 20 the In
terborough on its prior determination
claim were proper, Mr.. Coleman was
called. That was the best answer he
could give for approving the claim.
Mr.. Coleman, who when on the stand
last week, testified that he could not re-
call any OF the interviews counsel en-
gagged in the friendly Admiral Realty
suit had with him, denied that he said
the charges were proper. All he said
was that one of the items allowed, some
SOS 900 for counsel fees was jeason-
able. Senator Thompson, incidentally
asked Oscar 5. Straus, chairman of The
commission. TO remove him as the re-
suit of his last weeks testimony.
Mr.. Coleman proved as trying a wit
ness yesterday as he was last week
Several times Senator Thompson had
to step TO the relief of Mr. Moss, Mr.
Shuster and his assistants. and Mr.
Smith. TO force the witness to answer
questions.
These two witnesses were the only
Continued on page s. column )