New-York tribune., 1916-02-18
ChuCkIeS in Telling
How He Won GaynOr
with Flattery.
S125,0O0 BONUS
SURPRISED HIM
lnterborough Head Said
Work Was Worth More
Bought Stock With 1t.

situation" was Bainbridge Colby's
Characterization of three hours talk
Theodore p Shonts. president OF the
Interborough had with tho late Mayor
Gaynor st the Gaynor home. in -.
James. on a Sunday in April. 1910.
The record Of this talk. PRODUCED
while Mr. Shonts was on the stand yes
terday. showed that The man whose
name has been mentioned more than
any other in the last months OF the
Thompson committees investigation
had by this talk paved the way to
converting the Mayor TO the Interior
ouch's plan.
Flattery was one OF Mr.. Shonts's
chief aids in this talk. which was noted
down almost Immediately and tran-
script sent to J. p. Morgan G. Co. One
thing that evidently pleased the late
Mayor was that the Interborough in
tended calling its tube under the East
River the Gaynor tunnel
Mr. Shonts. while witness before
the Thompson committee yesterday. re-
peated his success Of six years back.
Never once was he rufiled. not even
when it was intimated that ne might
have received part Of the $4,000 bonus
that had been awarded the INTERIOR
ough counsel, Richard R. Rogers. He
laughed so heartily when the sugses-
tion was made TO him that every one
in the room joined in, excep, Mr.. Col
by, the committees counsel.
Shonts Has Merry Day.
/ His entire day was one of keen en-
ioyment. He laughed &c he said re
would sign a waiver of immunity, and
time and again he laughed when a
humorous situation was introduced in
evidence. The only time he seemed
serious was when his testimony was IN
evident disappointment to the commit
( tee.
+ II had been intimated that his check
and bank books would show sinister
transactions. They proved the contrary.
His check stubs and cancelled checks,
in the language of Mr.. Colby, were for
household and personal expenses. His
bankbooks showed the deposits Of his
income.
1t will take all Of to-day and to-mor-
row TO conclude Mr. Shontss eXamna-
ton. lie was not asked concerning his
alleged statement 10 the late Gardiner
N. Lane that he incurred certain COM
mitments and obligations in negotiating
the dual subway contracts that would
take $4,000. 900 to wipe out. This will
probably be deferred to the last day.
$1,000. 900 Fund Not Mentioned.
During the story of the visit to ST..
James il came out that Mirabeau l..
Towns. a friend of the late Mayor, ac-
companed Mr.. Shonts on this "trip. Mr..
Towns received $4,000 as outside coun-
sci from the Interborough. Mr.. Shonts
was unable TO say If the $4,000 was
payment for playing courier or COM
panion" Oh this trip.
MIR. Shonts came into the commit
tees room hanked by Delaney ,Nlcoll
and John B. Stanchfeld, but had no oc-
casion at anv time for aid from these
distinguished and high-priced counsel
He played the part of man who was
al peace with himself and the world,
telling the committee that he was
self-made man and rose from the ranks
because God has given me a wonderful
frame. great constitution and the dis
position to work like horse.
Shonts Valves Immunity.
Before being sworn Mr.. Shonts was
asked TO sign "A waiver OF immunity.
Senator Thompson. in making the re
quest. told the prospective witness that
this had been the custom with all WIT
nesses.
Il am advised by counsel" replied
Mr.. Shonts with smile, that there
is no statute which gives witness i'm
munity for testifying before leSis-
lative committee. ! am therefore Will
ing to sign this waiver
Mr.. Shonts signed the waiver, was
sworn. and Immediately settled back
in the chair. Mr.. Colby then began
his examination, having the witness
give the names of the lnterborough
and the related companies which the
witness heads.
/ 81 am now getting 100000 year
salary" said MIR Shonts in answer 20
question. Until two years ago |
received $4,000"
/ Mr.. Shonts explained that when he
was receiving the smaller sum he was
/ president Of four small Western rail-
roads, which brought him in 100000.
II was after resigning from these that
his salary was increased by the Inter
borough.
Bonus Grateful Surprise.
The witness then told Of receiving
the sl5O.OOO bonus. which was awarded
10 him by the board of directors. Con-
cerning the first instalment of this
award, he said:
"The directors voted me sl25,0OO for
extra work | did | was voted Sl25OOO.
Il came TO me as surprise-a very
/ grateful surprise
Mr.. Shonts smiled broadly as he
j Continued ON page ., column