New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-01

correspondence showing it. He would
not elaborate on this. saying 1t would
be revealed at the proper time. ,
Mr. Moss began the examination OF
Mr.. Grout by asking him who employed
him TO act for the lnterborough. Inc
witness replied Mr.. Shonts did. d,
"He Mr.. Shontsl told me, explained
Mr.. Grout, that Mr.. Rogers was ABOUT
TO 20 % Europe and he wanted me 10
take charge Of the negotiations.
This date was later fixed as June 49,
1911.
"Did you take charge of the negotis-
tions?" asked Dir. Moss.
81 did, for about two months.
Can you state IN genera! terms what
you did"
when Mr.. Shonts first saw me the
McAneny report was not made puollc'
I wanted TO see it before taking charge.
After examining the report ! saw MT.
Shonts again, and told hlm that II ne
was going TO press his objection against
the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company
coming into Manhattan | would not IN
dertake it. Mr. Shonts agreed not TO
press his objection
The witness then told OF the numer-
Gus conferences he had with repre-
sentatives Of the Interborough, the
city, Public Service Commission and
Morgan & Co. Dir. Shonts, he explained,
was very much aggrieved at the terms
of the McAneny report and refused
to continue the negotiations on these
terms. lie said a big part Of his work
was to bring the opposing factions TO
an amicable understanding. He made
his first successful step in this dlrec-
ton zone day in the latter part OF
June"
On that day, he said, Kingsley Mar
tin, then Bridge Commissioner, who
acted largely as Mayor Gaynor's rep
resentative in the negotiations with
the marlborough. came 10 the Inter
borough Offices. Also came Seth Low,
who, Mr. Grout said, was appointed by
the Chamber OF Commerce 20 help IN
the negotiations and who seconded Mr.
Grout's efforts to bring Mr.. Shonts to
u point where he would resume the
negotiations.
Acted for Interborough-
Mr.. Shonts, he said, reluctantly
agreed to call up Mr.. McAneny. who
was chairman Of the special committee
Of the Board of Estimate, and make an
appointment. One was made and kept,
he said. Present at il were Mr.. Shonts,
+. L. J. Gaynor, auditor OF the Inter
borough; Andrew Freedman and him
self, representing the lnterborough
Mr.. Dawson and young Mr.. Morgan
for Morgan e. Co; Mr. McAneny, Bor-
ough President Cromwell NOW Sen
ator) Of Richmond and Borough Presi-
d~nt Miller Of The Bronx, representing
tho city. and members Of the Public
Service Commission.
Nothing definite came Of this con
ference; but one held in July-about
the 10th or I1th--at which most of the
men named above, with the exception
of Mr.. Shonts, were present. II was pro-
posed by the representatives OF the
city that the marlborough accept a
contract giving ii preferential divi-
dend of s per cent.
After several days" said Mr.. Grout,
"Mr. Shonts made counter PROPOSE
ton of per cent. After many confer
ences uptown and downtown-the up
town ones were held at either Mr.. Will
cox's house or at the Metropolitan
Club and lasted until long after mid
Might've finally got to some sort OF
terms. Mr.. Mitchell and Mr. Prender-
CAST were at one, Mr.. Morgan and Mr..
Dawson az two or three end the Pub
lie Service Commission was represent
ed at all Mr.. Prendergast was at first
against II and later changed his mind.
Mayor Gaynor was not in favor OF II
at any time | was concerned in the ne
The contract was finally
put through. understand. by the Penn
sylvania Railroad. The Interborough
received SIC per cent of preferential
dividend"
"Who recommended you 10 Mr..
Shonts?" asked Mr.. Moss.
"Mr. Freedman"
"Did 1t come to you as surprise"
at did"
"Did you consult Mr.. Freedman"
"Yes. Mr.. Freedman was in all the
negotiations"
"Was anything said to you about
vour being a former associate OF Mayor
Gaynor?"
Not q word. ] was Mr.. Gaynor's a.
scciate nearly twenty years before.