The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-05-06
PRESIDENT OF |. & n.
Continued From first PaxsJ

tcontinued From FIRST PaxeD
Norman II. Staples. an Alabama steam
BOAT operator. who had been finanSi-
ally aided by the Louisville and Nash.
vile. His answer was a typewritt.n
statement OF several thousand words.
Counsel on both sides protested but he
insisted on reading TO the end.
There was a series of questions near
the close OF the examination that Mr.
Smith did not answer. To each OF
thcm his counsel interposed objections
and an admOnition 10 refuse TO testify.
The witness laughed as counsel argued
over them. After each argument ne
endeavored to compose his features
and solemnly replied:
by advice OF counsel | decline TO
answer"
Campaign Contributions.
These questions included whether
ne had been ordered by the roads di-
rectors to use road funds for political
purposes or had conferred with the
directors regarding such contribu-
lions. had been present at any con-
terences OF railroad maEnates Consid-
cring the policy Of political contribu-
tions. had ever made contribute to
a party he or a majority OF the road =
stockholders opposed. had made con-
tributions with view To purchase pO-
ltical favor. had reported contribu-
lions 10 directors or stockholders, or
" td' udl uftu the lllhlI OF the ROAD
contributions or what was it's policy
as between the Republican and Demo
cratic parties
All these questions. with others re-
lating 20 campaign collections, will be
certified TO the district supreme coure
here within a day or two by counsel
tor the commission in motion to
compel Mr Smith to answer. Counsel
for both sides viii ask that the mo-
ton be- expedited. II was indicated
that in case of an adverse decision To
MIR smith the contest might be- car.
ri"d 10 the United States supreme
court Mr. Smiths testimony durinA
the afternoon session concerned large
~ thc suicide Of Captain Staples and
ne l.. & Ms interests in various com
mcrcial and industrial enterprises.
Those Free Passes
Turning 10 tho subject OF free
passes. Joseph W Folk chief counsel
Tor the commission. read.
During 1913 the Louisville x Nash
vile issued To public officials and at
the request Of public officials free
passes TO the number OF 6.3S2. repre-
senting trans portatlon to the value of
S6l.121. and the Nashville. Chatth-
nooga * ST. Louis railroad. majority
OF whose stock is owned by the L. 4
y. issued TO public officials and at
the request OF public officials tree
passes to the number of 1850. repre-
senting transportation TO the value Of
Sloi,52l. Do you approve OF this prac-
tiCe Of issuing free passes"
Senator Lea Of Tennessee. author of
the investigation resolution. interposed
an objection before the witness could
answer. Mr.. Lea said that he would
prefer to have this line Of questioning
deferred until he could be represented
BY counsel and the question was al
lowed 10 pass.
Mr.. Smith was asked If he knew r.
+. Fleming.
Yes he replied. Mr. Fleming is
our legislative agent in Kentucky for
about two months every two years
The rest of the time he is our immi-
grafton and industrial agent
II Is his duty as legislative agent TO
watch out for proposed legislation
10 do what he can to defeat IL. some
times. believe. he helps in propos-
ing helpful legislation"
Mr. Smith thought that the road had
Silimar agents in Tennessee and Ala
bama, although he didn't recall their
names. Work Of this sort in Georgia
he thought was, attended 10 for the l.
q y. by a representative OF the
Georgia railroad. He did not know
whether sydney !. Bowie had received
$4,000 from the l.. d y. for work done
IN opposing certain legislation in Ala
bama in 1912.
Secret Service Fund.
At the afternoon session. Mr. Smith
vas. asked If he or the Louisville 4
Nashville had not spent $4,000 in Ala
bama in campaign against rate re-
ductiOns advocated hy former Gov
ernor Conner. The witness refused to
answer.
Mr.. Folk then took up consideration
Of so-called secret service fund OF
1925 600 spent by the Louisville a
Nashville thorugh j. r. Harlan. its
special agent at Louisville. and other.
between 1906 and 1914 Counsel Jou.
EFT for the l.. & y. vigorously opposed
testimony concerning this fund
This money" he said. was not
spent in a way that is involved in anv
81 the affairs now under Investigation
This il a secret service branch Of our
work II Involves certain confidential
matters with relation TO one depart
ment or the l.. * y. similar 10 that
which prevails I'm every other road
The publication Of its details would he
unnecessarily Injurious 10 our road.
How ~ was Loaned
LEXINGTON, Ky. Nav Sin OK
planning Tho statement 81 President MI
ton IT, Smith before the invoqffF4fIng
committee 90 Washington. that he had
loaned money e. tn~ city ~ T.rvfnFtor
city officials here to-day. explained thrt