New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-25

nor II was marked personal, and
q DAVIS absence IN Chicago, and had q
talk with Mr. Freedman, ana IN &C
cordance with his talk with you ! an
incIosing YOU a copy of draft OF the
subway matters ui,er discussion a
proposed by Mr.. County, assistant 10
llr Rea
/ "Yc., win appreciate il is not FIN
isbed document. as 10 is only intended
TO cover the essential principles and
not the details Of the proposed trade.
"Whv did you send this marked Per
sonap?" asked Mr.. Moss.
because it was not meant for gen
eral distribution" said Mr. Shontsi
causing a laugh.
arbitrator"
Il was not"
as there any reason why a power
ful corporation should deal with the
Mayor except in an official way?'
Il usually do that when I'm sending
documents not meant for general dis
tribution."
Mr.. Moss then brought out the con
tents of the Enclosure 10 Mayor Gay
nor, which was the Interborough :
proposal TO build the subways, made
public about five weeks later, when,
on February %, a somewhat similar
draft was sent publicly TO air. Will
cox, then chairman of the Public Ser
/ vice Commission. He said he sent the
/ County memorandum TO Mayor Cay
nor because-this was his recollec-
tion-Mr County requested 1t.
Mr.. Shonts said the proposal sent
TO Mr.. Wilcox on February % was
drafted at noon conference at the
Downtown Club the day previous. Mr..
Shonts said that when he reached the
club he found at the table Seth Low,
!. p Morgan, jr., President Rea OF the
Pennsylvania Railroad; Mr. Rea's as
sistant. Mr.. County; Henry P. Davi-
son, of the Morgan firm, Morgan j.
O'Brien "and others" at a previ-
Gus hearing Mr.. Shonts explained that
Mr. Rea, Mr.. Low and Mr.. O'Brien
stepped into the situations when the
marlborough and the city officials
broke. Their object, he said, was TO
bring the city and the Interborough
together
Mr.. Shonts said he stepped into a
conference room and that those at the
Morgan table followed.
"They said 10 me- continued Mr..
/ Shonts, "that the time had come when
we could formulate plans for a sub
way system. asked Mr.. County TO
act as secretary. We took up the
essential features Of the plan and
discussed them.
Conference in Downtown Club.
an another room were the city
officials. As we decided on feature
we would send it out TO the repre-
sentatives Of the city. Then they
would discuss it. In that way the
general features of the contract which
was finally accepted were agreed to-"
/ Mr.. Moss then started 90 question
the witness about the attitude of the
/ Morgan firm toward the proposition he
submitted 10 Mr.. Wilcox on March p,
/ 1910. 20 build the subway with city
money. Mr. Shonts In his reply started
with an allusion 10 draw poker, when
Mr.. Moss headed him off end said that
wasn't a reply.
"Why don't you let me testify when
my memory is good?" asked Mr.
Shonts, laughing.
an tell you" said Mr. Moss. leaning
across the table. at is because you
make your memory serve your pur-
pose
Mr.. Shonts grew pale. His eyes be-
came small, fiery Sits. Leaning for
ward in the witness chair, his voice
trembling with anger, he said:
you mustn't say that, Mr.. Counsel
| You mustn't make remarks like that
/ If you do III have 20 appeal TO the
chairman. ] challenge you 10 deny this
/ statement that no corporation and No
individual has been freer in opening
up all the files and books 20 this com
mittee as the luteroorough and my
self"
Mr.. Moss next read a letter from Mr.
Shonts to Mr.. Dawson, of the Morgan
firm. II was dated March 10, 1910, and
inclosed draft Of proposal he was
ready TO submit 20 the city. This was
/ the proposition to build with INTERIOR
Ough money.
/ Mr. Shonts said he never asked
| Mayor Gaynor 20 act as arbitrator be
tween the lntcrborough and the Public
Service Commission. lie said 1t was
I the Mayor who suggested 1t. Inc
. Mayor, he declared. said;
"You two fellows can't agree. III
act as arbitrator
Mr.. Moss read another letter from
/ Mr.. Shonts 10 Mr. DAWSON. 1t was
I dated November 80, 1910, and inclosed
draft of another proposition the
Interborough was ready 70 make TO the
city. In 1t occurred this line: Our
mutual friend thinks it time 20 send II
(the proposition in -,
After considerable fencing Mr.
Shonts said "our mutual friend" might
have indicated Mayor Gaynor or Mr.
| Wilcox. At first he said he thought
] il might have been Mr. Rea.