New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-20
Investigators Will Dig
Into Subway Building
Letter To-day.
THOMPSON AGAIN
ATTACKS WHITNEY
Tells of Supposed Deal for
Quarter, but Commissioner De-
MES He Sought Mercy.

Theodore ?. Shonts was reported
we'll yesterday, and this morning he
will be recalled TO the stand by the
Thompson committee. The examina-
tion Of the Interborough head will be
along lines 70 show that the proposal
he made IN a so-called unsigned letter
to William r. Wilcox on March %,
1910. to build the subways with Inter
borough money was in all respects an
offer 70 build.
II has been contended BY Mr.. Will
cox, TO whom the letter was addressed
as chairman Of the Public Service Com
mission by Commissioner Travis Whit
ney. then secretary Of the commission,
and by Controller Prendergast that
this was an informal proposal.
The committee expects to prove that
this was not the casc. Senator Thomp-
son and Frank Moss, counsel 10 the
committee. hope 10 show that this was
not only a legitimate offer. but that il
was formally ratified on or about March
%, 1910, by the marlborough board
OF directors
II was one month later that Mr..
Shonts. with Mirsbeau Towns, visited
Mayor Gsynor a. his home in St
James. After this meeting Of the
MAYOR and the Interborough head the
city abandoned its proposed tri-bor-
ough route. TO be built and operated
By tho city. Then the Interborough
made the dual subway system proposal,
which was accepted.
Senator Thompson said that the
statement issued BY Controller Prem
dergast last week to the effect that
the proposal Of the lnterborough IN
this Shonts unsigned letter was differ
ent than what was finally accepted
vas true-technically.
The Prendergast Letter.
Controller Prendcrgast's letter was
technically true" said Senator 1homp-
son. "for the Interborough proposed
not only 20 build an East Side subway
up Madison Avenue. instead Of LeNlng-
ton. but in addition TO build a loop
under the East River and moving
platform from Fourteenth street or
whereabouts to Times square
Then Senator Thompson renewed ms
attack on Commissioner Whitney, say
ing that a stenographer employed by
the committee had told him that Mr..
whitney offered 10 aid the committee
II Senator Thompson Jet up on his fight
against his confirmation as Public SER
vice Commissioner.
"Whitney." aaid Senator Thompson.
feels that he must not squeal. He
feels he must not give anything volun-
tarily and must only help the commit
tee when forced 20. That seems TO be
the inheYible rule % every one down
here whom We have examined so far
Commissioner Whitney in reply said
that he had not assumed any such at
titude and had not suggested to an en-
ployc Of Senator Thompson that he
wanted Senator Thompson TO let up IN
his fight against him.
1T seems that II is not safe 20 talk
with Senator Thompson or any repre-
sentative OF his without having a wit
ness present" said Commissioner
Whitncy. "Tne last thing that had
ever been in my mind was TO undertake
10 make "a deal with Senator Thomp-
son. think that my confirmation By
the Senate after his unfair fight is
sufficient answer TO anything he has
said about me.
con March { saw Senator Thomp-
son at his request. lie said: Il hear
you are n little disturbed. The only
thing | know about Is this Brooklyn
elevated business that Senator Lawson
IS talking about. What have YOU got
on your mind? ! replied: 4 think
there are some things you can go after
for example, the Undertaking con-
tracts. | have no facts. but 1t il a sub
iect that should be investigated thor
oughly I think you also ought to talk
with Mr.. Wilcox. who had negotiations
with Mr. Shonts which were busted by
Mayor GaynOr'
Senator Thompson was then an hour
late for another engagement and agreed
20 see me later at the Harvard Club. I
waited there for him, but he did not
show up"