New-York tribune., 1919-05-09

was about to be presented, Mr.. Whit
man told delegation of street railway
men that he would sign the bill IT
passed. When the bill was introduced
it was testified, Mr.. Whitman secretly
opposed the measure, thus killing it.
Other Testimony Recalled
While the testimony was being given
it was recalled by those who have fol-
lowed the investigation that when the
former Governor took the stand in the
early part of the investigation he testl-
fed that he would vote for the IN
creased fare bill if he were Senator.
These three witnesses, together with
Brigadier General Cornelius Wander
bilt, furnished considerable material
in the course of their testimony, which
will be used by Frank Moss, counsel
to Senator Thompson, when he cross
examines Mr.. Whitman to-day. Ex-
Governor Whitman, in denying that he
could have the nomination for Cover
nor in 1920 if he supported the Car
MARTIN bill, swore that Senator
Thompson visited him at the Hotel St.
Regis on his own initiative.
Yesterday Mr.. Quackenbush, to whom
Mr. Whitman is subordinate as an asso-
ciate counsel of the Interborough, testi-
fed that Mr.. Whitman was formally re-
tanned by the Interborough through
Theodore P. Shonts, president, on
March 25. On March 20, he said, he had
an interview with the former Governor
at the latter's office. This was the day
before Senator Thompson charges Mr..
Whitman dangled the nomination for
Governor before him.
Concerning the interview between
him and Mr.. Whitman on March 28, Mr..
Quackenbush said:
"The Governor (Whitman) stated to
partner, had had talk the day be-
fore with Mr.. Shonts. He said: of
course | want you to understand that
| do not mean to 60 behind your back
in regard to employment with your
company l said: Governor, you need
not waste any time discussing that. Mr..
Shonts told me yesterday afternoon he
had arranged to retain your firm, and
that he had said that your firm would
work in conjunction with me, and that
is all satisfactory.
Talk About Retainer
Well he said, you know I also
talked with Mr.. Shonts about the ques-
tlon of a retainer and he said: 1
rather think it would be proper for me
to have retainer without waiting to
render bill for services actually per-
formed | said: That is satisfactory
to me. l am further inclined to think
that is good law procedure. In your
because man who has been in import
ant public office has an asset which has
q diminishing value--it is more valu-
able in the beginning than it becomes
later on
We'll he said, 4 said something to
Mr.. Shonts about $10OO0' l said. That
settles that partio it, He said, 4 also
told Mr.. Shonts that, Of course, l could
not do anything that would have to do
with legislation at Albany or anything
that might be regarded in the nature
OF lobbying, but that Judge Ransom
had wide experience with rate ques-
tions in the Public Service Commits
sion and | had considerable experience
with public matters. | have a great
many friends throughout the state, and
in any way that l could be ser
vlceable, l wanted to be, and Judge
Ransom wanted to be, and he wanted
to know what the situation was
Under questioning by Mr.. Moss, the
witness said he was not in favor of
Mr.. Whitman's retention by the Inter
former Governors alleged double deal
ing with the street railway men, and
told Mr.. Moss he could draw his own
conclusions as to his attitude.
Two days after Mr.. Quackenbush had
the interview with Mr. Whitman, he
said he received the following letter:
"My Dear Mr.. Quackenbush:
Il shall be glad if you will send
check Tor retainer as per our conversa-
t1on on Friday. Very sincerely yours,
Charles S. Whitman"
To which he replied Immediately:
"My Dear Governor:
I'm accordance with yours of to-
day | inclose the company's check for
$4,000 Tor retainer per inclosed BILL
which please receipt and return"
Cancelled Check in Evidence
Mr.. Quackenbush then offered in evi-
dence the cancelled check for $4,000.
He said that when the Pratt bill
was being considered he and Mr..
Shonts visited Governor Whitman at
the Hotel st. Regis and outlined the
condition of the street railways, telling
him that some of them would 90 into
the hands of receivers if relief were
not given. Mr.. Ransom, who then was
SOuuoel 10 tle 1uDllC Service COmmlS-
sion and now MIR. Whitman's partner,
was present at the time. He said the
Governor had expressed sympathy with
the proposed legislation, but when he
was asked to send in an emergency
message to the Legislature he refused.
He said it was unfortunate that it
was too late" said Mr.. Quackenbush.
This was during the last week of the
Legislature. l told him that Speaker
Sweet and Senator Elon R. Brown were
in favor of the relief sought in the
bill, and he said to go ahead, that I
had every one with me. Then, a few
days later, when I again had seen the
Governor in his room in the Capitol. I
met Senator Thompson and told him
that the Governor was in favor of the
bill.
Thompson Gives an Opinion
Senator Thompson said he had lust
visited Governor Whitman and that the
! Governor told him he did not want the
Pratt bill to pass. Thompson said
You're too recent fellow to be
! double crossed like that And what
4 Mr.. Weatherwax told me of his talk
with Governor Whitman confirmed
what Senator Thompson said"
Mr.. Choate, who preceded Mr.. Ouack-
enbush, created considerable laughter
by the manner in which he told Of the
alleged "double crossing" of the street
railways He said that just prior to
the introduction of the Pratt bill