The sun., 1919-05-10


committee had decided not to accept our
proposition and not TO send the retainer
I should not have thought OF attempting
TO hold them.
There was no intention TO deceive any
member OF the committee about this
subject The absurdity Of II must be
apparent II would be 30 easily proved
The subject must be a matter of record
with the corporation. and the president
and counsel there at the time. and ready
to testify"
willing to Give Information.
Mr. whitman said he was anxious and
willing to give every bit OF Information
to the committee he could. but he hoped
the members could finish with him be-
fore adjournment. II Is probable he will
not be recalled. He urged that II they
wanted any more Information as to what
his Arm had done for the marlborough
they call Judge william L. Ransom. his
partner. who he said had a legal plan
by which he thought the companies
might obtain increased fares in spite of
the failure OF the Carson Martin bill 70
pass,
The witness suggested also that they
I call George A. Glynn, chairman
of the Republican State Committee. who
had asked him to see Senator Thompson,
not In connection with the transit legis-
latlon. but in regard to the Senate 3
reputed drifting away from the Repub-
lican party. This came out in the ef-
fort Of Mr.. Moss to fasten on Mr. Witt
man the burden OF having sought on
interview with Senator Thompson, tre
chairman OF the Senate Public Service
Committee after his retention by the
Interborough.
'Mr. Giynn had told me-" Mr.. Whit
man said. that Senato-s would be down
in the city for the parade OF the Twenty
seventh Division. that ho wanted me to
tall; with Senator Thompson and one or
two others-he did not mention the
others--that Senator Thompson was
away as he expressed II from the
party that he thought after he had
talked with him that It might be a good
thing n I would see him and talk things
over. or words to that effect"
Governor. do you hold any party po-
sition. any official party position ?" asked
Senator Black.
mo. am sorry to say do not"
Il understood you to testify that the
chairman of the Republican State Com
mittee said Senator Thompson was leay-
ing the party"
II did not say that Senator Thorp-
son was leaving the party. said he
was not working with the party. or
woI dis TO that effect"
Did you take any steps to reconcile
Senator Thompson with the party"
''Oh. no, we talked over the situation
generally. I prefer that you call Mr..
Glynn. he will tell you exactly. As
understand 1t. he talked with Senator
Thompson and asked him to come and
see me. l think he was the only person
who consulted him"
starts Queries on Pratt Bill
Mr. Moss started in on Mr.. Whitman
IN regard to his attitude on the Pratt
bill Of 1918. identical with the Carson
Martin bill OF this year, for the relief
OF the transit companies. Witness de-
MED that any stand he had taken on II
had prevented Its passage. True, he
had been OF the opinion that II was
unwise legislation at the time. but he
had said he would consider IT II passed
Then came the narration of the sug-
gestion by Gen. Vanderbilt that his firm
act as counsel for the PETERBOROUGH and
OF his talks with President Shonts Of
that company. He stated to the latter
that OF course the firm could not be
placed in the position OF doing any lob
bying or influencing OF legislation.
IT understand that" replied Mr.
Shonts. They did talk Of the possibility
OF the Carson Martin bill passing Some
one had said that II II did there would
be lot Of legal work in presenting the
companies cases before the Public Ser
vice Commission. This was a chance for
the Whitman firm TO earn a retainer
from the marlborough for many years to
come.
Did you leave that conference with
Mr. Shonts." Mr.. Moss asked, with the
understanding that you had been re-
tained. and II was merely a question OF
time and the making out OF check and
arranging of terms, when you would get
your retainer check"
II II was a question as TO whether
the agreement or the check was re-
tainer the Governor said, he preferred
to look upon the money as the actual
ccrsummation Of the bargain. He de-
clared he had informed Senator Thomp-
son at the famous luncheon that he
had been engaged" by the marlborough.
Examined as to his conversation with
James l.. Quackenbush. counsel OF the
PETERBOROUGH. as TO whether he had
said with reference to his services that
ny had many friends throughout the
State, the Governor replied: Yes,
may nave Stlu tH&l
He had suggested to Mr. Quackenbush
that his firm ought TO have n substantial
retainer in advance, and II was forth
coming; $4,000. according TO his own
figure.
Protest on Perkins Quesies.
There was n violent protest when Mr..
Moss began to ask about the alleged
statements OF Senator Sage IN regard 10
influence supposed to have been used TO
obtain the confirmation OF Mr.. Perkins,
He was told he ought to produce Senator
Sage II he wanted to go into that MI.
Moss replied he thought there was
enough on the Senate records to warrant
and asking him for the proofs, as they
had asked Senator Thompson.
The next shot in the air was in regard
TO Senator Marshall OF Malone. After
much sparring the former Governor said
he had no objection TO answering any
questions, although he thought them i'm
proper. He wanted TO know, Mr.. Moss
declared. as to whether Mr.. Whitman
did not propose to Senator Marshall that
n Marshall would vote for Perkins his
campaign for Senator would be financed
An emphatic NO" came from the wit
ness
THE claim before you in this particu-
lar matter" argued Mr.. Moss, lis
whether Senator Thompson told the
truth or whether Gov. Whitman told the
truth when Senator Thompson said that
Gov Whitman spoke TO him about the
IT.