The New York herald., 1921-10-08
Liar Shouts Connolly at
Meyer Inquiry, Witnesses
Echoing Epithet in An
swering Graft Queries.
CRAMPS SPOIL MEMORY
Jack Phillips, Reputed Unof-
ficial Gar, Denies Checks,
Defies Investigators and
Says He is Broke

Henry e. Fox, president of the
Fox-Reynolds Construction Company,
testified before the Meyer committee
yesterday in City Hall that he was
warned to keep out of Queens con-
tracts, and after submitting a bid
which was too low to please "the
gang was informed he could have
made an extra $4,000 on a s173,0OO
Job II he "got in with the boys"
When he first ventured into Queens
Mr.. Fox was told he would have his
brains blown out if he began cutting
in on the business. He named John NJ.
Phillips. formerly Under Sheriff of
Queens. as the unofficial head" OF
the Queens sewer business, and stated
that he had been harassed by officials
in carrying out his contract Phil
lips is the agent for the Lock Joint
Pipe Company of New Jersey, and is
considered mysterious power in
Queens.
Thomas F.. Purcell, a bonding
|
Queens contractors, testified he was
informed by Phillips that $4,000
which was paid to the latter in con.
nection with the transfer OF con-
tract was turned into campaign
fund to aid Maurice Z. Connolly,
Borough President, when candidate
for the Supreme Court.
4 y RhiIIips's Friends Get Jobs.
Purcell testified that contracts
amounting to millions" were thrown
out and sublet and that a contractor
friendly to Phillips usually got the
Job.
only this morning saw the Bor.
ough President talking with Phillips
in the corridor when I came in.'
Purcell said In his testimony.
He is liar" rang through the
Aldermanic chamber, and in a second
the room was in an uproar. As Mr..
Purcell uttered his charge Mr.. Con-
molly jumped to HIS feet and yelled
his denial. Cries of approval and
disapproval followed and order was
not restored for several minutes.
After that It became quite the fash.
ion of the day for witnesses to call
some one liar. Purcell passed the
lie back to Connolly a few minutes
later. and Phillips, during a long
aaooio, IN the cfopd MO, caroro,. ,.
his distribution of that title to con-
tractors, witnesses and others.
Phillips was the most trucuIent wit
ness who has faced the committee.
Denying all charges. he said he worked
solely for his company. declared he
was broke" but asked the committee
not to worry about that; laid his bad
memory regarding contracts to not
feeling we'll and having cramps. and
in thunderous voice repudiated all
allegations made on the witness stand
that he had profitcd unfairly in Queens
sewer contracts.
suIxcr's Partner Gets Cash.
OF the $4,000 received by him. in
fair deal. he said. and which wit
nesses have testified was demanded for
4 campaign fund. Phillips said $4,000
or $4,000 went TO ex-Gov. A. +. Spriggs
of Montana. erstwhile partner OF
William Sulzer, the impeached Cover
nor of New York.
Mr.. Fox said he was a graduate engi-
neer and had been in the general cou-
tracing business for thirty years. flo
enumerated big works he had done.
Samuel Berger, associate counsel. took
I'D the bids for an electric pumping sta
ton connected with the Genesee street
sewer In Queens.
The Fox company bid was .173.s7s:
Joseph L. sigretto & Co. s224.0s0:
Frank Spinelia. s22s.7os. and two other
contractors larger sums.
After the bid was put In. in January.
1920. John NJ. Phillips. whom knew
slightly. called me on the telephone
Mr. Fox testified. Mrs Ada r. Dudley
was stenographer In his offlSe. the Wit
ness said. and he instructed her and
Mr.. Crowley, q clerk, TO take down tho
conversation. The transcript Of the talk
was offered In evidence as follows:
''phlliips--wili YOU please have Mr..
Fox write me letter abou. the lock
Joint pipe required for the pumping sta
ton and will confirm TT"
Mrs Dudley--Just n minute, here is
Nr. Fox now"
phillips TO F'ox--Why didn't you lay
off that Job today sent word for You
to do so. You spoiled our game *
that boy you sent over had only been
I four minutes later II would have gonc
right l have nothing against you. but
have against that fellow you had doirs
your figuring for you
"Fox--who did have doing my tig-
uring for meg'
"Phillips--why. that fellow LeshN I