The Washington times., 1934-11-01
DESCRIBES HOW
He GAVE MD
To EDISON
Former Utilities Car Appears
Confident As He Takes
Stand in Own Defense
BY COPELAND C. BURG


and patron of the arts, Samuel In.
sull took the witness stand today
in Federal Judge James H. Wilker-
sons courtroom.
The elderly dean of the II de-
PENDANTS on trial for mail fraud in
the financing of the Corporation
Securities Company, insult invest
ment trust. was called to the
stand as the first witness for the
defense.
He spoke not only for himself
and his son. but the IS other
former La Sale Street big shots"
who were swept with him before
the bar OF justice after the col
lapse of his vast financial empire
in 1892.
Appears Confident
He began to speak in confident,
carefullychosen words-there was
not a hint of an apologetic,
Shrunken old man.
1nSun-"75 next Sunday week."
he stated as his age-only now
and then lapsed into the Cockney
accent of the scene of his child
hood in London's west-end and
the "aitcheS" only occasionally
bobbed up in the wrong places or
were entirely missing.
With no objection from oppos-
ing counsel, insult launched forth
into the story of his rise and fall.
There was even a hint of pride
in his voice as he told Of his birth
in England and his rise from
tumble beginnings. He related
he got his first job at IA in an
auctioneer's office at 5 shillings
. week.
insult then launched into a
sentimental reminiscence of his
association with Mr.. Edison.
He told of meeting E. H. John
son, technical advisor to Mr..
Edison in London. a meeting that
led to his coming to America in
February, 1881.
Tells of Phone Work
There was something challeng-
ing. something to admire and al
most marvel at as the witness
looked squarely at the jurors
through his pince-nez and said:
II happen to claim distinc-
ton of operating the first teIe-
phone exchange for one-haK
hour outside Of the exchanges
erected within. the United
States.
81 looked after Edis0n's az
fairs. Everything from his
correspondence to seeing that
his clothes were pressed"
When he mentioned Mr.. Edi-
sons first wife he blinked his eyes
and choked.
insult then related how Mr.. Edi-
son told him he needed money to
launch his three electric light com
panies and chattingly he said to
the jury:
During all the years that
followed I found everybody in
that business needed it."
Then insult, with the confidence
even the arrogance for which he
was so celebrated in his palmy
days in Chicago-asserted:
johnson and Edison knew
that although was only a boy
know something about financ-
ing because London even as 1t
is today is the center of Europe
and had come in contact
with those who had money"
Mr.. Edison's needs, the witness
said. turned out to be about
$300,00O and insult was con-
suited by the inventor as to how
to raise this sum.
"Put Me in Front"
insult said:
s'It was 3 forcefuI circunl-
stance to me. It put me in
the front right off at the start
In close contact with him.
insult then went to Schenec-
tady, N. Y, to take charge of con-
solidated plants, and when Mr..
Edison sent him off he said, ac-
cording to insult:
"What ever you do Sammy,
make a brilliant success or a
brilliant failure. Do something.
Make it CO."
Proud, still arrogant, insult
then raised his voice so that it
could be heard in every corner of
the courtroom and asserted:
''YOu know, I made a great
deal Of money for Mr.. Edison"
insult then related how he fl
nally became president Of the Chi
cago Edison Company and told of
his early days here.
His salary, back in 1892. was
$4,000 a year. He told Of bor-
rowing $250,000 from the late
Marshall Field, stock purchased
therewith being applied as col
lateral.
insult related some financial
nroblems of 1893 and finally came
TO the formation of the Public
Service Company of Northern H.
RinoiS