The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-10
EBIES BEGGING LETTER.
ASKED CORPORATIONS TO PAT FOR
LEGISLATIVE INTERROGATION.
Democratic Leader Allen spriuEs n Sensation
I'm the New jersey ~Assembiy-As y Rcsuit
tho Appointed 60 Investigate
noEus BuIidinE Associations Resigns.

Hogun buituiuE ASSOCIATIONS HeetEnp.
TRENTON, N. j., Feb. 9.-Thcro was a sensn-
ton In the House this morning. Assemblyman
Allen Of Hudson, the Democratic leader, and a
member of the special to investigate
bogus building and loan associations, rising to
n question of personal privilege, sent to the
clerks desk to DO read n newspaper clipping.
1t charged that Alvin c. Ebie, tho Chairman OF
the committee, had sent out n printed circular
TO the old.line or local associations asking for
contributions to defray the expenses of conduct.
Ing the Investigation. The circular was dated
state OF New Jersey, Assembly Chamber, Tren-
ton, n. j." and contained the printed SIGNATURE
of Chairman Ebie. Annexed was n copy of tho
resolution authorizing the investigation. and
showing that tie Speaker had appointed Mcssrs.
Ebie OF Essex, Wood Mckee of Passaic. J. NJ.
Bell Of Bergen, Eugene c. Cole Of Cape May and
Mr.. Allen of Hudson.
Tho circular, signed by Chairman Ebio, con-
tanned this statement:
You will notice that the object is to probe the
get-rich.quick' concerns doing business on the
building and loan plan. They are certainly inJurins
our old plan and Legitimate associations. and l feel
that the result Of our investigation will expose them
and benefit the old, reliable Institutions. In order to
succeed In having the resolution adopted and the
appointed 1 had to refrain from all ex.
pense except q stenographer II necessary. I now
ind that there will be quito an expense connected
with the investigation which will DO unavoidable.
and as Chairman Of the committee am expected to
see that It 10 mat.
As your Institution will be benefited by the result
and we wish to go to work at once, 1 take the liberty
to solicit q small contribution from you.
After tho circular had been read Mr.. Allen
said he considered that 1t besmirched him., as q
member of the committee. and reflected upon
his fellow members. He repudiated tho circu.
lar. which no said had not been authorized nv
the committee. There should be an inquiry
into the matter or he would resign from tho
Messrs. Bell and Mckee also d~isavowod any
knowledge of tho circular: and Mr., Cole said IL
seemed incredible that Chairman Ebio should
send out such q letter.
MIR. Ebie was absent this morning and on Mr..
Returned and had a chance to- explnin. Mr.
Ebie is an auditor of tho New Jersey Building
and Loan Association OF Newark and n travel
Ing salesman for the Standard OIL Company.
All the other member OF the are
lawyers.
ton to the House.. He admitted writing the
letter soliciting contributions, and said hc had
the other committeeman He intended to in
form them at the next meeting of the commit.
tee. He had found that money would be need.
ppnas, and pay the stenographer, and some
friends had suggested that tho local companies
vestigation was in their interest. Mir. Ebie
said he had acted in good faith, and had thought
no was doing, the right thing to protect the
State and the legitimate association stockhOld.
ers. In order to relieve the committee and tho
House Of embarrassment. he would resign from
the committee.
The other committeeman also resigned, and
then Mr.. Allen suggested that the vacancies
should not DO filed. Tho transaction had
handicapped any committee that might DO ap.
pointed. 1t was an unusual proceeding to ask
corporations, to aid in an investigation for
which the State was able and willing to pay.
Mr.. Porter defended MIR. Ebie and the other
members Of the committee absolved him of any
intent to do wrong. Then the House voted
that n new committee should be appointed to
do the work, which is to see how an association
can keep its promise to pay TO a stakeholder
800 at the expirn Con of IA months on the pay
ment OF % cents a month during that period.
The Senate to-day passed the bills incorporat-
and confirming the sale of the Now York and
Greenwood Lake Railroad to the Eric Rail-
road. Tho nomination of James :. Erwin MS
Prosecutor of Hudson county was confirmed.
Winfield. resigned. -
The House amended Weller's bill imposing
old maids to pay a similar tax. Then the bill
was advanced TO third reading. 1t was intro.
dpGed as a joke. and is being SO considered; but
Who f Is !" Bachelor Io p vasStcd s the chair " to Me-.
Lawshe while the bill was under consideration.
Acting Gov, Voorhees,, and Senator Stokes arc
also unmarried.
Mr.. Marnell to-day introduced a bill to pro-.
tect the Hudson River Palisades. which makes
1t illegal for any person or corporation to blast
1000 feet of any navigablc stream. The pen
atty is $1,000 fine, one years Imprisonment, or
both.
the la W of 1858 which authorizes ferries then in
existence to fix the rate of feIriage between
Jersey City and New York: This would put
in force the law of 100, which gives TO Boards
riage. By this means the Jersey City people
hope to secure lower rates.