New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-19
SHIPBUILDING INQUIRY.
What the Situation Is at Albany
No Posture fiction Outlined.
rur TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUSE.l


Albany Feb. 1s-Discussion OF a proposed IN
,-estigatfoD 81 the methods OF the United States
Sbfnbuilding Company by the legislature should
AZ the present time be taken with certain
amount OF caution. The situation in nutshe4l
IS this. Senator f. T. Bracket is counsel Tor
certain stockholders I'm that company ne mas al
ready sought through the courts TO OBTAIN re-
dress FOR his clients a result OF the IeIuSai Va
certain narties 10 square up" his clients losses;
Senator Bracket, who IS known beyond the
limits Of his own county for shrewdness Is Wen
aware that the prospect of n legislative lnvesu-
cation may not be pleasing certain persons or
interests: that I'm point Of fact the prospect Vi
sucb clearing up Of certain methods might De
distinctly distasteful 20 those against Whonh nc
IS now proceeding in the courts. and mat lney
might be ready to make certain CONCESSIONS
rather than endure the bad quarter OF an hour
they might have with the legislative Coi'i''iiS-
sion which sat in their case
Rearing these facts in mind, II should also pe
s.,s e., tustness 10 Senator Bracket that he Is
%. talking about a legislative Investigation, that
&c NOT TO any decided extent. at least; he might
be fairly said to be IN the position OF not deny
ing ANYTHING that suggests such an Inquiry; lot
reasons that are apparent. when he Is questioned
he shakes his head looks severe and then admits
that something ought 10 be done or even that
lie IS at times hearing OF some such plans Out
so far rs any one knows he has not committed
himself TO any absolutely positive statement
out OF which he could he forced laler 10 'iisi9'
upon such inquiry.
Neither Senator Bracket nor any OF MS
clients are I'm the least anxious tp stop the dis
-,,esiou Of the possibility Of an investigation
and Il certainly is true that in the past that
raople have made settlements rather than SUD
nit 20 long annoying and not entirely enJoyaole
publicity. Companies have been known 10 seltle
claims under such circumstances, and certainly
Senator Bracket. while it can be positively SAID
he is not himself attempting to use a WHIP Is
not unaware Of the strategic position he occu-
pies in the present situation. He does not leel
called upon TO deny stories which he is morally
assured he did not I'm the first instance set
aaoat. II they help him. he Is not avoiding
their assistance
Now Senator MaIby Is I'm another position en-
,frslv. he has no clients involved. he is free to
feel as he does feel. that the methods or Ger
tain corporations. organized outside or the state
are a menace 90 public investors. he says 50
frankly. and what he has said about the need
Of an Investigation has certainly materially I'M
proved the strength Of Senator Brackets POSI-
ton. but. OF course. this has been entirely I'M
intentional That a resolution asking Tor an III
vestIgation may be introduced before the session
IS over. and introduced by Senator Malby. -
Senator MaIbv will draw the resolution has
been doubted. hut it should be remembered In
consideration Of all present reports from Al
hanv Of an investigation Just what effect these
reports might have in certain quarters, ana III
would surprise no one ~ the tapltol II 'lea0
/ resolutions were never introduced, ds result
OF course Of the great pressure OF leslS4a'''A
I expected later.
OF course, the presence OF a number Of dis
+ tiuguished lawyers or public men IN the city IN
. shipuuilding situation. but District Attorney
. Jerome. whose presence was announced as en-
tirely due TO this came Up and talked 20 lle
. Codes Committee "A bill he was Interested lh'
and went away without single consultation
about shipbuildinE; Winthrop +. ScarTtt sup
ported automobile hili and Departed w. -
Guthrie came 10 the Capitol with the railroad
1 measures. discussed in another column, ana. 50
l Ear can he learned, did not tax with any one
about shiphuildiug. while eX-Secretary Root
I wandered about the corridors waiting TOT ms
Csc I'm fhe court Of Appeals and exchanged
foxes with ex-senator David b. HIN. But IL Is
perfectly easy 20 see how much color would he
given TO "a story Of Investigation II X were
understood that all OF these persons did come 10
this city 20 talk about this matter. and. although
they did not. the story was carefully hefallel
abroad.
That an investigation IS possible. OF even con-
I formulated IS not unlikely. but, despite the
r1lrrors that such an investigation is TO be pro-
/ yIdcd FOR by a resolution introduced early next
week there IS the best authority for 'he asser-
Z ton that IN several high quarters u Is not an
ticpated Il has been said by certain legislators
who affect poker phrases that there is no niue
/ "bluffinE'' going or. That something more SeIl-
| Gus might result II attempt were made 10
call the blur IS by no means unlikely Tor
there is "A general feeling that an Investigation,
not OF course limited o one company, would
! be justified on grounds Of public necessity and
! interest. but the other side OF the situation
should not he forgotten. either Not during the
/ present session has any matter provoked so
much discussion and Sd little actual evidence
4 IS the rumorcd legislative Investigation. which
apparently may be settled In or out Of court as
ffIa raytlps interested may determine.