The Jersey City news., 1905-03-31


] Mr.. Ege understand II.
The chair read the resolution.
1.-THE charges are in i newspaper ar
ticlv. are they9v asked Mr. Record.
MI. Duirield showed the True Amer
icanv article to tile witness Tie latter
said he had read the article. but was not
familiar with II.
Did you specify that names were
specified as to those who were fixed, as
the article stateda1
Il did not
~Did you tell him that $500 was paid
for votes ss''
Il did not, hut let me explain. Mr..
Conover met me Tuesday afternoon. He
asked if had heard Of the bribery
charges in connection with the canal bill.
! L replied / had. and that was the fact,
not only myself but all the newspaper
men and most Of the members being
aware Of it,
He asked me if I had heard $500 was
paid. said had He asked me if |
had heard $500 more was to be paid. I
told him / had 50 heard, and that was
all there was 10 the incident. Z
Mr.. Ege was asked if he had facts in
his possession that could aid the investi-
cation. He replied he had heard reports.
He could not say that they were true.
A controversy followed between Mr..
Record and Mr.. Dufield as to what con-
stituted privileged communication to a
newspaper manSin the pursuit of his busi-
ness. Mr.. Ege preeipipated the discus
sion by saying that he could name the
man who spoke to him concerning the re
ports, and Immediately added that he
would not.
The discussion reached the stage that a
vote was taken as to whether the body
would consider as confidential statements
made to others by him in professional
capacity. The committee ruled that the
communication must not be withheld
from the investigation. Mr., Ege still re-
fused to answer the question as to who
spoke to him regarding the alleged bribes
and attempts at bribery. He said:
Il have been newspaper man for
fourteen years. / have always been
taught that the ethics Of the profession
were contrary to such conduct. cannot
at this late day go back on that principle,
land ! aeelilae "a
Did you receive information from any
body except newspaper correspondents? z
asked Mr.. Dunield
T did, he replied.
''Who were theys.
7 won't answer that question:.
sOn what ground2'
Simply because / won't.''
Did any member Of tins House tell
you he had been offered bribeg''
Il decline to answer said Ege.
'Whyl' asked Mr.. Duffield.
Because" began the witness.
Il object said Mr. Record. Either
the committee can or cannot compel
this witness to answer these questions,
but it has no right to asK him his rea-
sons for not answering.
/ Mr., Duffield remarked that unless the
witness was compelled 10 answer ques-
tons the investigation might as well
cease
After q consultation Mr.. Colby re
marked that a mistake seemed to exist
as to the witness position. He was moi
being presented.
The last question was again repeated,
The witness again refused to reply. He
offered some advice to the committee
saying if it desired to get at the truth
Of the matter to put the members of the
House under oatl. and ask them the
! questions. The committee rebuked the
witness for his position in this respect
/ Further efforts were made to make
the witness answer questions. The wit
ness remained respectfully defiant to the
committee, and Mr. Dnfield. becoming
exasperated, moved that the records oi
the proceedings be submitted to the At
torney General to submit report as t
the powers of the committee in tht
premises.
Mr.. Marelli offered an amendment
that the Attorney General be instructed
to report forthwith. This was opposed
but was adopted.
The committee then adjourned tbs
hearing while they repaired to the At
torney- Generals otIice for advice. Tha,
officer, AFTER listening to tile evidence
said he wns IN doubt whether the com
mittee had power u force Mr.. Ege Il