The sun., 1906-01-31
STATE PRINTER TURNED DOWN
SENATE COMMITTEE STANDS BY
INSt RANCE INV VE.S1IG4TORS.
Favorable Report on Armstrong; Hill
TO Get 5000 volumes OF Testimony
Printed Elsewhere Charges and
Counter Charges Regarding the Delay.

NOunleT NHHTBeS NeEdTuInR tIle Deidy.
albany, Jan. 3O.-After most scnsa-
tional hearing the Senate Finance Com
mittee to-day decided to report favorably
Senator Armstrong; bill authorizing the
insurance invest igatng committee to enter
into a contract with printing house for
5000 volumes OF the printed testimony
taken by the committee. Senator George
r. Malby did not vote on the question Of
reporting
senator Armstrong reiterated his charge
that the State Printer was holding up the
testimony, but the State Printer replied
that Senator Armstrong was responsible
for the delay.
The hearing brought to light something
that had been suspected. There is de-
sire on the part Of some Senators to have
the printed testimony delayed. The
longer it is delayed, so much the better.
But the insstence of Senator Armstrong
to have the printed testimony accompany
the report of the committee has changed
matters by bringing about a realization
that if there is further delay there may
be a purpose in it.
Senator Malby said that the delay would
make it longer before any action could be
taken on the committees report by the
Legislature. A. s. Brandow of Albany,
the State printer, was represented by his
attorney. John F.. Montignani j. Edward
Drake of the State Printing House was
on hand and he caused sensation by at
tackng Senator Armstrong and chalIeng-
ing the rlthfulness of Senator Armstrong;
sta tementS.
4 la.
made in the Senate the other day, in which
he declared that the State printer was hold
ing mp the committee in regard to deliver
ing the testimony until aft er they had
made $50, 900 or more out Of it. Senator
Armstrong also said
After our long and bitter experience
with the State printer would not take his
word over night. am not a printer. but
do know that these books can be printed
at less than what they say they will cost.
Saving they cost SIS a volume, when the
actual cost is less than s., is what | call
piracy. ! don't care who prints these
extra volumes All that | want is the
printed testimony
Mr.. Drake jumped excitedly to his feet
and, waving in the face Of Senator Arm
strong "A handful of letters, charged him
with bad faith in the matter of eXpedlting
the printing of the testimony. He referred
to letter from Senator Armstrong written
last December in which mention was made
about getting the opinion of the State Comp
troer in regard to the authority Of the
committee in ordering the work
There was no trouble about anything
until you entered on the scene exclaimed
senator Armstrong,
NO, but | knew YOU. and knew exactly
what to do with YOU" replied Mr.. Drake.
Il knew your record. You have held up
the testimony. You are the man who Is
responsi ihle for this situation. ! know
what you are and what you say. know
your character. You held up the copy
and You held up the proofs that we
could not print the testimony, You say
that there Is a great demand for this work.
Let me tell you that out of over 800 Circu-
lar letters sent ont We received less than
fifty replies asking the price. and when
they learned the price the majority never
replied to it, You come here and make
statements which are directly contrary 10
the facts"
Senator Armstrong interrupted to say
that the stenographer had furnished the
printer with the copy.
"lcs. and then We sent you the proofs.
and you held them up and refused to turn
them over TO us. And you now shout
about delay
In the course of Mr. Montignarn's remarks
| opposing the awarding of contract for
the printing of the testimony to any but
! the State printer, Senator Armstrong broke
! in 10 say: Il will substantiate everything
that l have already said on the matter"
"Oh, yes" mildly replied Mr.. Montig-
mani. there has been enough dust thrown
in the eyes Of the people to blind them to
| the real situation"
! Mr.. Brandow said that six volumes of
| the testimony were ready for delivery, and
the seventh volume, which would complete
the cstimony, would be done tomorrow
/ After that there remained two volumes
! of exhibits and the index. He charged
| that the committee was responsible for
| the delay in getting out the index in not
| furnishing the copy on time. Mr. Brandow
said they were prepared to have the testi-
monv in the hands of the committee within
a short time.
The result of the hearing assures more
! haste in getting the testimony, but there
! remains a suspicion that all is not known