New-York tribune., 1906-07-14
LAW AFTER ALDER MEN
CHARGED WITH BRIBERY.
Machinery Of tie Lac in Motion
against Nczc Rochelle Officials.

indictments for bribery found. Il vas re-
ported yesterday by the grand Jury against An
thony j. Rivers. Herman Kal.enberg. ir.. Al
fred Rado and Charles HilIdIing. the New Ro-
chelle aldermen who, according to evidence pro-
duced By ID. a. Reynolds, president of the state
Line Telephone Company. demanded $4,000
for their votes which would have practically
secured a franchise for Reynolds's company in
New Rochelle. Bench warrants were issued at
once for the arrest of the men. and it was ex-
pecied that they would be arraigned this
morning The that the indictments
were found against the aldermen was known
about the corridors Of the Criminal Courts Build
ing early yesterday afternoon. but official
statement was made at that time.
The news that the indictments had been found
against the aldermen caused much excitement
in New Rochelle. Politicians of both parties
there were stunned. They had not expected
such quick action. 1t believed the COM
plant might drag and. aided by legal techni-
calities thought to be in the way, eventually be
quashed
Many thought the District Attorney of this
county had no jurisdiction in the case, but the
citizens committee Of New Rochelle. which is
said to be prosecuting the aldermen laid facts
before Mr.. Jerome that seemed to him sufficient
evidence TO prove that the deed had been COM
mitted in New York County
The affair dates back to last March. when,
cording 10 Mr.. Reynolds. he was trying to get
franchise for his company to operate in that
town. At that time the political factions of the
town were having hot fight among themselves
reform party took hold of things and insti-
tuted an investigation through it's committee of
one hundred.
The telephone company alleges that proposals
were made to it. The persons who made the
proposals, il is said. were invited to the COM
Panys Office at No. 81 Broadway To show
what transpired there, Mr.. Reynolds introduced
series of transcripts of shorthand notes taken
by Miss Freda Rosenberg, who was hidden be-
hind screen
Briefly these transcripts. laid before the citi-
zens committee of New Rochelle. purported to
be verbatim report of what the indicted al
dermen demanded for their votes They asked
according to Mr.. Reynolds. sums varying from
$4,000 to $4,000. the whole totalling $4,000 The
citizens committee az once turned over the
facts in its possession to the District Attor-
ney Of Westchester County. He washed ris
hands of it, however the ground that the
alleged deed had been committed in New York
County.
District Attorney Jerome took the matter up
and presented the whole evidence TO the grand
jury. Several witnesses were summoned before
the jury. including D. a. Reynolds. Mr. Reyn-
olds said last night that he had told the jury
just what had happened and how it had hap
pened. He said last night he was no longer in
terested in the matter.
Personally. have nothing to do with the
Case" he said. nor has the telephone company
We have no Intention OF prosecuting 1t 10 the
end, for the reason that we are not at all in
terested. The, case belongs to the citizens
nlittee of New Rochelle
The aldermen indicted deny the charge. There
was report in New Rochelle last night that
one of them had made confession, duplicating
himself and his associates. This could not be
verified Samuel Swnburne. attorney for the four
aldermen. said they would be bailed and the
cases carried to the highest courts. Alderman
Hilldrng was away for some weeks and it
rumose ed that he had quit the town. Mr.. Swim
burne said Hilldring was vacation and had
no intention of evading trial
AL. of the indicted men are Republicans and
are engaged in business in New Rochelle Al
derman Kallenberg is a furniture dealer and
upholsterer; MIR Hilldrng is painter ard deco
rator, and has done a lot of work for the Iselin
family: Mr.. Rivers is contractor and builder
and Mr.. Rado is music teacher They were
swept into Office a landslide two years ago
| At the same time Henry S. Clarke was reelected
Mayor
The indictments were expected in New Ro-
cheIle ever since Assistant District Attorney
! Mott who is handling the case sent to New
| Rochelle a few days ago for the certificates of
election and official oaths of the aldermen.
The crime with which they are charged is
serious one. If convicted they will not only
lose their Offices but forfeit their citizenship,
/ and a new city election will have to be held in
New Rochelle The maximum penalty is five
| years i'm state prison.
~ w IN " n