New-York tribune., 1907-01-17
PROBE BRIBERY CHARGE
TITO IN IT" SAYS JEROME.
Grand Jury Hears ". O. l.. Alder
meH-CEford Case Goes Orer.

afternoon before the grand jury in the opening
Of its inquiry into the charges that Alderman
william S. Clifford accepted a brlbe of Sc 900 for
himself and ten other Municipal Ownership al
derrnen for their votes for ex-Judge Cowing for
Recorder. Subpenas had been issued for Con-
gresham Herbert Parsons, president Of the New
York Republican County Committee; ]. H. De
Bragga- a member of the Republican executive
committee of Queens County. and Collin H.
Woodward. who is connected with the Office of
the Superintendent of Elections. Congressman
Parsons could not be served he is in Wash
ington. 1t is understood that the testimony of
the members of the political committees is
wanted IN connection with the report that some
Of the Municipal Ownership aldermen had sug
gested that they might be induced to vote for
Alderman James c. Meyers. the Republican
didate for Recorder.
After the adjournment of the grand jury, Dis
trfct Attorney Jerome, who had come from AL
bany TO take charge of the investigation said
he entirely satisfied with what he had
learned. There a rumor about the Criminal
Courts Building that one of the aldermen had
made important confession. The District
Attorney refused TO say whether any such
fession had been made.
Alderman Meyers had talk with the District
Attorney, but was not called before the grand
jury. He said that II any Of his friends had
been approached by Clifford in his interests they
had not spoken TO him about IT.
Alderman -Heury-Ciay Peters and William
rorpey were served with fresh subpnnas for to-
Gay, when the Investigation win be continued.
The detectives who followed Alderman Clifford
and Daniel Mann who took the money. will also
be examined, and testimony will be given by
those who overheard telephonic conversations
between the reporter. who was known Has
kell," and Clifford.
Assistant District Attorney Murphy has Sc
full account Of his part in the transactions.
which enlarges considerably the statement
he made after his arrest on Tuesday.
PETERS ISSUES STATEMENT
Alderman Henry Clay Peters. the acknowl-
edged leader OF the Municipal Ownership alder
men. gave out a statement IN which he explained
the sudden turning of himself and colleagues TO
e1-Ju2se Cowing as attempt TO break the
Republican ranks. He said he was sure that
Of them had been approached with any
money consideration for their votes. and de-
clared enphatcaIly that they could not be
bought
Alderman Clifford. who had spent an unhappy
night IN the West Side court prison because he
oould not get bail. was arraIgned before Magis-
trate Whitman AS Abraham Levy, Of Levy &
Cnger, his counsel, was engaged in another case
the hearing was put until January 23 at 10
e. m. II will be held before Magistrate Whitman
wko will sit specially in the Tombs court Chnord
then released bail Of $1,000. which
vas furnished by John ]. White. real estate
operator, OF No. 232 Fifth street. who gave as
security property at No. 155 Elizabeth street.
valued at $4,000, and Samuel Kahn. proprietor
OF the Occidental Hotel, at the Bowery and
Broome street who gave as security property
at No. 20 TO "A East Gath street
The grand Jury investigation began at
O'clock and adjournment was not taken until
b45 o'clock Then District Attorney Jerome
said:
IT am satisfied with the inquiry as far as
II has proceeded. The grand jury has exam
ined all the aldermen excepting Clnord' but
Il will be necessary to recall Aldermen Peters
and Torpey tomorrow. / had talk with Al
derman Meyers the Republican candidate for
Reecorder and. after hearing his story, did not
consider II necessary 10 call him before the
grand jury.
'T am convinced that at least two OF the al
dermen. and perhaps more Of them. knew all
about the DEAL and that they were holding OUT
the others who were plain damn foois' VINO
knew nothing at all of what was going on III
the doodle line"
MEYERS NOT APPROACHED.
a,es-,,.r ,,evars Sa,d before he sew the Dis
tr1et Attorney:
'aTfere seem to have been persistent runors
laoat that my friends had been approached by
Clifford. II that is SO. none os my frlenos has
spoken TO me about the matter
while I was majority leader Of the Board
Of Aldermen / did my best to elevate the tone
OF the board. But now II seems that am the
leader OF a bursted majority"
The Municipal Ownership aldermen were in an
exceedingly unpleasant frame OF mind when
they reached the CrImina! Courts Building yes
terdey morning In response to the subpoenas'
They RACED and suIned around on account OF the
eslay .n getting the investigation started. de-
carinz that they were officers of the city and
that their time was too valuable TO permit them
10 cool their heels at the door Of the District
Attorney. When Henry Clay Peters was asked
70 20 into the oa1ce of the District Attorney he
raid he'd be BANKED 81 he'd go IN TO be exam
ined without counsel. He added. with much
heat:
~our time is valuable We're city fathers.
We want 20 go before tie grand jury just -
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