New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-06-12
PROBE DRAWING BLOOD.
Jersey State Contractor Says Books
: Are Burned BackcS Suspicious.
- Telegraph % 90 Trlbune.l

Trenton June 1.-THE House probe drew
blood to-day. For the first time since the in
vestigation began there were open signs OF re-
volt. Lewis LawtOn. who seems to have had
nearly all the contracts in connection with the
State House and state institutions for the last
five years was recalled by the committee this
morning. and frankly confessed that he had de-
stroyed all his books and most Of his papers
since the first Of the year. and could not give
the details the commission wanted
He could not tell how he happened to give
$4,000 extra to Tobin. He produced what he
said were copies Of some Of his books this af-
ternoon, after he had been called to order for
delay IN appearing. Mr.. Backes evidently did
not believe the books had been destroyed months
ago. He thought the witness had been bluiflng
or had got rid Of damaging evidence very quick
" Lawton admitted he had received $3Ol,225,
directly or indirectly. from the state since lSOl
but said all the books containing the transac-
lions in detail had been burned by himself at
his house. He said he burned them because he
had no further use for them. He had some very
sharp swords with Mr.. Backes When hard
pressed he acknowledged that he settled his bal
ance with Tobin on January l for about $210oe-
He did not remember whether the settlement
was a verbal one or in writing. In case Of
suit. perhaps the books which he had destroyed
would have been valuable, but he had not
thought so before.
George J. Tobin, of Plainfeld. came on the
stand next He was very defiant. He said
right at the start that he had not produced the
books as he was ordered TO do, and did not IN
tend TO produce them. He had been advised not
TO show the books and refused TO give the name
of his advisers He said he might be willing to
produce his books for the members Of the com
Tnittee 10 examine alone, but he was not going
to have the public let into his private business.
The committee united in saying he must pro-
duce the books or accept the consequences, but
II seemed TO make no difference, Finally the
committee prepared subpoena and served il on
him on the witness stand ordering him TO APP
pear tomorrow morning with the books. He
accepted the paper. but would not say what he
would do. II is understood that Speaker Leth-
bridge will be here in the morning and will
serve a warrant ordering Tobin's arrest for con-
tempt If be does not comply with the order.
Arnold H Moses, general contractor for the
state, another important witness. He ad-
mittted that when IL was discovered that the
corridor had been left off the plans for the new
Senate wing, he allowed Lawton to expend
$4,000 in cutting through new corridor, with
out any BIDS or propositions. In one case where
the old bids had been agreed upon for certain
work for $500 Lawton was paid 5000 for
the same work without any discussion. The
press gallery, which was never completed, be-
cause ii was not any good and was a useless
part of what called the cockpit referring
10 the new Senate chamber. was settled with
Lawton for 81 $50. Moses admitted il was
rather odd that Lawton should have bid SPA
500 for the new Senate chamber, when the ap-
preparation just S125000. Moses said he
got per cent commission on every bit CT work
that LaWton did for the state, whether II was
regularly ordered not. He received nearly
$4,000 from the state in that way. He drew
fOrty-two different drafts from the state during
the work. He appeared surprised at these fig
ures but did not dispute them. He also ad-
mitted that all the carpets and furniture for
u : na T1nrys oF he
chased from two dealers Manning and Van
Diver without any competition.