The sun., 1910-02-17
TO PROBE LAND PURCHASES
GOV. HUGHES APPOINTS A COM
MISSION To do THE WORK.

ALBANY, Feb. le.--Gov Hughes is 70
investigate the States purchases Of
Adirondack forest lands since the policy
OF making such purchases was adopted
q dozen years ago, back to the time when
Timothy L. Woodruff was Lieutenant
Governor
In preparing for the trial Of Senator
Aids on the Conger bribery charges
counsel for Senator Conger investigated
different things in which Senator Aids
was interested. including forest land
purchases by the State Senator Aids
had been employed by the State in pass
ing upon the titles to this land. During
the Aids trial counsel for Senator Conger
have intimated that they were sorry
they could not introduce in evidence
facts discovered in connection with these
land purchases. intimating further that
prominent Republican politicians would
DO involved.
These suggestions OF scandals finally
reached Gov. Hughes's ears and the
Governor tonight appointed Roger p.
Clark and H. Leroy Austin to act as his
commissioners TO investigate the manage
ment and affairs Of the State Forest.
Fsh and Game Commission and the
purchases Of land made by the State
within the forest preserve.
Mr.. Clark 10 the Governors legal ad-
viser. He was formerly District At
torney Of Rroome county and lately has
been Deputy Attorney General II. Leroy
Austin. whom the Governor recently ap-
pointed as District Attorney OF Greene
county, has had much experience in
investigating county and municipal ac-
counts on behalf Of the State Comptroller.
The Governor has determined to have
a thorough investigation. The commits
eioners will act directly under his au-
thority, pursuant to the Moreland act.
which gives them the full powers neces-
sary for the investigation.
Gov Hughes saw Commissioner Whip
pie of the Forest. Fish and Game Com
mission in the Executive Chamber late
to day and following Mr.. Whipple's de-
parture the Governor made his formal
announcement. The Governor WIN place
no limitation on the work Of his probers
and expects them to cover everything
in connection with the purchase OF State
lands and the administration Of the State
Department since the policy Of taking
over such lands was adopted He wants
to learn from this investigation all the
facts that it is necessary to know IN order
to give the public definite information.
No formal charges against the admins
tration OF the department have been fled
with Gov. Hughes but the Governor takes
the stand that IL 10 not necessary that such
charges should be made to him at this
time when the public is seeking % know
all about offioial corruption IN high places.
Tha nRw haN
Clark and Austin VIII not be content
with the examination Of all the public
records. but that they will under the au-
thority they have under the law. subpoena
witnesses and examine them 70 ASCERTAIN
facts at first hand where it is possible
This investigation ia very proper and
very agreeable to me, said Commissioned
James s. Whipple when the action Of Gov.
Hughes was called to his attention to-
night.
Commissioner Whipple was asked how
much money had been spent by the State
in furtherance Of the policy OF purchasing
forest lands and he said he would roughly
estimate the amount at SS. .6OO. 900. He
said that his report recently presented to
the Legislature would show that the
States holdings OF forest lands aRgre-
gated on January l last I,e4I, ,523 acres.
which included I $50, $50 acres in the Adj
rondncks and ITO. e64 in the Catskills
He said the State had entered upon the
policy OF purchasing forest lands in 1897,
which was the first year Of the adminis-
tration OF Gov. Frank s. Black
Commissioner Whipple had nothing to
do with the land purchases, however,
until he was appointed to his present
position by Gov. Higgins on May 20, 1905
He said he believed that during his term
the State had taken over about 200, COO
acres at an average price OF about IS Der
acre, the highest figure paid for land in
the Adirondacks being at the rate OF
81 .25 per acre. Commissioner WhippIe has
never served as chairman OF the pur-
chasing board. but during his time in ONCE
such chairman has been chosen from the
two members who are appointed to serve
on the board under the statute bv the
Governor. The statute provides that
these two members shall be appointed
from among the elected State officers,
and Mr.. Whipple has served with former
State Treasurer Wallenmeier OF Tona-
wanda, former Secretary Of State John r
O'Brien OF Clinton county. former State
Comptroller Martin II Glynn Of Albany
and his present associates, Speaker Wads-
worth and Lieut. Gov. White. Secretary
O'Brien was the first chairman of the
board with Commissioner Whipple and
was followed in order by Mr. Glynn and
Speaker Wadsworth
Timothy l.. Woodruff. former Lieu
tenant-Governor and present chairman n
OF UNt ncputDuCdu State cOmmltFM0. who
was the head of the first forest purchs sing
board. from its creation in 1897 until Il
was abolished in 1902. was in Albany to-
night and also expressed pleasure that
the Governor had determined upon an
investigation Of forest land purchases.
In view Of the fact that there have
been some indefinite suggestions about
the matter, which have been taken as
criticisms, ! am very glad Gov Hughes
has taken the course he has said Mr..
Woodruff.
Mr.. Woodruff said that on the original
hoard serving with him were Charles H.
Babc0ck Of Rochester. then a member of
the Forest. Fish and Game Commission,
and State Engineer Campbell W. Adams
of Utica. Afterward. during the Roosevelt
Administration, Edward A. Rond OF Water
town. the present chairman of the ad-
visory board OF barge canal engineers.