The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-02-18

Conger was asked to repeat the con-
versation and for the third time since
the investigation began the senate
heard Allds's alleged warning that
you better get the American Bridge
people up here"
Senator Conger testified today that
he did not consider the transaction
between him and his brother and
Aids bribery.
1T was blackmail," he said.
Conger was made to rehearse what
he says transpired between his
brother Frank, vice-president of the
American Bridge Company, and Aids
when the latter called at Senator
Conger's apartments here to discuss
terms. The witness said he did not
make any objection to the payment of
money for the purpose referred to.
The conversation was on the sub
ject of bribery, wasn't it?'' asked
Carr.
Il considered it more blackmail
than bribery" declared Conger, with
the first show of resentment he had
| made during the morning.
Mr.. Carr objected to this answer
and the chairman refused to let it
stand on the record.
You understood. Mr.. Aids, as a
member of the legislature had promis-
ed to receive a certain sum for his
action on legislation and you didn't
consider it bribery"
CONSIDERED 1T BLAcKMAlL.
Il considered it blackmail," insisted
the witness.
When Carr demanded a categorical
answer. Conger finally replied, mo,
SIR
81 told my brother" said Conger
further along in the examination,
that I did not want anything to do
with the handling of the money, be-
cause / was legislator and it was to
be paid to legislator"
Conger's attorneys objected to the
| chairman's refusal to allow Conger
to say that he considered the pay
| ment blackmail to stand. Judge Van
Wyck commended that to make a de.
| mand for money was blackmail, but
to meet a demand by giving money
| was not bribery.
Wasn't the money brought here
for that purpose?" pursued Carr.
"Yes," admitted Conger.
| Conger confirmed Hiram G.. Noes
| statement that the senator had in
structed Moe how to divide the $4,000
sent by his brother Frank for the
| bridge company and told him the
| names to write on the envelopes.
Carr made the witness describe in
detail his alleged trip with Moe to
the capitol on April %, 1901, to dis.
| tribute the money.
you knew for what purpose the
| money was given, didn't you?" he ask
ed.
Il did," said Conger
Conger was still repeating what oc
| Cured at the capitol when the sen
ate took a recess. 1t seemed likely
| that he would stay on the stand for
| the rest Of the day.
s. Fred Nixons was the third name
| brought out in the investigation OF
| Senator Conger's charges that Sena
| tor Aids received a bride from the
| bridge combination. Nixon, who was
| former speaker of the house, accord
| ing to Conger, who was still testify
| ing today, received the same amount
as Allds-one thousand dollars. Nix
on's lieutenant, ASsemblyman Bur
nett, received four thousand dollars
| Nixon and Burnett are both dead.
Conger testified that the bridge
! combination had been 'fblackmailed'
! for years by the legislators. They de
cided to pay no longer, and the same
year the legislature passed the act
which forced sixty per cent of the
! bridge companies out of business il
| New York state. Alldss attorneys
| allowed Conger to tell his story. Theil
| intention was presumed to be &c
brand him as brfber, as he was inter
ested in the bridge companies.