New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-11
GRAFT MINE.
Cunningham Ledger Described
rs Rich in information.
READY TO DEFY HOTCHNSS
Broker Slated for Examination
Again at Resumption Of Fire
Inquiry To day.

Tic Ellingwood & Cunningham ledger
IN the possession Of Superintendent
Hotchkiss Of the Insurance Department.
cn which he purposes to question James
". Cunningham at the resumption Of the
fire insurance inquiry to-day. contains
very little information bearing directly
or insurance matters. it WAS learned yes
terday.
Cunningham has said since last
Wednesdays session that he will refuse
positively to answer any question put 10
him on the stand to-day. on the ground
that the matter contained in the books
does not come under the jurisdiction of
Mr. Hotchkiss.
Edwin A. Watson. of the law firm of
TTuax & Watson. No. 141 Broadway. who
Was one Of the counsel of ex-senator
Benn COnger, is authority for the state
ment that the Ellingwood & Cunning
ham books, however. contain a mine of
information on the speculative accounts
Of Legislators of that period. in and
around 1901, but ii is said to be for the
most part in relation to trolley and rail-
road matters in which G. Tracy Rogers
the special partner Of the firm and presi-
dent Of the Street Railway Association
Of the state. was more directly inter-
ested
Mr.. Watson believes that i'm a general
investigation of legislative graft the
books of Ellingwood & Cunningham.
which firm " as spoken of as Legislative
clearing house. would furnish facts
more startling than any Yet disclosed in
either the present fire insurance probe
OF the ATds-Conger case.
Ought To Be Explained.
Transactions i'm trolley and railroad
stocks By numerous legislators Of that
period" said Alr Watson Yesterday "ar.
on those books and are of such nature
as ought to be explained but probably
those facts could never be brought to
light except through an investigation by
a general investigation committee OF the
legislature. empowered, as such joint
committees usually are. with full au-
thority to 30 into cvcrv detail and rami-
fication Of the subject
Senator Eugene NJ Travis. Of the 6tn
District of Kings. said yesterday that he
intended 10 start an agitation at Albany
looking toward more general investiga-
tion than has SO far been contemplated
when 4 return to Albany on Mon
day" said Senator Travis yesterday. Il
intend 10 go over the situation with Sen
ar Cobb and other Senators. with a
--f-r
tion authorizing a blanket investigation
of alleged legislative graft in the last
ten years.
MY idea is that such a resolution. pro-
yiding for a ioint committee Of ten.
should specify the appointment Of four
of its members by the Assembly. three
by t. Senate and three by Governor
Hughes
The Governors friends desire that
this consideration be shown to him, and
the opposition seems to insist upon this
point, because they would hold the Gov
ernor. in a measure. responsible 70" the
work of the committee l know the
Governor would like nothing better.
Deepest Probe Demanded.
We who are comparatively new up
there feel that the demand for such an
investigation cannot be refused. and that
only the deepest probe will suffice"
In the event Of such general investi-
cation being authorized the books of the
EIing,vood & Cunningham firm. it is
said. would furnish the plaincst Of clews
On traction matters in, general, and one
investigator who worked on the Aids
Conger case said yesterday that search
Of legislative files for 1900. 1901 and
1902 would show not less than one hun
dred strike" bills at each session.
The fire insurance Investigation has
shown the annual recurrence OF the two
most generally used strikes" on thos-
interests, the anti-compact and the val
ued policy bills. and wider inyestiga-
tion would show similar strikes intro
duced in reEar1 to almost every cor
poration dealing ian any public utility.
Cunningham. position. il Was said by
one. of his close friends yesterday, is
that though he will refuse TO testify in
the present inquiry on matters not con
n.cted with insurance affairs, yet he
would he willing. in the event Of a gen
cal inquiry. to identify and explain to
The best of his recollection the entries
or. legislators accounts in his firms
hanks pertaining L. deals in shares of
other corporations.