New-York tribune., 1910-04-21
Ways and Means Committee
Strengthens the Senate's
Resolution.
LEADERS IN HOUSE YIELD
Investigation of All Insurance,
Except Life Companies, Pro-
vided for-No Fake
Charges.
IBv relerraph 70 The Tribune. ]

ly tonight 20 report for adoption to-
morrow a substitute for the Senste's res
olution authorizing an investigation of
corruption in connection with the Legis-
lature or state departments. This will be
adopted by the lower house and in all
probability concurred in by the Seraate-
II anything. the Assembly substitute
resolution is a little stronger than the
original Senate resolution. II is changed
in two particulars. The special commits
sion created under it is directed 10 in
vestigate the business methods of all in
surance companies other than life insur-
ance concerns and of state and local
boards OF fire underwriters. This specific
clause probably was put in 10 save the
face" of the Assembly on the McInerney
resolution The second change lay in
the insertion Of this clause:
NO charge OF Official misconduct
against any candidate for nomination or
election TO an elective state Office shall
be received after September 1, 1910"
That clause was inserted 20 shut of
the filing with the committee Of fake
charges designed TO affect candidates in
the coming state campaign.
The verbisge Of the Senate's resolu-
ton has been changed somewhat. TO con-
dense and clsrify.it. So far as close in
spection by Senators who desire the
brosdest kind Of an investigation can
show, the Assembly has not only not
weakened the Senste's original resolu-
ton. but even has bettered it. Speaker
wadsworth and Mr.. Merritt. once they
saw this investigation was inevitable,
determined 10 do a good job.
The Assembly Resolution.
The text Of the Assembly resolution
follows:
Resolved (if the Assembly eoneur),
That a joint committee OF three Sena-
tors, 20 be appointed by the President Of
the Senate, and five members of Assem-
bly,, 20 be appointed by the Speaker of
the Assembly, is hereby constituted and
sppcinteo legislative committee to in
Vestisate as speedily as possible all cor
ruption and corrupt practices shown to
exist by the evidence in the recent in
vestiestion had before the Senate of the
State Of New York; all matters indicst-
ing corrupt practices in connection with
legislation which have developed in the
recent investigation conducted by the
Superintendent of Insurance; the busi-
ness methods, operation. management,
supervision and control of all insurance
companies other than those doing life
insurance business, including state and
local boards Of fire underwriters, and the
relation OF such companies and boards
with legislation; any specific charge,
verified upon knowledge, of corrupt
practices or official misconduct in con-
neetion with legislation or the lesis-
lsture, or with any matter ct proceeding
before any state department, bosrd, body
or officer, and any other matters per-
tanning to the conduct OF the business of
the state which in the judgment OF the
committee warrants an investigation, 70
the end that such remedial legislation
may be enacted or change of method in
the conduct OF public business be adopt
ed as will prevent recurrence OF any
abuses or evils disclosed.
No charge Of official misconduct
against any candidate for nomination or
election to an elective state office shall
be received after the first day OF Septem-
Der, 1910.
Said committee shall make a report of
it's Proeeedings, together with its recon
n1endstions, 20 the Legislature on or be-
fore March I, 1911.
The committee shall elect its chair
man and vice chairman. IL shall have
power TO compel the attendance Of wit
nesses and the production Of books and
papers 20 employ counsel, stenoqra pliers
and all necessary clerical assistance: to
sit anywhere in the State of New York,
and shall have all other powers usual or
necessary in cases OF legislative commit
tees, including the adoption Of rules fer
the conduct Of its proceedings. Amy per-
son charged with official misconduct
shall be entitled 20 be represented BY
and cross-eEarinc witnesses. The actual
and necessary expense Of the committee
IN carrying out the provisions Of this
resolution, not TO exceed the sum OF
S5o.ooo, shall be paid from, the funds ep-
propriated by the Legislature for the
contingent expenses upon the certificate
OF the chairman and vice chairman of
said committee.
After the meeting at which this reso-
lution was adopted Mr.. Merritt said:
We consider this substitute for the
Senate resolution more substantial. more
concise. broader, more specific and
stronger than the original. There was
no division in the committee on il, and
no opposition. SO far as know"
There will be no opposition from tho
Democrats TO the adoption OF this reso-
luton.
Advocates Of the deep probe say that
everything now depends on the per
sonnel OF the committee OF eight which
will take up this investigation and on its
counsel The general expectation is
that Lieutenant Governor White and
Speaker wadsworth will appoint men Of
the younger and more progressive ele-
ment for this work.
The public won't want any harum-
scarunl. radical committee. but ii won't
stand for any apologists for the Old
Guard" was the way one Senator
phrssed IL to-day. 81 don't think this
committee will be any repetition Of the
celebrated direct primary investigating
committee. The child breads the fire,
and the criticism which came from that
unfortunate affair, while perhaps unjust
in some instances, was none the less
damaging. Ny own notion IS that this
committee, and the counsel chosen by It
viii be- beyond any legitimate criticism -
stinson Mentioned as Counsel.
Among other names which figure in
the gossip about the counsel IS that OF
Henry L. Stimson. who has done much
work for the federal government re-
Gently.