Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-02-17

the bridge bills of 1901, favorable to the
bridge interests.
1T was the man whose name appears
upon one of those envelopes" Instant
~ there was an uprOar. Carr objected
and moved that the answer be strick-
ct, out.
fConger's counsel held a hasty con-
sultation and Judge Augustus Van
Wick suddenly protested that the an
swer should be allowed to stand.
81 have no objection to his telling
the names on those envelopes" he said.
senator Davis. who presides, how
ever ordered the answer stricken out.
Then Carr repeated his question:
"Who was it?"
II shall refuse to answer" replied
Conger after some hesitation.
1.-The witness must reply directed
Chairman Davis.
CoEger seemed to hesitate again At
last his attorney. Mr.. VanHoesen
broke the silence:
answer the question. Mr.. Conger.
under the instructions from the
Chair"
"Thc name" said Conger. slowly and
distinctly. was Jean Burnett
The second thrill of the afternoon
occurred shortly afterward when Con-
ger was asked if he had discussed the
iDridse bill with any other assembly
men The witness said a number spoke
to him on the subject. but when Attor'
ney Carr asked. who" Conger men
toned only one name--LouiS Bedell.
Rcdell at that time was a member of
I
ty. He is net now in the Legislature.
Conger said Bedell's suggestion was
like Rurnett's and had to do with an
amendmen: to the bridge bill favor
able to the bridge companies. Conger
rounded up his testimony on this sub
y,ect by saying that the bill was finally
given this amendment and so passed.
1t was another bridge bill. hostile to
the bridge interests. which he accuses
Aids of using as "a club to hold up
the American Bridge Co.
The morning session was devoted by
Mr.. Carr to bringing ont Conger's busi-
ness interests. The purpose of this be-
came evident In the afternoon when he
put in evidence indictments found against
the Groton Bridge Co, the Canton & Os-
wego Bridge Co. and others in which Con-
ger was Interested on the charge of con-
spring to detraud the city of Boston by
means of collusive bidding. Some of these
companies pleaded guilty and We're fined
for this offence in 1909. In his attack
upon the witness character and relia
bllity Carr showed bill which was pass
ed by the Assembly in 1901 and advocated
by Conger Its purpose was to enable
town boards to purchase power engines
FOR operating stone crushers. Carr then
produced letter written by Conger on
Feb. l.. 1901. to the Acme Road Machine
Co. Of Frankfort. n. Y. This letter fol-
lows:
Enclosed find IA copy of bill which
on examination you will find to be fine
thing for the stone crusher and engine
business, provided it becomes a law.
There Is some considerable opposition to
this bill in the committee to which it is
referred and If it Is reported favorably
from the committee there will have to be
some practical assistance from such con-
Germs as yours and the Marathon people
and the Champion people. And now is
your time to get in your work, send you
this to put YOU onto the great assistance
TINS will be to your work IL it passes. l.
You want any further information OF de-
tails please address me. or Mr. D. L.
smith, Assembly chamber. Albany. 'Ae-
knowledge promptly.
From Benn Conger."
Il wrote that letter." explained Iohse'
'at the instance of the Marathon hoao
Machine Co They were not ffiehoiS to