New-York tribune., 1910-09-21
lR[[LAND ON STAND AGAIN.
Graft Hunting Committee to Hear
More from "Met." President.
CITY CLUB ISN'T SATISFIED
Offers Suggestions on Matters
II Believes More Profitable
for Committees Study.

II. H Nreeland, president OF the Metro
politan system and member OF the eXecu-
tive committee of the Street Railways As
sociation, and G. Tracy Rogers, president
OF the Street Railways Association during
the period Of the big campaign" contribu-
lions and heavy stock transactions by leg
islat0rs, Will be the star witnesses before
the legislative graft hunting committee this
week When the committee resumes its
work to-day Nreeland viii be recalled TO
the witness stand. Judge Bruce, counsel
10 the graft hunters wants TO see if he
cannot shake Nreeland's defiance little
Rogers has rot given any detailed &C
count Vet of his experience with the cam
paign funds and his flyer in the market as
silent partner in the Legislative clearing
house" of EllingwoOd & Cunningham. He
rlrohablv will have an opportunity N day
or two Besides these. ex-senator Jotham
p. Aids and Representative George AIalby.
both OF whom had accounts in the '1egis
lative clearing house VIII be witnesses.
II possible the graft hunters hope TO reach
The end OF the EllinSwood & Cunningham
accounts this week, SO that after the con-
vention week the committee may take up
new trails. Insurance affairs, the Bache
books. the racetracks campaign against
and many other things are on the schedule.
Robert s Binkerd, secretary of the City
Club. yesterday put few more PROPOSE
1ions before the committee Mr. Binkerd
didn't seem 10 think that the letter 10 him
% Assemblyman Merritt indicated undue
keenness on the part of the committee 10
probe any further Than il had TO 10 escape
public criticism. Mr.. Binkerd probably viii
rer1rca "a
tiers before him.
Among other things which he thought
would Yield profitable material for the COM
r1littee's study was the bill aimed TO abol-
ish corporation inspectors in this city. That
bill died rlysteriously year after year. Mr.
Rinkerd said. though II was more or less
notorious tnat the corporation inspectors
for the most part were political heelers'
saddied on the payrOlls OF the corpora
1ions Also he thought the anti-gambling
situation ana the defeat OF the S0-cent gas
bill should be looked into.
The legislative committee has power to
DO this work; the City Club hasnt." said
he The minute the Governors anti-gam-
bling bills were introduced there appeared
in Albany an ex-menlber Of the Legislature.
The reason for his presence was common
gossip
Senator Otto Foelker. now Congress
man. made q statement at the time that
large sum Of money was offered 10 him If
he would remain in his sick bed and not go
70 Albany 10 cast the deciding vote for the
bill. We can't investigate the truth of that.
l7lt Nr Nerritt's committee can, If il cares
10 do so.
Consider the defeat Of the S0-cent gas
bill in 1865. II was killed by q tie vote,
with Two Senators absent One had made a
sudden trip 10 Europe. 1 do not have TO
recall TO YOU what the talk over the tables
in The Ten Eyck was when that bill was
killed in the startling and peculiar fashion
in which il net its end. The legislative
committee can investigate that, if II cares
to
Nr Binkerd thought that Mr.. Merritt
avoided his point that upstate men paid
TOO much attention TO purely New York
CITY affairs He instsnced a salary grab
hiu for employees Of the Health Department
here introduced in 1896 by Assemblyman
Brooks. Of Erie County. He said he hoped
toe committee would pay especial atien-
ZION 10 this feature Of legislative proceed
ure. which was illustrated 10y the introduc-
zion by Senator Goodsell. Assemhlyrnan
Redell and other upstate men Of railway
legislation affecting New York City only