New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-06
SENATE SHY 0F PROBE
Insurance Resolution May Die
in Committee.
GENERAL INVESTIGATION
Finance Committee Has Plan to
Look Into Legislative
Corruption.


Albany. April Until the leaders IN the
Senate have determined what to do about
general Investigation OF legislative cor
ruption ii Is improbable that any action
will be taken OF the McISeruey resolution
for a Ore insurance investigation passed
BY the Assembly last night This viii rest
H. the Senate Finance Committee mean
time There is an even chance that 70
may not come out of that body in any
case
Some Senator'S are a little suspicious Of
the sudden investigation frenzy Of Speaker
Wadsworth's leaders. which took lie form
OF adopting this resolution. They want
20 be certain that there IS anything super
intendent Hotchkiss hasn't done that this
special legislative committee could do. Ger
cain other Senator'S say that even IL the
Superintendent had not all the neediui
powers there should be broad investiga-
ton. Of which the fire insurance scandals
should be only a part
There isn't any certainty that there viii
be an investigation Of fire insurance com
pany conditions" said Senator Davis. of
Buffalo. Il don't know whether or not Mr..
Hotchkiss has been asked to express his
views on that subject before the Finance
Committee. but II seems to me that would
De the proper course. lie, Under the in
surance laws. has broad powers Of investl-
cation i'm the taking Of remedial steps and
in the recommendation Of legislation SO
II may be that the inquiry he is making
will answer all useful purposes. OF course.
he might have Information which would
render necessary d legislative inquiry But
certainly We should know his views before
taking any action on this resolution"
The Senate Finance Committee has made
ten,a5ive draft Of a resolution for a gen
era, investigation Of legislative corruption
which il will report soon. when IL has been
perfected. Action on this by the committee
probably will settle the fate Of the Nc
Inerney proposition
This tentative resolution provides for q
special legislative committee to investigate
specific charges or well authenticated in
stances Of suspicious transactions regard
ing legislation. II was intended to have it
so framed as TO shut out investigation Of
corridor gossip or the presentation Of ma
terial for investigation by irresponsible per
sons. As a result some Of the more radical
Senator's fear that it would be so narrow
or restricted that the proper kind of broad
investigation could not be carried on under
it's terms
III" IeSolG'ioh TOT winch DDJH elements IN
the Senate are striving would De happy
medium between the NewComb and Vain
wright sweeping propositions and the at
titude Of Speaker Wadsworth that there he
no investigation Of anything save A specific
charge against member Of the present
Legislature. II seems to men like New
comb. Wainwright Human and others that
the drafting Of such 4 resolution would be
so difficult as To be almost impossible. and
that in the end a pretty liberal discretion
as to the scope of the inquiry will have to
be left 70 the committee 10 make IT,
That. Of course, means some opposition N
The proposition N the Senate and much
from the WadswOrth machine in the lower
branch Of the legislature