New-York tribune., 1910-03-09
AILDS HEARD OF
BRIBERY FUND
HF KEPT INFORMA-
TTON TO HIMSELF.
,,rc4rs He Took No Money
for Voting against Bridge
Bills, but Only FolIozced
Platfs Orders.
-. -,...r-.-h 70 The Tr.eene.

-.o3 - Senator Iotham p. Aids. 6e-
<r5an+ in he bribery investigation now
hing conducted before the Senate COM
,-,i,-le Of the whole by James ". Os-
tarDe. counsel to- Senator Benn Conger.
ma ..a:rtfn. to-day produced testimony
~ sersa tional interest. Senator Aids.
-roG5ed by M-. Osborne until he ap-
lssIed for mercy to the chairman and
t.s lawyers were stung 10 hot protests,
testified in effect:
That ne knew the American Bridge
Company contemplated raising a Doodle
fund in 1907 through Frank Conger.
That he took no steps TO prevent the
raising Of that fund, by appeal to any
district attorney or the Attorney GEN
e-z' or the Governor.
That he told nobody about MS infor-
ration OF the contemplated fund, though
re -Tew publicity would have rendered
As use almost impossible il It were
r-ised.
That he never protested TO Benn
Cc7ser about il, though he knew Benn
Conger virtually represented the bridge
companies in the Legislature.
That ne realized the Assembly Internal
E6alrs Committee was very kind to Benn
Co1cer regarding the Stevens Malby'
highway legislation, but that he never
connected this kindness with the pos
cbility % the Doodle funds having been
rase5.
That +he Stevens -Maiby highway eeis-
istion was good legislation, designed to
check extravaganza and corruption in
:6e purchase of bridges by towns.
That he helped kill this good leuisla-
ti7n at the request of Senator Thomas
c Plat.
Tast he never told Senator PIatt about
the contemplated Doodle fund TO kill this
LEGISLATION.
That in thus helping to kill good Ieqis-
lstion al the request OF Senator Platt,
rms IN falling TO take action TO prevent
O. disclose any attempts to raise Doodle
:un1 TO affect legislation, he believed he
WIS not violating his oath as an AS
senblyn1an.
Also Senator Allds's cross examina-
ton showed that in 1900 he became pos
sossed Of one hundred shares Of stock Of
the New York Electrical Vehicle and
Transportation Company. His testimony
rsearding this was, in effect:
That 1t was bought for him in 1900
by Frank Price, or Theodore P. Gilman,
CT EDWARD n. Fallows, all OF whom lived
rit1 him and Speaker Nixon in the So
csllcd House OF Commons.
That he paid about $3.50 for it. but
could not remember whether in cash or
by check.
That then. and now. he had no knowl-
edge that this company was a successor.
70 the Fifth Avenue Stage Line in New
Ncrk.
hat then. and now. he had no knowI-
ecae that bill for which he voted in
300 conferred on this and no ether COM
pany IN the state a franchise to operate
CT al or any of the streets of the city,
ard had made no investigation OF the
bHl assuming II TO be a general meas
ure. and without a Joker"
That he haG no checks or check stubs
wnich would show how this stock was
paid for.
Ar- osborne. without directly saving
s.. Indicated by his questions consider
able doubt as to whether Senator Aids
ever aid pay for his stock and asked to
hzc- him furnish transcript Of his bank
- aunts for 1899 This Senator Aids
s "a Ire would do, but almost before the
words had left his mouth Martin w.
L.ttletQn and Lewis f Carr. Of his legal
ST. were interposing emphatic obiec-
l-us.
Osborne lnsistent.
y tiew OF my claim here. and : am
a.t So-ng TO make my claim now" re-
te--ed Mr.. Osborne. 4 do not think Won
can refuse to produce your bank ac-
caart for 1902
1lr Carr urged that nothing regard
~. his stock transaction which oc-
CARED in 1900 vas admissible Mr. Os-
.a-oe declared that the broad direct ex-
2.--'ation Of Senator Aids had left this
Gaa- open.
want the bank account TO prove this
s,oak was purchased or that it was NOT
Purchased al all" he said. They
opened the door. They say here we
2ant % prove our innocence. We want
:" account tor every dollar we ever got
End on their opening the door I find 4
transaction where q hundred shares Of
stock Is deposited 20 the credit Of this
gentleman. not dollar apparently paid
y Il. il is sold and he gets ali the none
and yu-s /; into one Of these bank ac-
-esn1s"
This electric vehicle and transporta-
2. p company vas Ryan Whitney con-
,ern. Much Of its history VAS disclosed
L. iac Investigation of the Metropolitan
La5s and the QDiSg 'acoeleration" con-
4--ted bv tho Public Service Commits
S:o1 u he lst District 1t seems the
-! 'aat = vas good thing was gen
e;2- in political circles here Senator
A.cz admitted somewhat ruefuIly that
,'-@ "as the only speculation on which
't lest money.
D7ar1atjc Examination.
IL first days grilling Of Senator Aids
as ioii Of dramatic incidents. Mr.. Os-
1-2e.s reputation IS q relentless. pug
is inGuIsi-cr has been gossip here
~ Gays, aad the fact Of his anxiety 10
ae- al Senator Aids has been concealed
''Aii neither lie defendant nor his coun-
si- Some hint Of trepidation was given
senator A!ids's manner when the
Of'@' examination finally was finished
- morning. This rapidly deepened
-' genuine nervousness as AIr Osborne
4l't question sfte. question at him ~
-i- hardly waiting fer answers. at
,'''5s repeating with significant empha-
ne answers which Senator Aids
s-ft .ta great reluctance.
IS Spectacle rare form Of
''ls'ic entertainment il SURPASSED
- PREVIOUS DAY H. tie bribery investl-
-''' not excepting the day when Ben,
-sfi tod his story Of the alleged
10y O. the days when Deacon Moe
- % The stand. Senator Aids prob
-olght he was being -butchered
- .-aEe e To-