The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-02-18
BRIBERY
SCANDAL CROWS
Revelations May Lead to Probe
Into Other Matters
sONGER CLOSELY QU zzED
state senator Tells All About the
Bribery Affair and Says 1t Was
Merely BIackmaiI of the
Bridge Company

on one of the envelopes in which they
carried 5000 to the state capitol nine
years ago to buy protection for the bridge
The name of the former
speaker of the assembly announced today
hy Conger on the stand completes the
trio. Speaker Nixon's envelope, accord
ing to Conger, like that of Senator
lothian P. Aids. held $1,000. The re-
mainder OF the fund, $4,000 was in the
envelope given to Nixons lieutenant, as
semblyman Jean Laurue Burnett.
These were the revelations that marked
the closing minutes of the states investi-
cation OF the bribery charges this after
noon. But such disclosures had been SO
far discounted by rumor and expectations
that the announcement of Nixons name
and the thrilling legal skirmishes leading
up to 1t were only an incident in an aft
ernoon full of surprises. Nixon is dead
and Burnett is dead, and of Aids the
only living member of the trio, his ac-
cuser probably has told the worst he can
have to say
But there are other graft Investigations
to come and today's proceedings brought
out a rich harvest of evidence on which
to bring them.
According to Conger a systematic cam
paign was conducted at Albany from 1902
to 1905 against the bridge companies.
For three years the companies paid
tribute. In 1905 notice came from Albany
that it would be to their interests to for
ward to the capitol $4,000. Then the
men who controlled the bridge compan nies
n in Gyra nd n
AS Conger expressed 1t. 1--WE decided We
would not be blackmailed any longer"
Hostile Bills Killed
During the four preceding years meas
ures hostile to the bridge companies had
been introduced regularly but they always
failed to pass But in 1905 the legisla-
ture passed q highway act which placed
on the statute books provision against
contended. AS a result of this law 60
per cent Of the bridge companies were
forced out OF business in New York
state.
Aids accuser was on the stand all day
and this was his story. He told 1t under
cross-examination and Aids attorneys
seemed quite ready to let him tell It.
Their purpose, apparently. was to brand
Conger as a giver of bribes, as a rep
resentative of the bridge interests in the
legislature and to show that he was
actuated in bringing against Aids the
charges the senate is now investigating
by desire for revenge for Aids hos
tilty to the business interests where
Conger had invested money
The announcement of Speaker Nixon's
name came within five minutes of ad-
journment. s. Fred Nixon probably held
more power than any other member OF
the assembly that ever occupied the
speakers chair. He first entered the
lower house in 1887 and was elected speak
er in 1899. He ruled the assembly con-
tinuously up to the time of his death In
the fall of 1905.
The name of Col. George w. Dunn
chairman of the state committee in 1902
was brought definitely into the evidence
today, thus making him available as a
witness In future Investigations.
Talked With Burnett
When Senator Conger came back to thu
stand at the resumption of the investiga.
tion today he again insisted that he haC
a talk with Mr.. Burnett regarding the
amendment to the Stevens bill, saying
Burnett had a memorandum of the pro.
posed amendments.
who put the article in the bill?'
II don't know"
The witness was questioned then about
his conversation with Aids. He said no.
tody else was present. Conger was asked
to repeat the conversation and for the
third time since the investigation begar
the senate heard Aids alleged warning
THAT you better get the American Bridge
people up here"
Conger was made to rehearse what ht
says transpired between his brother
Frank, vice president of the American
Bridge company, and Aids when the lat.
ter called at Senator Conger's apartments
here to discuss terms. The witness sait
he did not make any objection to the pay.
ment of money for the purpose referred
to. II lll2aH n
''Tho conversation was on the subject Of
bribery, wasn't it?' asked Carr.
II considered it more blackmail than
bribery" declared Conger. with the first
show of resentment he had made during
the morning.
Mr.. Carr objected to this answer and
the chairman refused to let 1t stand on
the record.
''You understood that Mr.. Aids as a
member of the legislature had promised
to receive a certain sum for his action on
legislation and you didn't consider it brib-
ery?'
Called 1t BIackmaiI
COuSlueTeu IL Dldchiildli insisted Lne
witness.
When Carr demanded categorical an.
swer. Conger finally replied:
mo SIR"
'I told my brother said Conger, fur.
ther along in the examination, 'that did
not want anything to do with the handling
Of the money because I was legislator
and it was to be paid to a legislator.
Conger's attorneys objected to the
chairman's refusal to allow Conger t.
say he considered the payment black.
mail to stand. Judge VanWyck contend
ed that to make a demand for money
was blackmail, but the demand by Civ.
ing money was not bribery.
WAS the money brought here fol
that purpose?" pursued Carr.
"Yes." admitted Conger.
Conger confirmed Hiram G. Noes state
ment that the senator hSd instructed Moe
how to divide the 5000 sent by hi.
brother Frank for the bridge company
and told him the names to write or
the envelopes.
Carr made the witness describe in de
tail his alleged trip with Moe to the cap
itol on April %, 1901. to distribute tn,
money.
You knew for what purpose the none,
was given, didn't you?" he asked.
"I did said Conger.
Campaign Contribution
Conger testified that he met Col. Georg,
A. Dunn, chairman of the republican