Perth Amboy evening news., 1910-02-17

alDdHi, N. l., req. 1I.-TONefuOf
Hughes has taken hand in the Aids
bribery scandal by appointing two
special commissioners to investigate
frauds in the purchase of Adirondack
forest lands by the state. For num-
Der of years Senator Aids was en-
ployed by the state land purchasing
board examining titles to this land.
This investigation was decided upon
at conference between Speaker
James w. Wadsworth of the assembly
and Governor Hughes and was urged
by Speaker Wadsworth.
Continuing his testimony before the
senate in connection with his charges
of bribery against Senator Aids,
Senator Benn Conger testified to the
name of second assemblyman to
whom one of the three Doodle envel-
opes distributed by Hiram G. Moe was
given. 1t was that of the late Jean
L. Burnett, who entered the assembly
from Ontario county in 1899 and serv-
ed successfully until he died during
the session in February, 1907.
Burnett Headed Cities Committee.
Mr.. Burnett had become one of the
most influential members of the house
presided over by the late Speaker s.
Fred Nixon and was chairman of the
assembly cities committee when he
died At the time Of the bribery Mr.
Burnett was chairman Of the assembly
general laws committee.
In discussing the history of the
bridge legislation Of 1901 Senator Con
ger brought in the names of former
Assemblyman Louis Bedell of Orange
county, who was member of the as
sembly committee on rules at that
time, and the names Of several mem
bers of the internal affairs committee.
but there was no suggestion of the
use of money by Senator Conger in
this connection.
Coneer Sharply Cross Examined.
Lewis T.. Carr, counsel for Senator
Aids, put Senator Conger through
sharp cross examination as to the ac-
ton of the assembly internal affairs
committee on the Malby-Stevens bill
aimed at the bridge interests. He
brought out that the bills were amend
ed so as to provide that they should
not apply to the construction of
bridges costing less than $4,000. The
bill originally provided that where a
bridge was to cost more than $1,000
he question should be voted upon by
he taxpayers. Then the assembly in
ternal affairs committee amended the
bill by providing that the people
should vote Oh all bridge expenditures
If over 5000. 1t was here that the
fridge interests made their influence
felt and changed the limitation to
10000, thus rendering the bill use
ass. Mr. Carr had asked Senator Con-
ger who suggested the $4,000 amend
ment, asking the witness if he could
remember.
Says Burnett Got Envelope.
1T was the late Assemblyman Jean
Rurnett, then member of the inter
nal affairs committee. He was one of
the men who got the envelopes that
Moe gave out. He came to me in the
assembly lobby and agreed to extend
the amount from $1,000 to $4,000"
Were you approached by any one
else on the subject of amending these
bills?"
Yes; by Assemblyman Louis Be
dell. He made suggestions on the
same line as those made by Burnett to
amend the bridge bills so as to make
them satisfactory to the bridge inter-
ests.'
Bedell Gives conger the Lie.
When he heard of the testimony of
Senator Conger in regard TO him ex-
Assemblyman Louis Bedell of Goshen
said:
Senator Conger lied. / know moth
ing of the transaction. Except that
have taken the trouble to refresh my
memory l did not even know what
the bill in question was, and the only
connection | had with it was to vote
for it.
Il am going to Albany to confront
Senator Conger. | shall also seek an
opportunity to testify"
Woodruff For Wider Inquiry.
To add to this situation Timothy L. |
Woodruff, chairman of the Republican
state committee, put in an appearance
In Albany for the first time since he
succeeded in accomplishing the cleo
tion of Senator Aids as majority lead
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