Omaha daily bee., 1910-02-20
BRIBERY INQUIRY BROADENS
Indications that Graft Scandal Al
Albany Will Be Probed Deep.
WHO GOT REST OF MONEY
Attempts to Make Senator COnger
Tell Ultimate tina of
$4,000 Paid to Jean L.
Burnett.

ALBANY. n. v, Feb. 19.-The senate's
investigation OF the .'onF.~ bribery charges
was adjourned yesterday with a question
unsettled which may vitality affect the pro-
duction OF further evidence when sessions
are resumed next Tuesday. This question
was whether or not Senator Bonn Conger
can be forced to tell what he knows about
the final disposition of the $4,000 which
he says was given to Assemblyman Jean
l.. Burnett In 1901 as part Of the alleged
price Of immunity for the bridge com
panies from ''strike legislation"
Although they directed their client to
answer when he was told to reveal the
names on the other two envelopes yester-
day and the day before, Conger's counsel
today objected to this effort to drag from
him any more names
Some senators, however, took the ground
that Conger should mot be compelled to
reveal more names at this time as he would
be available as a witness when the inquiry
is extended beyond the charges against
Allds.'
The argument made it clear that the
legislature confidently expects such fur
Their investigation.
More Names in Evidence.
Congcr brought into the evidence yester-
day the names of several men now in
office in such a way that, although not
charged with wrong doing. 1t is probable
they will have a hearing. s.. Percy Hooker,
state highway commissioner, was named
as the man who helped Conger draft the
proposed amendment to the highway law
that was supposed to be desired by the
bridge companies. AssembIyman j. p.
Yale of Putnam county was spoken of as
the author OF the highway law which
struck at the bridge companies after they
had refused, according to Conger, to con-
tinue the payment OF tribute to the polit-
icaI leaders. Senator Heacock of Herkimer
county was the man who introduced the
bill drafted by Conger and Hooker, which
Aids is supposed to AVE persuaded the
assembly rules committee to kill at the
last session of the legislature.
The big questions, however. are: Who
shared with the late Jean L. Burnett the
$4,000 which Conger says Burnett received
from Hiram G. Moe on April %, 1901? and
who made the demand for $4,000 ''protec.
ton" money which the bridge companies
refused in 1906?
Conger's testimony that Speaker Nixor
and lothian P. Aids received only SL,OO
for their influence at that time preclude,
the superstition that Burnett was given tn,
larger sum all for himself. II Congel
knows how the money was distributed h,
may be forced to-tell before he leaves tn,
stand.
Made Charges to Insurgents.
Lewis e. Carr asked Senator Congo
today why he did not announce in tn,
assembly that an attempt had been mad,
to blackmail the bridge companies.
Il didn't think it would do any good,
replied the senator.
Conger declared that he had mentioned
his charges against Aids to two senator
just before the Insurgents held thei
meeting. He said he did not give his in
formation to the republican caucus, tina
chose Aids, but disclosed it at the Tin
surgent'' conference.
Mr.. Carr announced that his examination
a was over for the present.