Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-02-19

Bill introduced In New York Legisla-
ture to Appoint Commission For
Sweeping Probe-Sesoo Check Idsn-
tilted.
Albany, ". Y, Feb. 16-During the
cross-examinatiOn Of Senator Conger
In the Conger-AIlds scandal, Senator
Newcomb quoted a remark OF Att9r-
ney Osborne's admitting that in 1908
the bridge interests OF the state raised
a corruption fund.
81 ask" said Mr.. Newcomb. IF you
have personal knowledge OF the &C
emulation OF a fund IN 1909 to In
fiuence the trend OF legislation IN New
York;"
II have" said Conger.
The question was not followed. but
Conger's answer is indicative Of con
ditions which may be found when the
legislative corruption probe commits
sion gets down 20 work.
Senator j. NJ Wainwright. OF West
chester county. introduced a resolu-
ton providing for the appointment OF
Joint committee Of three senators
and Eve assemblymen who shall be
given an ample appropriation and
practically unlimited power 70 con
duct such an inquiry. The measure is
supposed 20 represent the views OF
Governor Hughes and his advisers.
and its sweeping provisions reveal
how desperate these men consider the
situation
When Senator ConEer returned 10
the stand he identified the stub OF the
$500 check which originally repre-
scented the alleged bribe fund II was
dated April 22 1901 He said his
brother Franks checkbook was deliv-
cred 10 him In 1902 by Moe. after
Fronk Conger's death. The stub. he
said. was In Noes handwriting The
presiding officer ruled that the identI-
fication would have TO be proved by
Moe. and the admission OF the check
book In evidence was postponed until
Moe could be recalled 10 the stand.
Senator Conger then outlined his
legislative and business career. He
first became personally interested I'm
bridge affairs. he said. IN 1901. when
he became Identified with the Boston
Bridge works. He became interested
IN the Groton and Canton Bridge com
panies from 1902 20 1900.
The testimony then veerei to the
bills which figured in the alleged brib.
ing of Aids in 1901 Senator Conger
gave brief history OF the proposed
bridge legislation referred TO in the
letter between former United States
Senator Platt and Editor Smyth. OF
Oregon. 81 recall conversations be-
tween my brother prank and Mr.
Aids Ia my apartment here" ne con
tlnued, some time between April 10
and 16 1901. Mt Aids said: You
don't care 20 that taxpayers bill OF
Stevens and Malby passes. II the other
bill is killed We let that 20 through
he said. and it viii be little sop 10
Stevens
Senator Conger said the Malby-
Stevens bin had passed at that time
and was in the hands OF the governor.
The identity OF the two unnamed
Legislators ConKer and Moe say shared
with Aids in the $4,000 corruption
fund came step nearer disclosure
when Attorney Osborne asked II either
OF these men were officeholders under
the state government
Conger replied that they were not.
Frank l.. Barnes, assistant cashier
OF the First National bank. Of Syra-
cuse. took the stand after recess. He
identified the New York drafts cashed
by Moe at the bank on April % OF
that year. and further corroborated
Noes testimony regarding this trans
action by the banks books. The wit
ness said he had never seen Moe
since this transaction. but remember
ed how he looked. He and Noe talked
banking matters. he said. when the
latter was presented 10 him.
There was a stir in the chamber
when the witness admitted that Ray
b. Smith. clerk OF the assembly. had
called his hank on the telephone and
inquired about the entries on the cash.
Ing Of drafts. Mr. Osborne tried I'M
successfully 20 have Mr. Smiths name
withheld