New-York tribune., 1910-11-14
CR|T|C|SE GRAFT HUNTERS.
Democratic Members Complain
of Lack of Progress Made.
CHARGE TOO MANY DELAYS
Inquiry Into Racing Lobby fund
VIII Be Resumed at Next
Session on Friday.

The legislative investigating committee
enbers received word yesterday that their
next session. which had been set for v ed1les-
day. was postponed until Friday Edwin
a Merritt II. the chairman OF the com
raittee, found that he would be unable TO
be In New York before Friday. so Ine
next meeting date was moved forward
At IT'S last sessions. before election, the
committee was engaged in tracking the
r-uno-s CT the half million dollar lobby
fund which II was reported was used IN
vain effort 10 defeat the Hughes anti
racing programme, and that same subject
viii be inquired into further on the re-
sumption OF work Oh Friday
The election result seems likely 70 have
some effect also upon The work Of the graft
hunting committee, according to the state
r11er1s Of Democrats yesterday. Senator
Robert 2 Wagner and Assenblynan
James A Folev. the Two Democratic mem
bars of the committee. who have been
KEN -rer-v- much IN the background 50 far.
their friends say. viii probably kick I'D
some dust and demand that the commit
ree ger busy in the limited time left Al
SIS disposal
There have been general dissatisfaction
and nor & little specific complaining about
re corrittee's work. Or rather its speed
or lack o. speed on the work. and the two
Democratic members intend to voice this
dissatisfaction II the near future
Some o. these complaints have been nut
before chairman Merritt and II. Linn
Bruce. the counsel Of the committee, bur
heir answer SO far has always been that
they do not intend 10 take any matter or
person ID IN the public sessions until they
are SATISFIED that thew viii be doing the
persons concerned no injustice.
L developed yesterday, however, that
some half dozen different matters, which
have been brought TO the attention Of the
committee. have been disposed OF n e1-
scurlve session without The Democratic
members having been app1sed Of the TACT
that such matters had ever been CONSIDERED
by TIE committee. and i Is on THIS po-nI
together with the complaint about Ihs &C.
u7e~are. ror 70 say slow, methods OF The
conrtrree. that Wagner and Foley want
= be heightened
The CITY Club and me Citizens Union
have each made specific requests 70 The
,or--7i-raa rnsr certain matters be Investi-
gated. hut each O. these organizations has
leer plr of with the promise that lis
cor7Dlainr would he taken up N due course
Cfr- Of these critics Of The committee
ro1i-z- rol--ed out las r1ghI that a. the
~e+e -he committee had been moving hs
eEtslar.lre would be IN session again anc
--e committees report n il due before -
fa5 much more than started It's investl-
rarlor. and with dozens Of specific com
rlgtr-s ignored. 70 say nothing Of any re
forms IN legislative methods being suggest
zd which would make the path IF the cor
-7.r- lot bz-ist z harder -oad 70 travel
.rp-a--icaIv speaking said this critic
,,esrAr7sv this committee. appointed at
nc end Of 4he last session Of the Legls-
lgr71re. did absolutely nothing all summer
When the members cid come together they
re- fo- three and ~ the most four. caEs
2 7reek-zfor1- hour days -hev were 100
and what with adloUrnmenrs over labor
Tav and over the campaign -ue. and
Prospective ad1eur-7rne1-s ov=r Thanksgtv-
Ing time and rhe Christmas z-d Nsv- Year
~oli5z- season the best Va C2- look -o-
* -na- hv Jeuua--- -5 -h=-- VII have been
zble 70 nuish W ne matters ~---c hay
have already starred
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