New-York tribune., 1910-02-16
CONGER TELLS OF
BRIDGE MONEY
STATE COMMITTEE
GOT FUNDS IN 1909.
Uainzcright and Ne1ccomb
Resolutions assure Real In
uestigation by Legislature.
by Telegraph 20 The Tribune J


Albany Feb. 15.-Developments OF
startling character marked to-day's
sessions of the Senate and the Senats
Committee of the Whole. sitting TO in
vestigate the bribery charges against
Senator Jotharh P Aids The impor-
lance of these developments TO the fuf-
ure of the Republican party in this
state and their farreaching effect on
subsequent proceedings of this Lssisls-
turc cannot we'll be overestfmated. In
chronological order they included;
The introduction by Senator j. May
hew wainwright. OF Westchesser County,
of resolution providing for joint COM
rr1ittee of the Legislature to conduct .
general investigation of the most sweep
ina character into any matters indi-
cstirq corruption of any Legislature Or
legislator at any time
The admission by Senator 5enn Con-
ger, under Interrogation by Senator Jo-
siah 7. Newcorb. Of New York, that
there were bridge DOODLE funds raised N
1902 and 1908 and partial fund IN 1903.
Tn. further admission that in 1908 the
oroton Bridge Company handled this
corruption fund.
The statement by Senator Coneer that
in 1902 the bridge companies made
contribution from, their sccun,uisteo
fund to the chairman of the Republican,
State Committee. In 1902 the state
chairman was George w. Dunn, Of Bine-
hamton.
The presentation by Senator Ne~eor-o
Of resolution for Investigation by tho
Senate, sitting in Committee OF tbs
Whole. of these matters as soon ss it
finishes the Aids inquiry. This resoiu-
ton awakened hot opposition and re-
n1sined undisposed OF when adjournment
was taken for the day.
INVESTIGATION By SMITH
Also the days testimony disclosed the
interesting fact that Ray B Smifh
clerk of the Assembly. had been tnvestf-
eating certain evidence in the AIDS
Conger case Inquiry into this shows
that Mr.. Smith did it for somebody who.
he assumes. represented Senator Aids
or his lawyers.
Senator Newcon1b drew this inforr1a-
ton from Senator Conger with great
difficulty Several times the witness
had to be ordered 10 answer the 1ues-
tions. Many times interruptions came
from other Senator'S. but chiefly from
Senator Grady. who at the beginning
sought in various ways to hamper or
hinder the asking of the questions al
though he insisted later that he had no
desire to head off any general investi-
cation which might be desired
To obtain on the record specific ma
teriaI on which 10 base his future de-
mand for general investigation was
Senator Newcomb's purpose He sue
ceeded. Not even the most conservative
or reactionary Senators after he had mn
ished, fighting every inch of the ground
hesitated to declare such an investiga-
tion would be held. Even Senator
Grady. who in a burst of enthusiasm.
declared that he was going to get into
the limelight," and "out radical the
radicals and get right into the band
wagon" promised to move tomorrow
morning for a full and complete inquiry
after the Aids case is decided But
then that was in the heat of a battle
with Newcomb, and the Democratic
leader knows that his resolution would
not make or break this situation An
investigation there will he. at any rate
How general it will be will have TO be
determined by the leaders of the two
houses
INQUIRY BY REPUBLICANS.
Senator WainWright's resolution covers
anv conceivable circumstance to fndi-
cate corruption or attempt to corrupt
anv legislator. Senator Newcomb's mo-
ton. offered from the floor, would limit
the future investigation TO an inquiry
into bridge corruption Somewhere be-
tween the two seems to be about the
PROPER course to many legislators At
any future investigation. moreover, 1T 10
certain that the Assembly VIII demand
IN have representation. which Is not
| contemplated in the NewComb motion
| Certainly, however the means of 1nvestl-
| eation be worked out. there will be an
| investigation, and a real one. into any
| thing which within reason could be held
! m Indicate the corruption of legislators
bv bridge companies or other instru-
n,entaIities. And that investigation will
no begun and carried through by Re-
nubIicans. the chief impetus being fur
nished by Republicans of the Hughes
| brand.
Senator Newcomb was resolved that
! robodx- should be able at any future
| time 10 say that there was not sufficient
material in the evidence of the Aids
bribery case TO warrant future investi-
cations. He was not taking any chances.
/ either. of being able 10 draw out the
reouisite information after this case
should be completed. He determined 10
get the. first hand admissions from Sem
ator Conger while on the stand, and so
made arrangements with the Conger
LAWYERS this morning to ask certain
Questions at a time convenient to them
without telling them what he intended TO
! ask. But as soon he tried to ask
these questions Senator GRADY declared
his attempt an interruption. and he was
| shunted over until the direct examina-
| ton of Senator Conger was finished.
GRADY ENTERS ARENA
/ That time came this afternoon about
/ an hour before the days adjournment
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