New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-08-04
Former State Engineers and
Four Contractors Must
Answer in Court.
GOODS ROADS CONTRACTS
Said to Have Been Awarded r.
regularly-Engineer Skene
Claims Prosecution Is
Political Conspiracy.

tracts during the administration or Fred
erick Skene former State Engineer. who
is named in each Indictment The indict-
ments- are directed against:
Frederick Skene, State Engineer during
1s07-os
Frank L. Cannon. first deputy under
Skene, formerly of Lyons, but now said
TO be in Havana, Cuba
John P. Kelly. of Rochester. Skene' $
western division engineer.
Louis B. Harrison of New York, eastern
division engineer under Skene-
| John B. Russell president Of the Rus
sell Contracting Company, Of New York
City
John F. Clancy, Long Island City con-
tractor.
Thomas J. Gerehart. of the Robinson &
Gerehart Contracting Company, of Brook
lyn.
James K Palmer, of James K Palmer
& Co, Of Clearfeld. Penn
| The grand Jury which was convened by
| Governor Hughes, at the request of Attor-
ney General O'Maley, reported to the
court that 1t had not finished its labors
| and had information upon which 1t desired
| to make further investigation. The court
| excused the jury until September l. The
| charges. which resulted in to-day's in
| QlctrnentS, were presented TO the Attorney
| General by William r Hearst.
Before the grand jury reported Jacob l.
| Ten Eyck, of Albany, counsel for Skene,
| injected politics into the proceedings by
| applying 70 the court for an order direct
| ing Attorney General O'Malley to show
| cause why he should not be restrained from
further participation in the investigation.
| and why the court should not designate "a
r6DJlt9 hla of TN. standing nd
character of Joseph H. Choate or William
Hornblower'' TO take it in charge. The ap-
plication was denied.
Charges Political Aninus.
Sensational charges are made by Mr.
Skene in a petition In support of the ap-
pHcation. He alleges that the Investigation
Is being conducted at the instance of the
Attorney General for political purposes
He points out that the charges were laid
before Governor Hughes on two different
occasions. and that the Governor found
nothing that would involve the honesty
and integrity of the Skene administration.
Skene further declares that Attorney Cen
eraI OMalley and certain of his deputies
and politicians high in the councils in the
Republican and, possibly, the Democratic,
party" by continuing the investigation after
ortng TO weaken the influence of the Gov
ernor and his friends at the next Republi-
can state convention. and to further the At
torney Generals interests as a possible Re
publican governorship candidate
The former state engineer alleged two
consplracies against him. the one by the
Attorney General and his deputies the
other "concoCted and planned for blackrnaiI
and TO levy tribute upon him and certain
contractors, by his former secretary.
Charles R. O'Neill: John Allen. a former
canal clerk in the state engineers office:
Thomas Costello Thomas F. Powers and
others.
Says Investigation Is Hanpered.
The petition further alleges that Attorney
General O'Malley and his deputies are en-
deavoring to prevent a thorough and COM
plete investigation and have declined TO call
witnesses who could explain away certain
charges made against Skene. Among the
names Mr. Skene says he submitted were
William R. Hearst, I. j. Morris secre-
tary to the State Highway Commission;
Arnold Chapman. chief clerk TO State Engi-
neer Williams; State Treasurer Dunn and
members of the firms of the SteWart-ker-
gh-Shanley company and the Stanley
Morrissey company. He says he would also
like to have William J. Corners, former
chairman of the Democratic State Commit
tee: John Maher, formerly in charge OF the
Democra tic state headquarters in Albany
Charles F. Murphy, of Tammany Hall. and
William Fitzpatrick, of Buffalo, summoned
before the grand jury
Mr.. Skene claims that Mr. Fowler. one
of the deputies IN charge of the investiga-
ton. has stated in words or substance
that this investigation was opening up
line on some of their prominent political
friends whom they do not want TO involve
and that therefore he did not want 20 go
too deep into the matter in their direction"
Bail Fixed at $4,000.
The accused former State Engineer, who
was in court with his attorney, Mr.
Teneyck. has also engaged Frederick E.
Wadhars secretary of the state Bar AS
ISOLATION. TO aid in his defence. Skene en-
tered a plea OF not guilty. and bail was
fixed at $4,000.
Harrison's bail was placed at 5000 after
a plea of not guilty had been directed by
the court and Kelly was given week in
which to consult counsel
Counsel for Skene and Harrison asked to
be permitted to inspect the minutes of the
grand Jury. but Attorney General O'MaIley
ttce Conan said he would hear any appli- |
cations next Wednesday at p m, TO |
which time court was adjourned
Charged with Grand Larceny.
Skene and Russell are charged with grand |
larceny, first degree. 1t being alleged that |
the hid of the Russell Contracting Com
pany on road No 4S7. IN Nassau County. OF
s., 357 02 was raised 5000
A similar charge is made against Skene & /
II being alleged that bid OF sso-
oe2 90 by Clancy for constructing the Lib
road. IN Sullivan County.
was raised s. 600
Grand larceny IN the first degrees Is also
charged against Skene, Gerehart and Har-
rison. 1t being alleged that the Robertson
& Gerehart Contracting Company submitted
4 proposal to build the Quogue- Riverhead
road, In Suffolk County. for So. 096 90. and
that a false bid was inserted in the con-
tract. instead OF the original securing 10
the contractors s. 200 more than the origi-
aaI bid
Grand larceny is also charged against
skene and Palmer, 1t being alleged that
bid of Palmer & Co for constructing the
road in Otsego County. OF
IS s7s 81 was raised s, 500 They are also
alleged to have raised another Otsego Coun-
" road contract $3.50 over the original bid.
Sksne, Harrison and Gerehart are charged
with having aided and abetted in procuring
~ oil Pol Iair If