New-York tribune., 1911-10-07
ALBANY INQUIRY OPENS |
BarneS'S Name Figures in Testi-
n1ony Offered at Capital.
REJECTED BONDS BOUGHT
Ex-Police Captain Says He Was
Forced Out of Office to Make
Room for Republican.

Room for Republican.
[By Telegraph 20 The Tribune
Albany. Oct 6.-The legislative investiga-
ton of Albany, which was inspired by
Senate Clerk Patrick z. McCabe in order
10 undermine the political strength Of VIII
| lam Barnes. ir. the Republican state
chairman. in this city and county. began
to-day. and Mr. Barnes's name was brought
into the testimony more than once. James
| ". Osborne the chief investigator looked
| familiar as he grilled the various witnesses
while standing in about the same place in
the Senate chamber that he aid during the
Aids investigation last year The only
thing OF any consequence which he brought
out to-day was that the city OF Albany
had sold 100000 IN bonds which had been
( rejected by the National Copper Bank Of
New York on the advice Of an attorney
named Deleheld, who held that the laws
/ had not been complied with. The bonds
were purchased by the late State Controller
Gaus. formerly Mayor Of Albany for the
canal sinking fund and by City Controller
Fuller for the police pension fund
II is charged the bonds were issued 70
pay for the construction Of a pavement
from the end Of Western avenue 10 the
Country Club and the bungalow Of Mr.
Barnes near by. When Mr osborne stated
that that part of Western avenue which
this pavement covered was not wholly
within the city Corporation Counsel An
drews retorted 1T is in the city
NO, sir. it is not Mr Osborne re
piled
Mr. Corporation Counsel. YOU must keep
quiet said Senator Bayne You must
not disturb the proceedings
When Mr. Andrews attempted 70 explain
/ his position he was told that he must take
/ his seat.
/ Mr Barness name was brought out
/ prominently in the testimony a second time
while John H Sheridan. a former police
captain Of the city. was on the stand.
] Sheridan said that he had been retired on
police pension last June after he had
| been in conference with Edward B. Can
tine. Commissioner Of Public Safety.
Sheridan is Democrat. and il is held
| that he was retired 70 make place for A
/ Republican.
( Mr.. Cartine asked me- 70 resign, Sheri-
dan said. Saying that II 7 did not he
would dismiss me and would get no pen
sion. He told me that he was acting on
the order Of Mayor McEwan, Mr Barnes
and the organization. I told him that
I wanted three days 10 think il over. When
! I returned. 10 him I said that I would ac-
cept the terms"
Patrick z. McCabe was an interested
spectator during the hearing. and the ap-
pearance Of William NJ WINS, Of New
York. also created considerable comment
Mr.. WINS said that he had been engaged
70 consult with Corporation Counsel An
drews in connection with the inquiry.
One If the first witnesses 10 be called
was CITY Controller Fuller He was ques-
TONED. concerning the bonds for the West
ern avenue pavement. which were placed
in the police pension fund. Asked why ne
had purchased twenty Of the bonds which
had been repudiated bv the bank. he said
| that the Corporation Counsel told him tc
do 81.
HIS word IS nv law said Mr Fuller
ocVe receives, word that interest in the
savings bank might be reduced. and
thought f. would be a good investment
In answer 70 other questions Mr.. Fuller
/ admitted that the bonds had not been
offered az public auction in order 10 save
the CITY the expense Of selling them. which
would be about $50.
William Schaible. secretary Of the COM
rnissioners of the Canal Fund and James
N Wendell, Deputy state Controller. gave
testimony as 10 the sale Of the Western
avenue pavement bonds for the canal sink
irg fund Mr. schaiole said that the bonds
were approved by Otto Kelsey. Their
Deputy State Controller and that on a
memorandum accompanying them was
written the words No legal papers" Mr.
Schatble said that that meant that the
bonds we're not examined By the Attorney
General
NIr. Osborne announced that Nj KELSEY
had been subpnnaed 70 appear before the
committee TO-DAY. Others subpGnaed in
cluded various officials Of Albany and Post
master Henry 2. Snyder. a former Mayor
Corporation Counsel Andrews was asked
concerning meetings OF the Board OF Con
tract and supply, which Mr. OSBORNE al
legged were deferred from three TO SIX
months beyond the tine specified by law,
thus. he said. forcing the city 70 pay large
sums at big interest 70 contractors.
NJ Andrews said the meetings had been
| deferred purely BY accident.
The committee adjourned 70 meet next
Tuesday at Il so a m. and it is planned
10 hold sessions four DAYS a week Mr. Os-
borne said he had enough TO keep them
going