The Detroit times., 1911-02-09
TOLD TOWNSEND
NOT TO Dis UP
Major Loomis Tells of Conversation
He Had With Man Who Makes
Charges Against Bradley.
(From a star correspondent.)

Sherman M. Townsend told his story
OF the alleged bribe soliciting by Sem
ator William Bradley, told the senate
investigating committee this morning
OF the conversation Jan. 10 and 20.
Loomis said he advised Townsend
then not to pay a cent. When the
charges became public last week he
advised Townsend to tell the lieuten-
ant-governor his whole story.
Loomis said in response to Chair
man Miller that Townsend made the
reference to Bradley having notified
him the day before that he would be
dismissed. Edwin III. Grifnth, assist
ant sergeant-at-arms and John Hol-
comb, keeper of the document room
and one of Bradley's appointees, said
Townsend asked them about the mid
die of January whether they mad
heard OF employees paying for their
jobs. Townsend was cautious and
merely said he had heard rumors OF
such things.
Holcomb said no suggestion OF a
payment was made to him by Brad.
ley.
He said he thought the date was
Jan. 2S, when Townsend spoke to him.
This was several days after the Loom
In conservation and after the govern
or's economy message.
Clyde Watt, OF Saranac, clerk OF the
judicial committee, who has been
mentioned with Secretary z. v. Chill
son In the matter, said that Town
send Is his neighbor. He told Town
send last Thursday that he regretted
the affair and wished Ii could be ad-
justed.
He said he tried to avoid discussion
because Of his friendship for both, but
Townsend told him OF the Downey
house incident.
Il ran into him and Chilson in Chill
sons room just before the afternoon
session when Bradley asked for an
| investigation" said Watt. II said
Isn't It possible that you made some
mistake? He said he didn't think SO
also suggested that Bradley was
hasty In asking for his dismissal and
! asked II they could talk IL over. !
said, III Bradley was wrong you ought
to have your position back He said
he wanted ii back because his wife
would be In Florida"
Watt explained that his appoint.
hi~Ht co'aS thhOubh ttuC
governor and not Bradley though
Bradley spoke In his behalf There
was no suggestion of pay.
Questioned by Arthur Tuttle, Brad
ley's attorney, Watt told OF conver-
, sation between Chilson and Towus.
end. "Chilson said. Sherman you have
made serious charges. You have
blackened that mans character for
life; you may be called upon to prove
IT.. Can't you see some place where
you were mistaken? Chilson did not
tell Townsend In my presence that
Townsend was apt to lose his farm
nor did he try to intimidate him"
After the talk I met Senator Brad
ley and suggested that he take Towns.
end back. He said he would not. but
would demand the investigation. To
Attorney Scully, Watt admitted there
might have been some talk before he
went into Chilson's Office. He admitted
that Townsend never volunteered that
he might have been mistaken.
The suggestions all came from Chill
son. Secretary Ghilson said Towns
end was brought to him Jan. 80 by
Senator Newton. Chilson aAked
Townsend IL he realized the serious
ness of his statements and whether he
would make an affidavit. which
Townsend did
He asked Townsend last Thursday
IL he did not think there had been a
Misunderstanding Townsend said he
was willing TO compromise, and asked
in what position II would leave him.
Chilson said it might result In a civil
tfft nd Ii
sweat blood Chilson then told OF
the conference In Rosss room.
On questions by Tuttle, Chilson laid
Townsend had said he was convinced
he had misunderstood Bradley's mean
ing.
Senator Frank Newton told OF his
first talk with Townsend Jan. 30 over
the scandal. Newton had told him he
might be dismissed.
Townsend asked IL Ii was custom
airy TO ask money for jobs. I said
that would be the limit Then I asked
II Bradley had asked him for money
He hesitated and then told me mis-
story. told him II was serious and
he had better tell Secretary Chilson
took him to Chilson and he made
the affidavit. cautioned him that IL
was a serious thing TO swear to- Az
terward we had the conference I'm
Ross,s Office, and brought Townsend
I'm. | advised Townsend for heavens
sake not To 20 out and lie to the
senate
Senator Bradleys effervescent test
imony in the investigation OF the
charges OF attempted bribery made
against him BY Sherman NJ. Town
send, deposed assistant sergeant-at'
arms. was badly rlddled BY no less an
authority than Iieut..Gov. Ross, who
went on the stand yesterday afternoon
to tell what he knew OF the scandal
now stirring the whole capitol
There was no questioning the lieu
tenant governors testipony, and he
tCouftpued on PAGE Nfuel