New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-24
PRIMARY FRAUD CHARGE
TAKEN UP BY WHITMAN
Many Witnesses SubpGnaed to
Tell of Alleged Third Party
Theft in 9th District.
KOENIG GETS EVIDENCE
Prendergast Urges Inquiry as
to Mills's Testimony Involv-
ing Friedel, an Appointee
of the Controller.

The charges made two weeks ago that
the Sth Assembly District vote was stolen
by the Progressives at the last primary
election were taken up yesterday by Dis
trict Attorney Whitman. ogden L. Mills,
treasurer of the Republican County Com
mittee, made the charges when he tesu-
fed before the Senate investigating com
mittee on October Z. They were brought
10 the District Attorney by Samuel S.
Koenig. president Of the Republican
County Committee and Captain John
Boyle, jr.. secretary Of the committee
Mr. Mills made no bones of saying that
Louis Friedel, the Republican leader in
that district, could explain why it went
solid for Roosevelt A number of facts
concerning the primary election there
were turned over TO the District Attorney
yesterday by Mr. KOenig and Mr.. Boyle.
More than one hundred witnesses have
been subpPnaed and an explanation will
be sought. II II appears that crime has
been committed prosecution against the
person or persons responsible will be
started Immediately. The nature Of the
evidence adduced viii determine whether
the inquiry will then proceed before a
magistrate or before a grand jury.
Grossest Padding, Says Koens.
After seeing James B. Reynolds, head
Of the District Attorneys complaint bu-
reau yesterday, Mr.. KOenig said that his
investigation showed the grossest pad
ding and falsity in primary elections ever
attempted in New York City" Mr. Mills
also had a conference with Mr.. Reynolds
about the matter. Controller Prender-
CAST, who on August ] last appointed
Fr,edel q deputy superintendent Of mar
kets, wrote to the District Attorney yes
terdy, inclosing a certified copy of the
testimony given by Mr.. Mills in Wash
ington Mr.. Reynolds. himself a Progress
sive, turned the matter over to George u.
Medalie, the Assistant District Attorney
I'm the complaint bureau who has been
assigned TO look into alleged infractions
Of the election law.
Mr.. Koenig and Captain Boyle turned
over to Mr.. Medalie the facts in their
possession. They brought down card
index of all the Republican voters en-
rolled in the Sth Assembly District The
story they had to tell was much the same
as that told by Mr. Mills. Friedel, whose
home is at No. 81 Canal street was
recognized as the leader of the district.
He was supposed to be a Taft man. 1t
was said that the Republican organiza-
ton gave him $50 for expenses incidental
10 the primaries and that he received
$50 for a similar purpose from the Pro-
grcssives.
1T any rate 10 the surprise of the Re-
uublicans. the district went strongly for
Roosevelt. and there were several pc
GUITAR features to the election. In eight
election districts-the 1st, ID Sd, 4th 5th,
5th. 18th and 16th-Roosevelt delegates
and Taft alternates We're chosen unani-
mously; moreover, II was found that the
votes were cast practically in alphabet
cal order The return sheets for the Sth
Assembly District were not turned in
until very late a messenger sent by Mr..
Koenig to find Friedel about midnight OF
primary day is under subpoena by the
District Attorney. IT is said that ne
found him in cafe with the return
sheets in his pocket.
Many Say They Didn't Vote.
Mr.. Koenig's investigators whom ne
sent out as soon as he learned Of Mr..
Mnls's statements, devoted particular at
tention to the 4th Election District. They
reported that 100 votes were cast there for
the Roosevelt delegates and 109 for the
Taft alternates. and that the voters APP
peared 20 have come virtually in alpha
betical order. There were no dissenting
votes. Sixty-six of the 100. it was said.
had been Intercepted by the investi-
gators and were willing to sign afldavits