New-York tribune., 1913-05-18

ignore Anhuts attempt to prove I'M
munity.
The conviction Of Anhut is in part at
least, vindication of DR.. Russell Inc
accusation against Anhut was hrst
brought by DR.. Russell last FEBRUARY
before Governor Suffers commission
eppointed to investigate the admin
istration OF state departments. BEFORE
he was called before the commission
DR.. Russell had told Governor Suizer
and others a lribe had been offered 10
him TO free Thaw. and that he had oeeh
told IL was the Governors wish that
Thaw be freed.
At his first appearance before the
commission DR.. Russell said he couio
not remember the name Of the attorney
who offered him the money, nor couid
he give any description Of him. That
was explained by Mr.. De Ford in his
summing up yesterday on the grounu
that nerhaps DR.. Russell had "dallied
with the offer or that he felt 1t would
furnish capital for those who sought
to oust his superior If he were more
definite about the bribe.
When he was called before the COM
mission the second time DR.. Russell
testified It was Anhut who offered MIN
tba bribe His testimony the second
dav was much the same as that he
rave in court. He said Anhut. whom
he had met but once since seeing MN
et the White Plains hearing, had OF
fered him $4,000 on two occasions
first on November % at the savoy
Hotel and second on December 10 a'
tho Astor House. He had refused both
offers, he said.
Thaw Eager to Appear In Court.
Harry Thaw refused to testify before
the commission because the members
came TO Matteawan TO take his testl-
mony. instead OF calling him before
them. as they had other witnesses. lie
was eager TO appear in court, however
TJs testified he had given S2o,OOO TO
Anhut, with the understanding that a
mart Of II was TO be used as orioe
FOR DR.. Russell. but said he had had
an understanding with DR.. Russell De-
fore he ever saw Anhut which LED him
20 believe that for a consideration Dr.
Russell would free him.
Horace A. Hoffman. Thaw's personal
representative, testified he had taken
the money from Thaw and had given
Il 70 Anhut, receiving in return TWO
,eceipts for S12.5O0 each. The under
standing was that half the money was
20 be returned on January / II ina"
was not free. and the other half II
Thaw was not free by July /. 1he
receipts were produced.
Anhut. suave and polite admitted
receiving the money, but said 1t was
n contingent fee. and that DR.. Russell
after telling him 1t was through his IN
arence that Thaw had retained him.
had demanded $4,000 as his share
He did not appear to think 1t strange
he should have hopes Of earning the
fee. although he was not retained un-
III November 4, two months before the
first time limit expired.
John Nicholson Anhut was born IN
Detroit. He is said to have worked
as a bellboy in hotel under the name
Of AnhulsA and to have studied law
IN his leisure hours. In 1908, when he
was only twenty-three years DID, he
was elected to the State Senate from
the 4th District in Detroit. While
State Senator he devoted considerable
time to promoting the Anhut Motor
Car Company. Later the company
went into the hands Of a receiver. and
while Anhut was preparing to run
again for the State Senate an investi-
cation was started into his business
methods. He was arrested on capias.
and left for Chicago without attempt
ing TO clear himself.
He came TO New York in March,
1912. On November IA Of that year,
ten days after he had accepted the
contingent fee" from Thaw. he was
admitted TO the practice OF law IN this
ftate. With the exception Of the dis
astrous commission from Thaw, An
N,.t dgd ff+f1o b,ctppcq n New York.