The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-25
WITNESS RELATES
STARTLING STORY
Tells Committee Of Attempt to
Secure Thaw's Release
Through Bribery.
$4,000 WAS AMOUNT PAID
This Proved So Easy That Effort
Was Made to Get
More.
$4,000 WAS AMOUNT PAID
Especial to The Times Dispatch

ring. made UP OF Superintendent Scott
and his immediate underlinBs, were en-
gagged In n conspiracy to involre the
Governor OF the State OF New York. so
they might be retained In their posi-
tions. or 80 they might continue the
profitable business in brokerage par
dons they had conducted under Gov
ernor Dix. | called the attention OF
the Governor to the fact that he was
In grave danger lie told me 1 should
Investigate"
Such was the startling charge made
day by William f. Clark. secretary
of the Carlisle committee of inquiry.
tcstifying regarding tic alleged at
tempt to bride DR.. John X. Russell. su-
perintendent Of Matteawan state Hos
pi;al for the Criminal Insane. by John
Nicholas Anhut. to free Harry Ihaw,
slayer of Stanford White
Rciterating In detail the attempted
bribery. and again accusing Clark OF
using the name of Governor Sulzer IN
mn effort to get Thaw's release, DIR.
Russell followed Clark OH the stand.
Joseph F. Scott. superintendent OF
prisons told OF DR.. Russclrs report to
him OF the alleged attempt at bribery
and the alleged misuse OF the Cover
nors name.
Bribery Charge Dropped.
The bribery charge being only the
word OF Russell against Anhut, Colonel
Scott declared he saw no way to bring
about successful prosecution. and the
lnattcT WAS allOWeu 10 uTOp. II was w
Ills advice, Colonel Scott declared that
state Commissioner James Y. May, TO
which DR.. Russell had mentioned the
names. of Sulzer and Clark. took the
story to the Governor and secured his
emphatic statement that no was
authorized to use his maine in connec-
iion with the release of Thaw.
These were the chief events in the
most sensational session yet held by
the Carlisle committee.
H. 81. IL
dramatic.
In the early part OF December" ran
his testimony. 81 discovered Or. Russell
had sent for Thaw and asked him how
he would like 10 get out Naturally.
Thaw said he would like to get out
first rate.
well. said Russell. you have been
making a mistake in the way you have
been proceeding. Will suggest a law
Yer. and IL YOU retain him will guar
antee you viii be out OF this place In "a
very short time.
''Thaw." continued Clark. acting oil
the advice OF Russell. retained Anhut.
THE lawyer" declared Clark
through people connected with him
financially. handed the agent of DR.
Russell $4,000. DIT. Russcn was 70 re-
lease Thnw the latter part OF Decem-
Der. but getting the s25. 200 seemed to
hc so easy they decided they would
make another touch. The other amount
" dS UOl loI tiicoiuIIS tIIu UtN was
not liberated When Governor Sulzer
assumed Office these gentlemen became
very uneasy. and reported to Thaw that
he could not he released for al least
six or eight months. They handcd back
$1,000 OF the $4,000 which they had
originally received.
Clark Dcuics story.
Clark denied absolutely the story
that he had approached DR.. Russell on
behalf of Thaw, or that he had used the
l.y,Na f,f Z l,c
Questioned by Deputy Attorney
General Norton. counsel for the COM
mittec, Clark declined TO give the
sources OF his information. All the
essential facts. he insisted, could ba
verified by calling Thaw To the stand
together with the detective. Hoffman
supposed TO he I'm the employ Of the
Thaw family and constantly on duty
at or near Natteawan.
There is not any doubt declared
Clark. that the money was offered DR.
Russell admits il. He says he report
ed the offer to Superintendent Scott
The fact that the money was offered
was a felony. the fact that he refused
At the time 10 prosecute the man who
made the offer makes him particeps
criminis. and that Superintendent Scott
knew of 1t and failed to notify him to
have the man indicted, makes him
equally guilty, and he should be re-
moved.
Nial SidFcd AT superintendent Scott,
who. with a savage look listened to
every word of his attack Scott
turned to a friend and exclaimed:
That conspiracy. story is a lie Were
1t true 1 ought to be removed. Just
wait Till 1 get on the stand. will
make short work of such drIvel as
thsj'
Dr. Russell told of his acquaintance
with Anhut. who. he said. he met in
juno during legal proceedings in
volving Thaw. which were being
heard at White Plains. In August
he entertained -Anhut mt the hospital.
and OH November 22 met him In New
York. where the first attempt at
bribery. nc says. was made.
Now" said Norton. tell us Just
what Anhut said"
lie said that he had $4,000. that
could have any part OF it provided
| would release ThaNw. He said. fur.
thcrmore. he had been told that Mr.
SulZer would like to have Thaw re.
leased and would like to have it done
before his administration took effect
so as not to cmbarrass his admins
tration."
What did you say to him?"
told him could not do anything
OF that Kind. that thought too much
on my position and my honor to do
thing OF that kind"
lowing the bride offer he and Anhu,
went from the Hotel Savoy, where the
oifer was made. to the Plaza. where
they had luncheon at Anhut's cx-
pensc. Later they took walk In
Central Park. After that they took
CAP Tor me horse show iii Madison
until Russell's train time.
Russell and Anhut met again in
New York on December IL, accordine
To the latter's testimony. '>.s
Determined to. Squelch IT.
II knew very well what he wanted
to see me about" declared Russell
sduclch that thing then and there
went herewith that purpose and did
.s1uclch 1t. 7 told him II the Cover
;nor wanted this thing done he woi,i1
have to send me an order to that
effect when he was Governor. told
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