New-York tribune., 1913-11-15

financially to complete his contract
within the time limit, beyond which he
vould have to pay damages which
would eat away his profit, or even make
a loss for him on the whole contract.
In view of this explanation Of Hulls,
coupled with the definite threat IN
Syracuse, the grand jury is anxious TO
ascertain whether c. Gordon Reel
state Superintendent of Highways, was
present at the conference which Hen
messy charges was held in Governor
Dixs office early in the 1911 campaign
before the demand for $3.50 "contriou-
ton" was made upon Hull.
Others Were "Sandbaesed."
HulI's story assumes even larger pro-
portions in the campaign fund graft
inquiry when the details which he went
into are set forth. The Cortland
County contractor said that when he
went to Kelley's office. in Syracuse,
there were six or seven other road con-
tractors there. 1t was Tuesday morn
ing, October 31S 1911. and the contrac-
tors were seated in Kelley's outer office,
each waiting stolidly for his turn to
submit himself to the blackjack" One
after another they were summoned to
the inner office, where Fowler talked to
each man privately. Hull sent his
check for $3.50 to Norman E. Mack that
same Tuesday.
His contract for a stretch OF road
construction between Truxton and De
Ruyters, in Cortland County, had been
awarded to him at a figure of S23,0OO,
in June, 1911. In october he was just
about ready to apply for an inspection
to enable him to get 90 per cent pay
ment on a part Of the road work that
he had finished. His work was passed
and he had no trouble.
Hulrs check for $3.50 to the order Of
Norman Z. Mack, was drawn on the
National Bank Of Cortland. under date
of October 81, 1911. 1t was Endorsed
by Mack to Arthur A. Mclean. who
had deposited it in the Fourth Ma
tional Bank, Of New York City, where
he kept his treasurer's account. It
went through the Clearing House, and
found its way back to Hull in Cort-
land, through the New York State Ma
tional Bank of Albany, which insti-
tuition it went through on November 4.
1911.
Keney's first letter to Hull, dated
October q, 1911, and written on the
n stationery Of the Democratic General
E} Committee Of Onondaga County, sur
" mounted by the familiar "black STAR
Of Tammany, followed preliminary
notifications to Hull by word Of mouth
as to the general nature of the con-
ference of which the latter spoke.
In the letter Kelley wrote: Matters
of importance come up at this time
and 1 wish you would meet with Mr.
Everett Fowler, Of Albany, and myself
at 10 o'clock Sunday morning, Octo.
ber %, at Room 403, Kirk Building
Kindly arrange to attend this meet.
ing. and oblige." 1t was signed will.
lam H. Kelley, State Committeeman. :
Hull, like the other recalcitrant "con.
tributors," whom he met in Keley's
office the following Tuesday, failed tc
report for the slaughter that Sunday
morning, and he received a carbon
copy letter, dated October 20. 1911
Monday. The second letter read:
'Mr. Fowler. of Albany, was here TO-
day expecting to meet you as per our
letter sent out from here some three
days ago. He was very much disap.
pointed but will return here at Room
No. 217, Kirk Building, on Tuesda,
morning, october 81. at 8 o'clck, wher
he expects to see YOU" This letter wa,
apparently signed by a clerk in Kelley,
Office. who appended to the circula,
letter he sent out simply "W. H
Kelley"
Room No. 403. Kirk Building Hull
explained. was private room engaged
for the Sunday meeting with the con.
tractors. and Room No. 217, in which
he met Fowler on Tuesday, was the
regular headquarters Of the Onondags
County Democratic General Committee
Of which Kelley was executive member
Acknowledged the Check.
The last exhibit in Hulrs case wa.
McLean's acknowledgement. dated No.
vember 2, 1911. from the headquarters
of the Democratic State Committee
No. West 34th street. New York, say.
ing: "I beg to acknowledge receipt OF
your check for $3.50 as a contribution
toward the legitimate expenses OF the
Democratic State Committee for the
pending campaign. Thanking you fol-
your interest in this matter, remain
So complete was HulPs documentary
evidence, coupled with his oral ex-
planation of the surrounding circum-
stances. that the grand jury called only
one other witness, Roderick b. Fischer
one Of the receiving tellers Of the
Fourth National Bank, who identified
the check and his banks stamping
upon It.
Hull left In District Attorney Whit
mans hands another check for $100
dated october 81, 1912, and made out
10 the order of Arthur A. Mclean.