New-York tribune., 1913-07-16
Twofold Promoter.


Twofold Promoter.
Wallace B. Hunter. OF Cohoes. one OF
the Governors prison investigators, VINO
was engaged as commissary expert
but who confessed that his present occu-
patton was running Roman chariot
races at county fairs" was forced 70
own 10 the fact that with MS commis-
sary inquiry al Clinton prison he had
mixed little matter OF taking up a prIs-
oner's inventions.
This admission. which came after Sena-
tor Frawley had produced letter ana
affidavit from No. 6i!@. clinton PRISON
one Louis Dietrich. was in effect that
Hunter had taken the prisoner models
OF five small inventions TO see "hat
could be done with them. DletricA IN
the affidavit asserted that Hunter was 10
get one-half of what he could get for
them. and was. Ia addition. To take u'
with Governor Sulzer the matter OF get
ting a special raro.e for Dietrich. hunt
or admitted that he expected 10 get some
nav for his work I'm placing the inVen-
,ions but declared there had oten no
definite agreement in that respect
Eugene Lamb Richards. counsel TO the
committee. tackled John \. Hennessy'
who was the Governor appointee as leg
islative auditor. with regard 90 Hcnnes-
sv,s various activities and connections
with the state payroll since sulzer became
Governor The inquiry along that line
however was dropped suddenly Wheh
Hennncssv discreditcd every imputation
the committee sought to thrust upon him
Extra $1,000 for Hennessy.
Hcnnessy explained in answer 20 insinu-
aung questions that while executive audi
tor he had been authorized by the trus-
| tees Of public buildings 20 act a. super.
| vising auditor for that body AT an addi-
tional salary Of 1900 year. As eNecu-
tive auditor he got 'i.OJ = year.
Hunter the special investigator Of
prison commssary. proved to be the main
attraction AT the afternoon session. lie
vas evidently surprised when Senator
Frawloy produced a letter from the pris-
oner Dietrick. which set forth that Diet
rick had given TO Hunter his models OF
Inventions Of an automobile wrench, a
fve-tool wrench. scarf protector and q
scarfpin protector He admitted that
D.ctrick had handed over TO him a packet
Of drawings. models and papers. IN which
was included letter TO Governor SulZcr
asking for a special parole.
Dietrlck understood that Hunter was
going TO do what he could with the inyen-
tions ard let him know the result. but. as
ne deposed. he did not hear from the Gov
ernor's investigator, and later IN May
sent word 10 him by a convict who had
been released asking what had been done.
Hunter admitted he met this convict. but
said ne had not had "A chance 10 do any
thing with the inventions and he did not
expect 20 get around TO them for some
time.
Hunter was engaged as an expert In
commissary matters and received ;l50 a
week from the state While he has been
I'm tho restaurant business. he admitted
under the examination OF Mr.. Richards
! that he had been out Of that line recent
Iv. and that he was now engaged In TAX
ing two Roman chariOts' around the
county fairs and similar outings, where
ne raced them for consideration.
Governor Sulzer said afterward that
Hunter WIS selected By Blake. but It was
learned that Hunter as secretary OF an
organization known as the Bryan Democ-
racy. had been active getting out litera-
ture and pamphlets fayoring the Sulzer
direct primary programme. with which he
flooded this and adjacent counties.
The committee. which will meet to-mor-
row morning. instructed Blake 20 be pre-
pared to take the stand az a witness.
Incidentally, District Attorney WING
low Of Westchestcr County and James
W. Osborne. who. with a special grand
fury. have been investigating conditions
at Sing Sing prison. conferred with Gov
ernor Sulzer to-day.