New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-13


the exact measure of the relation which
this same Morrissey bore to the Demo
cratic state Committee.
When $4,000 Was Extracted.
That $500. il had been previously shown
was contributed" in items distributed as
follows: 500 through the solicitation OF
Everett 2. Fowler, October 80. 1911: $50
through Fowler June 10. 1912; 5000 through
Fowler September 80 1912. and sl,5oI
through Morrisscy October %, 1912.
Flood, the president of the corporation
which the "bagmen" found so liberal. ad-
mitted yesterday that he had Endorsed
Van Wirt's Judgment that it was good
business policy" to contribute" because
he feared that il they did not they would
be "harassed and hampered on their
work on state contracts, both on roads
and canal"
Before Flood took the stand the Dis
trict Attorney introduced an Independent
piece Of evidence from the time of the
Frederick Skene administration of the
State Engineers office, through the
medium of John c. Bradley. OF Corning,
a member of the contracting firm of Brad
ley & Nolan. Bradley said that his firm
had about $4,000 worth OF road contracts
under Skene.
During 1908. when Skene was in office,
did Jerry Finck, OF Glens Falls, an
nouncing that he was a representative OF
the Democratic State Committee, tell you
that you were 10 be assessed per cent OF
the amount Of your contract as a cam
paign contribution" asked Whitman.
Yes" Bradley answered, and it was
while I was waiting to have the work
tested and accepted"
In answer TO further questions. Bradley
said that while he was still being held
mp on final payment under his contract,
pending testing and approving. he mac
given Finck a check for $1,000 as a sor-
Of compromise of the per cent demand.
The District Attorney excused Bradley
rather suddenly after that, and it was
said later that the story would he gone
into more extensively at a future session
Of the John Doe inquiry.
Both Flood and Davis, the two repre-
sentatives Of the Flood & Van Writ cor
porati0n, admitted under Wh!tman's urg-
Ing that the large contributions of their
firm 10 the Democratic State Committee
had been made with the idea that ii was
good business to accede TO the Fowler
Morrlsse demands, and that II would be
laying the firm open 10 vexatious and
costly delays in work and payments TO
refuse
Bagmen on Contractors Heels.
Whitman rather concentrated his at
tack on the Morrissey demand for $3.50,
to which Van Writ had testified he &C
ceded after session with Morrissey right
in the office Of the Superintendent Of Pub
lie Works
wed Just got another large contract
the canal contract. for $3lLO0-and so we
were asked for more money was the
way Flood explained it.
lie said that the signature OF the cor
pOrations name on the second 800 check
through Fowler 10 George NJ. Palmer. was
an oversight on Van Wrts part. and that
he had advised Van Writ that as Re
publican, he did not want TO have his
name appearing as a contributor 10 the
Democratic State Committee, and told
him to make any future contributions IN
his personal capacity. and the corpora
ton would reimburse him later
Flood said he had not known at that
time that IL was a crime for corpora
ton to contribute 10 a campaign fund nor
that II was also criminal TO give or ac'
Cept contribution under the name OF
any one but the actual contributor lie
Insisted az first that the conversation be-
tween MOrrissey and Van Writ as to the
additional $500 had consisted OF nothing
more imperative than advice" from Nor
rSsey.
Ny advice TO you is TO come up with
NAT $3.50" is what Morrissey said 10 an
Wit Flood said. but ] feared that u
We didn't come up with it we'd be mar
,sssed and hampered on cur work I've
feard that others We're
tie could not recall who had been sc
hampered or harassed, but he said ne
had heard talk Of it among contractors
Generally.
Then YOU understand now that TINS
{ nan who was a public official was 'ad'
"slng your vice-president to commit
enme?' Whitman asked.
III NithNIcldlu IL UOht iDON '"iNf
4 '"E 1t doesn't seem like such good busl'
hess"
To Make Things Run Smooth.
Sohn 3. Davis. the treasurer OF the
s"od Van Writ corporation. went oVel
1e several contributions" OF the firm
N.fooorating the previous witnesses.
M to the first 500 contribution, through
.'wler, Van Writ told him, Davis said
~ 1t would make things run alont
smoother"
thought II was enough" was Davis''
snent, with the accent on th'
though"
mn on the second $500 contribution. Var
81 A' told him that 1t was the best bust
Il ices policy"
thought II was too much" sait
soeds.
"asn II came to the next contribution