New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-11-16
FOWLER IS WILLING TO
TELL WHITMAN ALL
KINGSTON Man, Indicted as
Tammany "Bagman," Ready
to Confess.
INQUIRE FRIGHTENED HIM
County Prosecutor Figures That
According to New Evidence a
Group of Six Was Involved
in Graft Collections.

Everett p. Fowler, the Kingston law
Yer indicted for alleged eXtortlon OF
cash from barge canal and state hlgh-
way contractors to fill the coifers OF
the Democratic State Committee. IS
willing to make full confession DIS
trict Attorney Whitman obtained prac-
teal assurance of this from Fowler
LAWYER after a long conference at the
attorneys home in Madison avenue
yesterday.
AS result of the talk Mr.. Whitman
is satisfied that Fowler was only one
of a group of "bagmen' who "shook
down, the state contractors. There are
at least six of them against whom the
finger of evidence points clearly. All
that is lacking in the way OF corrooora-
ton is the sworn testimony of Fowler
and District Attorney whitman Is
fairly confident Of that.
Mr.. Whitman learned yesterday that
the "bagmen" held at least one meet
ing in New York City. which brings the
graft trail nearer to its terminal mo-
raine" than it has ever approached be-
fore.
Reels Name in Limelieht.
All through the preliminary reveia-
lions made by Fowler through ms
counsel. runs the name Of c. Gordon
Reel. former Superintendent Of High
WAYS. who was succeeded by Governor
Suffers commission. Enough corroo-
grafton was obtained yesterday to prove
conclusively that conspiracy obtained
among the bagmen, and indictments
charging grand larceny are already IN
sight
Fowler made overtures to Mr.. Whlt-
man early yesterday morning. lie
reached the city late Friday night ana
lost no time getting the District AT
torney on the telephone. He said he
wanted TO meet the District Attorney
secretly, either at his house, the Bar
Association or anywhere Mr.. Whitman
might suggest. Mr.. Whitman at once
asked who Fowlers lawyer was. Fowler
said he was represented by d. a. Cum
ningham, District Attorney OF ulster
County, a Republican. He explained
that Cunningham appeared as his per-
sonal adviser only.
The significance of Fowler's choice
of counsel is interesting from the fact
that Mr.. Whitman is well acquainted
with Mr.. Cunningham, and made cam
paign speeches for him in Ulster
County which materially aided his cleo
ton. Cunningham was a candidate Tor
State Controller in the Republican
State Convention in 1917. Mr. WHIT
man told Fowler that he wanted 10
talk with Cunningham. Fowler re-
NAMED in his hotel and Cunningham
went to see Mr.. Whitman.
Fowlers nervousness began when
1 George II. Mcclure, of Syracuse, broke
down during the John Doe investiga-
ton and admitted he sent the famous
M" telegram to John A. Hennessy
When his indictment became a matter
of hours Fowler went to three or four
influential friends in Kingston for ad-
vice. All advised him to see Mr.. Whit
man at once.
Fowler had made up his mind to &c
as they advised last Tuesday. Then NJ
changed his mind. One OF the Things
that Mr.. Whitman will want TO know
if Fowler visits his Office in the Grim
inal Courts Building tomorrow morn
ing will be who caused Fowler tc
change his mind.
The District Attorney made It plair
TO Cunningham at the outset that two
courses lay open TO Fowler. Either ne
could come down to the Crimina
Courts Building and go before Judge
Grain, in General Sessions, for arraign'
nent or he could take the elevator w