The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1913-12-02
ildrich Declares at Graft In
ouiry Tribute Was
Forced.
.GO. BETWEEN" FORGETS
polIard of Albany Refuses to
Waive immunity When
Called.

Madison Il Aldrich OF Poughkeepsie'
president Of the Bridgeport CONSTRUCTION
Corrany. testified yesterday in the John
Doe .n,estigation that he had paid $1,000
~ a hribc He said he paid the money
% ce, his anai estimate. on road con-
.-ac, uassed and that the arrangement
was made in the hall outside the office
" STATE Engineer John A. RenseL
The money was paid. he said. to Thomas
uasset,. the confidential agent OF the
state Engineer. The money passed in the
xev York city apartment OF Hassett and
m the presence OF two other men. who
these men were was not disclosed Mr
Aldrich was not asked who they were.
They will he called as witnesses.
Mr. Aldrich was found by John \. Hem
messy on a recent visit to Albany Mr.
Hennessy announced last week that the
testimony Of this witness would involve
= former State official who is not now in
his country Hassett recently went 10
Santo Domingo with Major J. NJ Haml-
ton Of Kingston. Major Hamilton re-
tirned yesterday by the Porto Rican liner
Brazos Hassett was not with him.
The greatest secrecy was maintained as
to Just what MIR. Aldrich would have TO
say when he took the stand His very
name was shielded until just before he
entered the court room.
The payment Mr.. Aldrich says was
made in cash.
First Open Charge 81 Bribery.
I, was the first time bribery had been
oprnlv charged IN these proceedings.
Nj Aldrich testified that the man who
Interested himself in getting the contrac-
'rrs final estimates passed and who told
IN 10 see Hasseit was John f. Consalus
u' Troy Mr.. Consalus. according to John
\ Hennessy went to Mr. Hennessy with
story o; graft in the Highways Depart
'nent that he wanted to tell He wanted
q, testify before Mr.. Hennessy when the
lAt;er was a Commissioner under the More
and law Mr.. Hennessy wouldn't let him
necause that would have rendered Con.
salus immune in any future proceeding
NJ Consaus did no, display yesterday
amy OF the willingness TO testify which
NJ Hennessy had attributed TO him He
had signed waiver OF immunity and on
me witness stand was beset by loss Of
memory He remembered that he was
Interested in Mr. Aldrich. that he spoke
% Deputy Highway Commissioner Charles
4 Foley IN his behalf. but he could not
rs,ne nuer the meeting In Albany after
Nhch he took Mr., Aldrich TO his home
'p' The u!El.
lie could no, remember that he sug
ses,el thu. MIR, Aldrlch see Hassett. He
couldn't remember the contractors whose
names he gave to Everett Fowler, but
h. admitted that Fowler showed him a
DId some COIlectins.
He said he had done some collecting
nself. but couldn't recall from whom
ard NJ maintained that it wasn't collect
ns when the contractor came to his Office
and handed over his contribution
The Supreme Court Grand Jury which
Vas sworn in yesterday by Justice Da-
We was carefully selected. District At
'oruey Whitman questioned every man
'a'led az TO whether or not he had any
affiliations with highway and canal con-
tractors
Nr Aldrich was the first witness called
UreN Chief Magistrate McAdoo resumed
his hearing He said he had been vice.
resident OF the General Construction
'ompany and then became president Of
ne Bridgeport Construction Company.
Ths company took over the contracts
- us predecessor and among them that
'1r The construction OF road from
Hudson to Livingston, a contract involving
aoo4' 100000.
I'm answer to questions the witness
>" that up to November. 1871. he had
nNsn paid for work done on this contract
''A he exception OF about $l.70O. The
ao'N vas finished in November and he
Immediately made demand for final
PAYMENT His estimates did not come back
h7n Albany. however. despite the fact
MAJ during December January, February
"'a ne first part OF March he made
'S"nl! applications. He was finally paid
'' March IS. and when asked to describe
''a' preceded the payment he said:
returned TO Poughkeepsie after one
" my trips TO Albany and was told by
'' s'"nographer that ! had been called
nm The long distance telephone. called
''b mo number she gave me and John
T. 'onsalus answered the call know
N'0' and his voice well
Asked 4" Return tO AIbsny.
NJ asked me 70 return "a Albany that
'VsN ! reached there AT o'clock and
INT 70 kcclcrs Hotel. There | met
NJ Thomas IIassett and "a man namsA
Neville ! knew Iassett Az The conf,den.