New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-27
Would Testify Where Other Wit
nesses Did and Under Like
Circumstances, but Would
Do Nothing That Might !
Be Insanity Admission. :
ANHUT SAYS HE GOT $4,000
Where Do Come In?" Il Would
Not Do Anything for Thaw Unless !
! lot Money for It"-State-
rnents Attributed to DR..
Russell by the Lawyer.
I By Telegraph TO The Tribune. |

NuccCu Wy tuc LAWFUL.
by Telegraph to The Tribune .s
Albany, Feb. 26.--With an imposing;
array of counsel and stenographeru..
Governor Suffers department invests
eating commission went from here to-.
Matteawan this afternoon TO examine
Harry H. Thaw about an alleged at
tempt Of John Nicholson Anllut to-
brihe DIR. John W. Russell, superin.
tendent Of the Hospital for the Crimi-
nal Insane, to release Thaw for $4,000.
Half an hour after reaching MatteaYan.
the investigators and their train ofs
attendants headed down the hill again
Thaw, in the most courteous manueui
refused TO answer a single questiofNl
With never a trace Of a smile, he ind
sisted that he had been advised not tn}
same conditions, In the Same ROOM
even. as those under which other wit>
neeses before the commission had tes.
tlned.
Thaw apologizcd for 'incommodirS~1
the investigators, but held his groundl
He evidently was trying 10 make the
point that II he gave testimony 1T the
hospital II would be an adm sston ID
insanity on his part.
Investigators Helpless.
The investigators, after whispered
consultation, announced through Chair,
man Carlisle and their counsel that
under the circumstances they could do
nothing. There was no use in goin8t
through the motions OF making Thaw,
contumacious and trying to get him,
punished for contempt, as he was ALL
ready under restraint. He had the
whip hand and the Sulzer investigators
withdrew, not whit wiser as to the
alleged conspiracy than when they en-
tered the institution.
The sole stock Of information they
acquired was that Thaw was n well
dressed. well set-up young man, witt,
q low voice, excellent enunciation and
a fixed expression.
The investigators had g. long talk
with the Governor tonight and made
a report TO him OF their frlitless search
for information from Thaw. The Gov
ernor was not pleased at the situation.
1t was decided officially TO do nothing
more about Thaw's personal testimony.
Also it isn't likely that the commits
sion will do much more about the.
bribery charges and the original as.
sertion that William F.. Clark. the.
former secretary Of the commission
was using the Governors name i'm.
properly to obtain Thaw's release. Tho
Investigators will hear Alfred Henry
Lewis's explanation OF how he was in
volved with Clark. 1t has tried to sub
Dental agent, who hired Anhut, the
alleged offerer OF the bribe to DR.. RUS
sell, but Hoffman is among the missing.
Drastic action is expected to be
recommended by the commission. Re-
ports are afioat tonight that as re-
suit of their Investigations an arrest
or two may be expected soon.
Thaw's Statement Confused.
Thaw, dressed in a neat fitting, dark
gray suit and solemn in his demeanor.
was brought into the chapel OF the in
stitution to answer a series Of ques-
tions prepared by John T. NortoI,
counsel TO the commission. He was
not sworn. AS soon as he had given
his name. Thaw. without waiting for
further questions, attempted to explain
his position. His statement was con-
fused, and Mr.. Norton requested him
to repeat II.
Il mean" he said. that have been
advised not to answer any questions
unless 1t is In the same room in which
the other witnesses appeared. so that
there shall be no distinction apparent"
"Well, there are no other witnesses to.
be examined here" explained Mr.. Nor.
ton.
mo; consequently, I have been ad-
vised to answer no questions here.
have been advised that should answer
questions under the same circum-
stances as other witnesses and with no
pretence Of insanity. l regret to in
commode you in any way. but ! de-
cline by advice"
well, Of course, Mr.. Thaw. this COM
mittee, appointed by the Governor. has
the power to take your testimony. BY
refusing to answer the questions that
this committee desires to put to you
YOU put yourself in defiance Of ths
authority OF the law which gives the
commission power to act. Do you de-
sire to take that position
That is a matter Of great regret ts