The Hartford republican., 1913-12-19
were HELD Up
FOR CAMPAIGN
Wanted To Keep In Strong
With Democratic Officials
Contractors Testify In John Doe
Graft Probe To Demands
For Doodle.

New York, Dec. 12.-James E. Floo
and John b. Davis, president an,
treasurer, respectively, of the Floo
& Van Writ Engineering & Construc
tion Company, of Hudson Falls, N
Y, testified to-day at District At
torney Whitman's John Doe inquir,
into State highway graft that thei
corporation had given $4,000 to tn
Democratic State Committee becaus
they feared that contracts the con
cern had with the State hiehwa,
Commission and the Canal Boart
would be he'd up.
The Commissioner Of Highways
who was then C. Gordon Reel, and
the Superintendent Of Public Works
Duncan w. Peck, we're described
by Davis as the "high court at AL.
bany."
Il suppose" said Davis, that we
contributed because we believed they
would stall US. 1t was we'll enough to
have friend at court"
Flood and Davis were called to
supplement the previous testimony
of Dudley E. Van Writ, vice presi-
dent of the concern, that at the
solicitation of Everett p. Fowler, the
alleged "Tammany .bagman," he sent
two contributions of $500 each and
one of $1,000 to the Democratic
State Committee and enc of $500
at the request of William J. Nor
rissey. Deputy Superintendent of Pub
lie Works.
Davis said Van Writ had. told him
that Morrissey, who had supervision
over the company's $220. 900 canal con
tract had advised" him to make the
had advised" him to make the
81 500 contribution. This was in Oc-
tober, 1912 a week or two after the
$4,000 contribution. which Van Writ
described as his '.limit" when Fow-
Ter asked him for $500.
Didn't Van Writ tell you," ask
ed District Attorney. Whitman. "that
had urged him to come up
with the rest Of that $780,"
"He said that Morrissey had ad-
vised him to contribute repeated
the witness.
but you regarded 1t as de-
mand. didn't your"
Yes" was the reply.
"Why did you give up the $2,000?'
ITO keep in strong with the par
ties over us-the Democratic State
"You no; sht the Democratic State
Commit ,o,..i control these two
men?"
"Yes." -
Flood gave similar testimony. He
aded:
ivan Writ thought it was good
business policy. We were afraid>that
,ur estimates would be held up"
Both. Davis and Flood are expected
% appear before the grand jury next
week.
Several other road builders also
estified to-day that they gave con-
ributions In connection with their
contracts. John G. Bradley, OF Corn
ng told. of having been asked by
Terry Lynch. of Glens Falls. to give
rs. 900 to the Democratic State Com
nittee in, 1908 while Frederick Skene
vas state engineer. Bradley was cal'-
d to supplement testimony of other
Witnesses that the system OF calling
N contractors for campaign contri-
utions was inaugurated during Skene
administration. Bradley said there
,as $1,000 still unpaid on his$50.000
ontract when Lynch asked for the
Lynch accepted $1,000
o said. and soon afterward he got
is final payment. !
Tracey Farley. OF Birmingham said
Q had given $500 In 1912. but had
OF been sOlicited for it. He con-
eded however that the fact that te
ad State contract had influenced
I'm In making the contribution.
ChAples s. Rauber. of Rochester. OF
Vhitnlore. Raubsr Z vicinus. In
Drporated with State contractors val
ed at 100000. told Of havins con- !
ributed 1880 In 1912 At the solicita-
on Of Fowler. The wimsss also
I'D that afer having been told In
pos that he was 10 be Depocratic 1
residential elictor. ne was called upon