The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-01
HENNESSY POINTS TO
GLYNN IN GRAFT HUNT
Gives Assembly Committee Let
tiers to Governor limiting
Of Opposition.
SMITH BUSHES SULZER
Ex-Governor Can't Give Details
Of "S9, 900, 900 steal" Of
LOOters in 1912.
SMITH BUSHES SULZER

tnat HNe sQuaus OF INVESTIGATORS, caSH
OF three engineers and stenoe-
rapher. could complete a statewide in
vestigation of highways in two months.
provided they did not have TO go before
grand and petit juries to prosecute cases.
He declared that the whole Job could be
done In from four to six months.
This recommendation was made to the
committee at its first public hearing yes
terday after ex-Gov. Suizer. Mr. Hennessy
him had testified that their investigation
had been superficial AT the best.
This superficial investigation. according
to Mr.. Hennessy. resulted In the holding
up of repair contracts totalling $4,000.
on which the State will save 100000. and
the abrogation OF contracts amounting to
more than half a million dollars.
Letters to Glynn Pat IN Record.
There was read into the record Mr..
Hennessy's letters urging Gov. Glynn TO
continue the highway graft investigation.
the Governors refusal to do 30 unless Mr.
Hennessy brought specific instances. n let
ter from Hennessy and data covering such
Instances and list Of roads now under
construction where the work is not being
done properly. The committee will go
into this phase Of the investigation thor
oughly. Another letter to Gov. Giynn con-
cerning work on the barge canal and the
Matchmaking OF workmen was also put
into the record.
Henry p. Morrison. one OF Mr.. Hen
nessy's engineers, asserted that there
would be no substantial Improvement in
the highway situation until those at the
head Of the State Highways Department
got a higher ideal Of what ought to be
accomplished. A proper expenditure OF
the States money will be obtained. ne
said. only when there Is forced into the
department an efficiency that expresses
itself In better work. the recognition OF
the proper materials for country roads and
the absolute ELIMINATE Of the supple
mental agreement. ..-..
Under the terms OF the resolution au-
thorizng its appointment the committee
must make provisional report 10 the
Assembly not later than next Friday.
The purpose OF the hearing yesterday was
to find out Just how far the investiga; :, ,ns
Of Mr.. Sulzer and Mr.. Hennessy went. jus.
how much they knew about graft In the
Highways Department. and to collate the
material which they have to offer with
that which has already been placed at the
committees disposal by District Attorney
whitman and Commissioner James w
| Osborne.
Two Trunks Full os Data.
! Such testimony as the former Governor
and NJ Iennessy gave yesterday ha,
been given heretofore IN one or more OF
the several graft Investigations or a.
Grand Jury and trial Jury testimony. Mr.
Hennessy still has two trunks full OF data
that have not been digested and prepare,
for the committees use. The data will b,
turned over to Mr.. Clark before wednes
day, when Mr.. Hennessy will sail for Eu
| rope, and will be In such shape tina
Joseph curren. Superintendent OF Mainte
nance and Repairs. will be able to make 4
Ineligible 10 the committee.
Seven members Of the committee wer,
on hand when Chairman John Leo Sulli
van OF Chautauaua county called tn
!
Der In the City Hall. They were Speake
Thaddeus C. Sweet OF Oswego. Frankli,
w. Crstman OF Herkimer. Charles A
Brewster OF Steuben. Alfred T.. Smith O
New York, Michael Schaap OF New Yor
and Alvah w. Burlingame OF Brooklyn.
John X. Clark. counsel to the committee
read the resolution OF the Assembl
which gives the committee power to In
qulre into the highway situation for tn
purpose OF devlsing remedial legislation I
investigate such other state department
as may appeal to the committee.
He said that the committee had al
ready at its disposal 1900 pages OF test
|, mony taken In the John Doe inquiry Il
District Attorney Whitman and $40
pages taken by Commissioner Osborn
He said that there was lacking only tn
results Of the investigation made by NJ
Hennessy at the direction OF Gov. Sulze
sulser IL First witness.
, As the FIRST witness. Mr.. sulser describe
his appointment Of the committee Of II
quiry of which John N. Carlisle W.
/ chairman. his appointment Of Mr.. Hel
I messy as commissioner under the Nor
{ land law. and the subsequent appoln
I ment Of the Advisory. Good Roads Con
: mission. He said the sixty days invest
. CATION by the committee Of Inquiry col
a WINGED him that every department in Il
State was honeycombed with graft"
conclusion that bore out advices receiv,
by him from citizens long before he b
came Governor.
He said his instructions to Mr.. He
messy were to 30 the limit. but that q
n cutting of Of the usual contingent Apr
priation of $4,000. which In the case
GOV Dix had been $4,000. forced hi
to seek aid from private cttisens. spea
" ing Of the contingent fund. no said he .
IA II in the supply bill. but the Tammal
senators, under instructions. cut II out
Mr.. Sulser described Mr.. Hennessy
- work a. remarkable. considering the Ia
~ OF funds and the distractions placed
- his way. Forty roads In twenty-s,
I" counties were investigated and with II
y, 80 exceptions the work on all Of them "
- shown to be fraudulent. The repor
q made by Mr.. Hennessy showed that
~ an average 30 per cent. Of the money y
- Co~stwwsd o. Seventh Pogo