New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-02
GRAFT HUNT BALKED
BY CLYNN, HE SAYS
Hennessy Calls Governor
Greatest of "POlitiCal
Shadow Dancers"
HELD BACK DATA
MEANT FOR INQUIRY
Former Investigator Replies to
Defence Of Executive by
Osborne.

Osborne.
James W. Osborne. Governor Glynn's
graft investigator. replied yesterday TO
John A. Hennessy's charges that Gov
ernor Gyms procrastnation IN the high
WAYS investigation last fall was costly to
the taxpayers Mr. Osborne said the Gov
ernor turned over everything 10 him that
Mr. Hennessv had put before the Gov
eruor relating to highways.
The Governors position. contrasted
with his statements as 10 what he would
and Will do suggests TO me that ne is the
best. II not the most successful political
shadow dancer that we have ever had"
said Mr.. Hennessy last night, when shown
Mr.. Osborne's defence of Glynn and the
Governors own statement. made last night
AT the Vanderbilt Hotel.
II turned over to Mr. Osborne every
document tha; Alr Hennessy gave to me.
and Mr.. Osborne used in his investiga
ton the very men whom Mr. Hennessv
named as his assistants and his discov-
erers Of evidence" said the Governor.
II can't see how Governor Glynn is re-
sponsible for this situation" said Mr. Os-
borne after reading the testimony OF Hen
messy before the Assembly graft inyesti
eating committee at the City Hail on Sat
urday Soon after the matter was called
10 his attention ! was appointed commits
sioner and ! got everything that Hen
messy had turned over TO the Governor.
AS I remember il. Hennessy's findings
were contained in about thirteen reports.
| He also had a brief statement regarding
some contracts on the barge canal. 7 I'm
nediately investigated every single one
OF the matters referring 10 the highways
that were given 10 the Governor by Mr.
Hennessy."
81 sent 10 the Governor on October "a
or II communication which was for his
own general Information IN respect OF the
/ highway frauds. and which was really the
meat NJ the situation. The Governor never
turned that over TO M. Osborne" Mr.
Hennessy responded II sent to the Gov
ernor another communication which he
| has not Enclosed 10 Mr. Osborne. OF
course, 7 don't say that there was any
| bad faith in this, but 10 keep the record
straight II IS well 10 have the facts as
/ they are.
| rnent OF my letters. In my letters I sua-
gested 10 Mr.. Glynn how he could get
more information In respect OF highway
| frauds. | did that because the Governor
/ had said he wanted to 60 all the way.
| The Governor never accepted any Of nv
| suggestions and never sent them to Mr..
| Osborne
| The Governor cannot say that ne did
! not know what ought 10 be done. because
! put that IN writing. and Mr. Osborne
never knew what could be done becsuee
| the Governor did not tell him. The time
| 10 discover the remainder of the highway
frauds was when Mr.. Gynn took ONCE.
but from that day 10 this day ne has not
done anything. although he promised the
! people in an official statement that he
would force economy and cut out craft
| lie has done nothing 10 Lessen the fax
! budget and he has permitted persons of
| bad repute 10 he appointed 10 useless
Offices"
When II was suggested 10 Mr. Osborne
that Hennessy's complaint was that Ger
tain accommodations Of his were ig-
nored, which. II followed. would have
I NNri.f'' S'"'t vi Nhe nIgHWdyS, ne Sdi0 {.
II nave no recollection of any recon-
mendations being made As far as I
recollect they were only statements re-
earding specific instances OF bad CON
/ structlOne ! believe that the investiga-
ton has. 10 4 large extent. for the pres
en'. stopped the graft though. in my
judgment the system still exists and un-
| al the department Is taken out OF poll
| ties II VIII continue 10 exist. but. as far
az the duty given 10 me By the Governor
| 7 investigated II as far as possibly
could.
Governor Gym did not interfere with
me in the least degree I'm this investiga-
| ton. ] went as far as ! possibly could
| Az a result Of my nvestgation ] sent a
great number Of men 20 the grand juries
] recommended that The case Of the heads
Of tho Highway Department. Mr. Reel
Mr. Peck and Mr. Bensel. be Investigated
by the grand jury"
Mr. Osborne said n would be impos
! aiblc 20 make q thorough Investigation of
the barge canal unless n larger fund was
provided He said his investigation OF
state printing was scheduled 10 follow
the barge csual inquiry
what about the guilty persons IN
your invcstigatlonT'
"i think that IS q matter for the COun-
fiea II doesn't seem 10 mo that the
state ought 10 be nat 10 the additional
expense Of going ahead II would tako
10000 ~ least 20 make thorough invca-