Evening star., 1914-01-22
Senator O'Gorman Also May
Be Called as a Witness in
Graft Inquiry.
EX-GOVERNOR ALLEGES
STATEWIDE CORRUPTION
Tells of Murphy's Declaration of
War" on Account of Gaff-
ney's Rejection.

NEW YORK. January 2::.-Willam Sui
zers story of graft, graft. graft every
where" as sketched by him at the John
Doe inquiry yesterday assumed the
grand jury phase today. He swore yes
terday that United States Senator OGor-
man described James E. Gaffney as Muir
phys chief bagman'' who tried to hold
up my friend Stewart for 100000
The ex-governor was invited TO go
over these charges in more detail before
the jury Later it was thought Senator
O'Gorman might be called
The evidence given by Sulzer speaks
for ITSELF. said District Attorney Whit
man today. 1T was given under oath,
and should be judged accordingly.
will not comment upon it. but the pub
lie may rest assured that if a crime has
been committed in this county shall
do my duty, no matter who the Of
fender may be-"
The Stewart mentioned is James
Stewart, state highway contractor
Carney is a prominent politician, con-
tractor and business associate of the
leader of Tammany Hall. On the stand
Sulzer said Senator OGorman had said
to him: Don't YOU know Gaffney is the
man that held up my client, James f.
Stewart. for over 100000. and he could
have got away with it if Stewart had
not come to me, and went to Murphy
and 1 read the riot act, telling him
would not stand for that kind of
politics.
Tells of Murphy's Threats.
Sv,I1
which led to his (Sulzer's) Impeachment.
describing Murphy's alleged threats to
wreck his administration If Gaffney were
not appointed state commissioner of
highways.
Senator O'Gorman declined to make
any comment on the testimony given by
ex-Gov. Sulzer.
The senator wishes to refrain from
making any statement at present. be-
cause he may be called upon later to ap-
pear in the proceedings" his secretary
said. He has read the newspaper ac-
counts of Mr.. Suffers testimony. but he
wishes time to inspect the official min
utes.''
Held Up So, ,ooo, 900 Contract.
Sulxers testimony was his first sworn
statement of charges he has made against
Murphy, and in many particulars he
added to and elaborated them.
Sulzer was called to explain why as
governor-elect, he hadSent a telegram to
the state canal board requesting it to de.
fer action in the matter of a three-mil
lion-dollar canal contract upon which
Stewart was lowest bidder. Stewart, who
failed to get the contract, testified at
previous hearing that man named Gaff-
had Ska i'm a contribution
per cent of the contract.
Sulzer said yesterday that he had sent
the telegram because he had been told by
George II. Mcclure Of Syracuse, that
there was danger that Stewards bids
would be thrown out. and that this would
be a great injustice to Stewart and the
state of New York.
to defer action In the matter Murphy
summoned him, Sulzer said, and told him
that he was "butting in where he didn't
belong" and that he was mot beginning
right as governor.
When Sulzer resented this and told the
Tammany chief that he intended to be
his own governor he swore that Muir
ply replied:
Like hi you will. I'll see where
you'll end up id quick"
First Clash With Murphy.
1hlS interview, SulZer lnQlcdteQ, marx
ed his first clash with Murphy.
Sulzer said that he saw Murphy, the
day after President Wilson's inaugura-
ton, at Senator OGorman's house in
Washington.
There were several other democrats
there he said, "and / listened to what
they had to say. When I went out of
the room Murphy followed me into the
corridor and said he wanted me to stay
over until the next day. I told him 7
had to get back to New York Then
again he importuned me to appoint Gaff-
ney. He said If 1 would do that l could
have my own way. He said that Calf
ney knew what to do and that 1t was an
organization matter. I told him that I
would refuse to appoint him. Then he
said, It's Gaffney or war -
"If anybody should ask you" smiled
the former governor. 'ft has been war
l told him that the appointee should be
man like Caesars wife, above sus-
picion. Mr.. Murphy pooh-poohed that
and said 1t was an organization matter
Did you say to Mr.. Murphy" asked
Mr.. Whitman, that Gaffney was
CRATER; s1;,; c0llectorA basman or black
Wanted to Be Diplomatic.
No replied the witness. II didn't say
these things. ] was trying to get along
with him as best 1 could I wanted to
be diplomatic. l knew his power Then
he said III Won don't fo what I toll yo,,