New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-01
WHITMAN ON TRAIL
OF CRAFT UPSTATE
Goes to Buffalo to Talk
with "Fingey" Corners
and Other Politicians.
SENDS INFORMATION
INTO EVERY COUNTY
Resumes McAdOO Probe Before
Giving Stewart Another Chance
to Know Gaffney.

After the failure Of James &. stewart TO
identify James T.. Gaffney as the man
who attempted to extort $4,000 on two
State Canal Board contracts, District At
tornev Whitman turned attention TO such
information as he had which may be OF
use TO district attorneys Of northern coun-
ties
Valuable information was given to prac-
tically every county in which state high
way or canal contract could be fulfilled'
The opportunity came TO Mr.. whitman
through the annual meeting Of the Bar
Association of the state. which was at
tended by the men who would nave
charge OF the prosecution In their respec-
tive counties.
Part OF this information. il was learned,
was obtained with the assistance OF TWEEN
ty-seven upstate bankers In answering the
subppnas served on them several days ago
calling for transcripts OF the accounts OF
James f.. Gaffney and Charles f. Murphy
These answers came principally from
Albany and Buffalo, and it is known that
at least ten Of the replies TO the court
orders contained iHloi Hid'''h
which the District Attorney would nave
been much hampered in his prosecution OF
the graft charges.
Mr.. Whitman last night was in bnl-
falo, and was not expected to return 10
this city until tonight.
He went there ostensibly to attend
banquet of the Buffalo Chamber OF Com-
merce. but, in addition 1t was saiu' ne
would meet several men whose names
have been or would he brought In con-
nection with the stories OF state-"i"e
graft.
Among these is "Fingy" William j.
Corners. formerly Democratic chairman
whose suit for 100000 damages for libel
against Golfers Weekly" was recently
dropped.
Stewart. whose failure To identity the
Tammany lieutenant formed the anu
climax to the District Attorneys case
will he given another opportunity TO re-
fresh" his memory. 1t was suggested
that the seriousness Of the case and the
importance OF his words had so pressed
on his m nd that he was on the verge oil
collapse before the grand jury.
Before Stewart is given another chance
however. the John Doe charges VIII be
continued before Chief Magistrate Nc
Adoo tomorrow. Just what new material
he has The District Attorney would not
disclose, but il WAS said authoritatlvelS
that further corroboratlon Of graft in
letting stat contracts would be disclosed
Senator O'Gorman will be a witness
before the grand jury this week In re-
gard To the charges against Carney. AS
told in The Tribune when Whitman sub
punaed his bank accounts, his story VIII
substantiate the account of his client
Stewart. of visit by Gaffney for the
Sl35oOc.
1t was three months yesterday since
the beginning OF the inquiry by the Dis
trict Attorney into the canal and high
way graft charges In that time III wit
nesses have appeared in the John Doe in
quiry, sixty have testified before the
grand Jury and six indictments have been
found.
one conviction. that of Edward Nc
Lean, who pleaded guilty, has been OBJ
tanned The others indicted were Ever
EFT p. Fowler. the "bagman'; Thomas
Hassett. secretary ana confidential ad-
wiser" to John r. Bensel. and James n.
Mcclure.
The testimony in the three months has
shown that of sSS 955 contributions to the
campaign funds. only $500 was reported
to the Secretary Of state, in the years OF
1911 and 1912 II was charged in the two
investigations that graft totallfng $500
had been paid or demanded.