The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-26
0'GORMAN
HAS KEY TO GRAFT
ON NEW YORK BONDS
Senator May Confirm Sworn
Testimony of Ex-Governor
Sulzer in Highway and
Waterway Contracts Probe.
'Men of Influence" With Polit-
ical Leaders Sought Favor
of Commissioner Foley That
Contractors Who Never Saw
Contract Might Fatten Wad.

NEW YORK Jan. 25.---The pros
pect that United States Senator James
A. O'Gorman may confirm the sworn
testimony Of former Governor Weliam
Sulzer with respect to the attempt
to extort $4,000 from James c.
Stewart Is the most significant fea-
ture to date of the investigation of
highway barge, canal and aqueduct
contracts.
1t appears 70 those who have fol-
lowed the inquiry carefully that the
senator holds the key to the entire
situation The assertion that they have
scratched the surface makes more
significant the impending testimony OF
the senator.
The decision of the people of the
State to build the barge canal at a
cost of SOL 900. 900. New York city s
necessity forcing her TO the expendi-
ture of $751; 100000 Cor the Catskill
aqueduct, the authorization OF "a bond
issue of $50.00o.000 for the construc-
ton and repair Of the highways
these were the circumstances that
fred the ambitions of those whose
eyes were peeled for public plumber.
The gigantic swindle was already we'll
advanced when another bond issue of
$50, 100000 was put through to feed
the eager grafters.
Almost at the start of the John Doe
inquiry in this city the fact was
brought out that the Democratic or
ganization campaigned as earnestly
for the passage of the second $780,
900. 900 referendum as 1t did for con-
troll of political Offices. The two things
were necessary for the perfection Of
the scheme.
Fat Contractors Helped.
Contractors who had waxed fat on
the first issue were perfectly willing
in many cases to help along the sec
ond. Those who were not were calm
iy warned that unless they contrib
uted they need expect no work
Hundreds OF men who had never in
their lives seen a contract became
contractors. Corporations were form
ed everywhere, a great many OF them
Of such fimsy financial texture they
broke down under their responsible
ties to the State and their obligations
to the political organization. They
were made to feel these obligations.
They contributed in order to get con-
tracts.
Contractor after contractor has
sworn that county committeeman.
county chairmen. senator's, assembly
men. men of influence" with the po-
litical chieftains were importuned
with words ana biilS 10 get the IdNor
Of Deputy Commissioner Charles r.
Foley. the man who apparently had
absolute authority in giving out re-
pair contracts.
On that phase of the swindle which
included the holding up of 'contrac-
tors already at work the district at
torney has obtained definite results.
Brfbed an Ofiicial.
Contractors have testified that they
did not only contribute in the hope
that their final payments would be au-
thorized by the officials of the high
ways department, but also one man,
Madison r. Aldrich. has sworn that he
bribed an Official In the department.
Contractors who would make no con-
tributions have testified that their Anal
payments were held up for months and
Continued on Second page.)