New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-23
WOOD CHARGES
CAUSE AIN UPROAR
Democratic Committee
men Demand Action Be
Taken Immediately.
CHAIRMAN INSISTS
INQUIRY CONTINUE
Herman A. Metz Tells of Offer
of Place on Public Service
Board for $4,000.

Board for S26,O OO.
Unmindful Of the fact that this IL
the season Of peace and goodwill the
Thompson committee last night ad-
journed over Christmas amid bitter
fight among its members over whether
charges should be preferred against
Commissioner Wood Immediately. The
dispute lasted several minutes after
Senator Thompson had hurrledly ad-
iourncd the hearing when all its mem
bers insisted on talking at the same
time.
Senator Thompson started the YER
bal fireworks by sending FOR Commits
sioner Wood and asking him if he
had ever considered the proprieiy OF
mis- sitting as a member Of the com
mission in view of the serious charges
that had been made against him 20 the
investigators. The chairman said he
asked the question at the request OF
Senator Lawson and Assemblyman
Burr. the Brooklyn members of the
committee. who had told him the i'm
portant project Of third tracking the
BROOKLYN az" was before the commits
sion.
Wood meekly said that he could not
answer the question. Assemblyman
Callahan, one o. the Democratic mem
hers of the committee. took up the
cudgels for him by declaring that he
did not think II q fair question 70 ask,
as no charges had been made against
Wood 10 the Governor. Callahan SAID
he dissented from the action of the
chairman and wanted II known that he
did so.
Wood Refuses to Answer.
Senator Lawson broke in long
enough 10 ask Wood whether he
thought he should sit in the deter
mination of so important matter as
the third tracking.
"T don't think il fair" Wood eT lied.
81 refuse 10 answer on the ground
that 1t is not pertinent nor relevant
TO this investigation-the same
grounds that l gave the other day.
Wood left the stand without ofer-
ING sny defence 70 the charges MADE
against him by various witnesses:
He had hardly started for the door
when the dispute between Assembly,
man Callahan and Senator thompson
was renewed. Callahan insisted that
charges should be preferred against
Wood at once.
Senator Thompson insisted that the
investigation had TO proceed, and AS
semblvman Callahan insisted that IL
shouldn't Hot words were bandleo
back and forth. Finally Senator
Thompson said: ,
"This investigation must proceed.
Enough testimony has come before thls
committee 10 show that Wood is abso-
Iutelv unfit TO sit as a member OF the
commission. This testimony was taken
five DAYS ago, and he has never taken
the opportunity TO come Oelore 'his
committee to deny Il"
Callahan kept on insisting that the
committee should prefer charges, ana
was Joined by Senator Foley, also
Democrat.
Told to Do II Themselves.
"Why don't you prefer charges your
selves ." Senator Thompson demanded.
THAT is a right every citizen has
"The charges should be made now;
they ought TO be disposed Of said
Senator Foley.
well" the chairman remarked
rather dryly. "the charges should have
been disposed Of by the Finance Com
mittee Of the Senate when his name
was sent 70 it for confirmation"
But" Senator Foley went on.
Bang. went the chairman's gavel.
"This investigation is adjourned until
next Tuesday, the chairman an
nounced.
That didn't end the squabble. Final
ly every one of the committee began
talking and shouting at once. Then
acme one said he had TO catch d train
and the talkfest stopped.
Former Representative Herman A.
Metz Yesterday told of an offer he had
received Of a place on the Public Ser
vice Commission provided he gave up
$4,000. Mr.. Metz did not go on the
stand. He said the offer was made IN
telephone conversation from Al
bany at the time Commissioner Bas-
sett's term expired.
81 at first thought the matter was a
Joke" Mr.. Metz said, but the fellow
was insisteIt, and ! told him 70 go
where IL was warmer than II was here"
He said ne did not remember the
name of the man making the offer.