New-York tribune., 1915-03-24
Induce Sullivan to Dis
avow Accusing Legis-
lators of WrOngdOing.
HAMILTON FISH, JR.,
REFUSES TO YIELD
ReneWs Accusations and Dares
the Assembly to Order an
Investigation.
From . s,.r Correspondent, Of II" Tribune J

Albany, March 2S. There will be no
investigation Of the charges made Dy
Assemblymen sullivan and Fish re-
garding the career of the workmen
compensation bill, although Fish to-
dav dared the Assembly TO lnvestl-
gate his charges. He refused to make
a retraction. although Sullivan m0lll-
fed the legislators by saying on the
floor of the Assembly that lie had NOT
meant TO insinuate that members OF
either house were connected with what
he had called sinister and corrupt IN
huences."
Every shade of Republican. from the
highest in the state down. has eNerted
every conceivable sort of influence TO
mufie the investigation, and this IS
also true of the Democrats. lhelr
combined efforts have been SUCCESSFUL
but the charges remain.
As soon as Sullivan had finished MS
statement. Hamilton Fish, jrr jumped
up and exclaimed:
Il do not retract the charges | made
that men interested in casualty com.
NAMES brought about the passage or
the direct settlement bill. ! take noth-
ing back. | welcome an investigation.
| demand an investigation. | DO not
retract one single word ! said.
Mr. Fish declared he was willing 10
nresent mis- proof to an investigating
committee. and Assemblyman stem
berg. Of New York. who, with Mr.. Flsh'
forms the Progressive delegation IN
tho Assembly, will introduce resolu..
ton tomorrow for the appointment OF
An Assembly committee 10 investigate
the charges.
Mr. Fish said he did not want any
douht 10 exist in the minds Of the As
semblymcn as to Just what he did say
last Thursday night. and he read TINS
extract from his speech az that time;
The Republican party here repre-
sented is acting upon this bill IN ne
half Of several men who get retalners
from casualty companies and who pull
down the levers that operate things
here at Albany. You are acting LOT
one or two men in the employ OF the
insurance companies
After the member from Putnam had
read a letter from Theodore Roosevelt
commencing him on his stand on the
compensation bill. Speaker Sweet, IN a
voice that plainly showed his anger
declared that if Mr.. Fish had any evl-
dence of any one in the Assembly
being approached improperly to secure
his vote he should present 1t on the
floor of the Assembly.
81 am willing TO 90 before any IN
vestigating committee to prove my
statements" was Mr. Fish's reply.
"If YOU know of any bribery OF mem
hers Of the Assembly" said Speaker
Sweet, 81 call upon you now to give the
names of the guilty men. ~,
81 refuse retorted Mr.. FISH. y
do not recognize the right Of the char
to question me on this or any other
matter" -,
~ insist that the House has the
right 10 know" said the Speaker:
az am willing 10 60 before an inves,,
tiCsting committee of this house and
present the names and connections in
my possession. | fatty refuse to do SO
here" was the answer.
"The house is an investigating com
rittce Of the whole" declared Speak
or Sweet. "and | call for the gentle
mans proof Of bribery
81 will make no charges OF bribery
here on this floor. ] call for an IN
vestigating committee" replied Fish.
When reminded of his constitutional
right 10 be questioned concerning
statements he made on the floor OF the
IIousb only at an Assembly session
Nh. Fish replied that he would waive
his constitutional rights.