New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-20
VOTE AT ALBANY
TO INVESTIGATE
GRAFT CHARGES
Senate VIII Inquire Into
influences Behind Com
pensation Law Change.
SULLIVAN ACCUSES
CASUALTY CONCERNS
Amendment for Direct Payments
Agreed To-Governor Whit
man Refuses Comment.

-r--~ a star Correspondent % 1Tie Trituuc
Albany. March 10 Charges made by
John Leo Sullivan. the Independent
Renubrcar leader Of the Assembly, that
corrupt and sinister influences forced
through the amendment TO the work
mems compensation law providing for
direct settlement, will be investigated
bv the Legislature. The charges were
made IN the Assembly at . o'clock this
morning in a debate on the bill. That
they would he made was forecast ex-
elusiyely in The Tribune on Wednes-
day.
Charges made by Hamilton Fish, jr.,
.he Progressive representative of Put
nam County, will also be Investigated.
Just before adjournment to-day a
resolution was passed unanimously in
the Senate calling for the investiga
ton, and asking the Assembly TO con
cur. The resolution WAS introduced by
Senator Brown.
A committee Of six, three from each
house, is provided for. Senator Brown
appointed George F. Argetsinger, OF
Rochester, and Charles d, Newton, of
Geneseo. Republicans. and James J.
Walker. Democrat, Of New York, for the
Senate.
Terms of Resolution.
Tho resolution. which follows. will
he passed by the Assembly on Monday
night;
"Whereas. Il has been charged di-
recty or by insinuation in the Assem-
bly, and public press that selfish, secret
and improper influences have been ex-
ertsd for the passage of the amend
Iaent 70 the workmen's compensation
law at the present session of the Legis-
lsture and that the action of the party
in control of the present sdministra-
ton OF the affairs of this state in
passing direct agreement amendment
70 such law was due to the activities
prompted by such influences or other
sinister influences, now, therefore, be it
Resolved, II the Assembly concurs,
that joint committee Of the Senate
and Assembly be constituted, consist
ing Of three Senators. 20 be appointed
By the President of the Senate, and
three members of the Assembly, to be
appointed By the Speaker OF the AS
sembly, and that said committee be and
II is hereby directed TO investigate and
inquire into such charges or inslnu-
ations and all matters pertaining there
TO-"
The committee is authorized to sub
ppns witnesses, including public Of
fcers and employees, 70 require the pro-
ducton Of books and papers, including
public records and documents, and Ia
employ counsel.
Some Of the reactionary Republican
believe Sullivan will back water. This
belief, those who know Sullivan de-
clare, is the reverse Of the truth.
Hamilton Fish voted against the
amendment, although it's passage meant
81 increase of $4,000 annually in his
business. lie is an insurance broker
lie made charges almost as grave as
Sullivan made He said that one or
two Leaders i'm the Republican party
were m the pay of the casualty com
panios, who alone. it is charged, beneti'
ty the amendment.
Before Mr.. Fish said this in the
House the names Of men he evidently
had IN miud-names TO conjure with
IN the Republican paOy not only IN
this state, but in the nation-were
banded about the Capitol corridors as
those who were really behind the
amendment
Where the amendment came from
las been asked by many Republicans
but no one has ever replied. Senator
Sage. Of Albany, introduced II in the
Senate, and later Assemblyman Mac
Donald offered it in the lower house
II was passed first in the form OF a
Tlder on the appropriation bill provid-
'ng for s425,000 to carry the Work.
mems Compensation Commission until
October 1 next. II was defeated ten
days ago in the Assembly. when Sulli-
Fan made a fight against IT. Az that
TINE Speaker Sweet was against the
iider IN any form. Since then he has
changed.
The amendment was passed in the
N"eNe to-uay Dy vote OF % 10 .,
me four were all present Of the Demo
cratic minority. The other thirteen
including Minority Leader Wagner
we're far from Albany. Five Republi-
cans lodged the vote The appropria-
uon bill was also passed.
Governor Whitman refused TO make
any comment on the charges made BY
Sulllvan and Fish. II was on special
message sent by him 10 the Iepi piSlaturo
mat the amendment was passed.
Ihe Governor announced that hC
would give hearing on the bill before
signing or vetaing il. He must ac'
within the next ten days or the bill
VIII become law without his sigma
turc.