The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-22
District Attorney Acts i'm
Thompson Committee
Rumpus.
CALLS FOR RECORDS
AT THE BILTMORE
Law Makes Felony Of False
Charging Of Account
to State.

pstr r., Attorney Swami began vester-
day an investigation into tho s5.23o bill
o, the Thompson committee for two
months entertainment AT the Hotel Bilt-
more. Items in this bill were not prop
crly set forth. according to the admis-
sions Of senator Thompson himself. who
0. K'd the account.
Assistant District Attorney William
Harman Black, who has been assigned
10 the case. announced later that pre-
iminary study inclined him to the be-
lief that the situation was covered by
section 1853 of the penal law, which
makes il a felony for any person TO
audit. pay or allow any false claim
against the state a county. city or VIII
age or to connive in such work know
.ng that such claim or demand is false
or fraudulent The penalty is five years
Imprisonment or $1,000 tine or both.
Before his day ended MIR. Black vis-
tied the Hotel Biltmore. where he was
promised every scrap OF writing that re-
lated to the bills of the Thompson COM
mi,tee during the months of January,
February and March. 1915. These rec
ords will include the ledger which will
contain the separate charges against
every member OF the committee. the
cards, which contain the accounts an
alyzed. such AS food drinks. cigars. flow
ers. theatre tickets. cabs. manicure bar
Ger, tea. and extra guests, male or fs-
male
Task to Get Records Together
As the labor involved in getting these
records together is great. the accounts
could not be finished yesterday. They
may bo sent to Mr.. Black this morning
or on Monday at the outside. They will
N taken TO Mr. Swann's assistant by
Auditor Eugene u. Miller. who made the
sridavi' for the state Cumptroller's
oYire tina. all of the dates and items
as mentioned and charged therein were
correct This IL where senator James \.
Foley. senator George Cromwell and AS
Mmblyman r Hunter McQuis,ion have
con,radicted Mr. Miller. all declaring
that they did not occupy the rooms they
were set forth as occupying or eat the
food charged against them.
In answer senator George Thompson,
who Is head of the committee that has
been investigating the Public Service
commission. admits that the legislators
may he correct. but he falls back upon
the assertion that the amount is correct
and tnA' Z was prorated according to
ancient committee custom.
senator Thompson added this last
night: That Mr.. McQuistion properly
had objected TO the items charged
against him and that others may do the
sWe He had proceeded according to
The practice. hut that at the end OF the
t,,tH.
mat other committees and their bills
would come into the limelight To the end
mat the practice may bc broken up.
Acts to Gather Evidence.
Mr Black sent a letter yesterday to
M Mclulstion containing a request that
he visit Judge Swami on Monday, taking
win him all documentary evidence. An
oher letter wenk To State Comptroller
hlsene NJ. TravA, requesting that GER
'hed copies OF all accounts. vou hers or
"einofdhda bearing on the subject be
sent To the District Attorney of New
lorh county at once. The State Comp
roller was also asked II ne would in
''S" u became necessary to submit the
"re'n'u records TO a Grand Jury send
me records without subpoena.
'bNolsly until we know the facts
'"'' w Sd!u WIN
70 Ihe case said Judge Swami. I'VE .
mus hrs' ascertain II Senator Foley's ,
name and Mr.. McQuistion's name were
''seN used 10 cover a claim befor. We /
r"n proceed These gentlemen are 10 be /
"N"'H 10 come 10 this Office. The man
'ktrs "' the hotel have expressed an
entire willingness To send to us every
.'e 'h'r have bearing on the matter.
W. WI" D" able to discuss the case more
." gently when we have that. The
.Nes'sdtiun l. to be thorough and will !
"o~.'d unit. violations Of the law, IL .
any ~" punished"
ASse'nh,yndn McQuistion. in whose
n'i were charged $3.50 for "A hotel room
tdl ue never occupied and slg34l for
'o.H ittI" OF which he says he ate. re-
orN word yesterday OF the state
CVnp'rollers willingness to take some
.ePs IN 'h' matter, Mr.. Travis Informed
me ASSemhlyman that IL he would put
statement published in the newspapers
N me form Of an affidavit the Comp
uolIer would submit the entire matter to
Auo'h"y- General Woodbury. for an
oph'o' Mr. McQuis,ion Immediately
n'He an tf'idavit and sent II to the State
Comptroller
says Thompson Ignored Him.
7nt Assemhlyman made the following
Statement.
~ 'he lath instant my counsel. Ed