New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-28
Williams Says He Talked
with Wilcox About Alleg-
led Offer to Barter Vote.
B.R. T. HEAD STILL
SHIELDS DEAD MAN
Admits "Offcial" Could Be
Identified as Late Mayor
by Inference.


COMPANY. yesterday again refused TO
give the Thompson committee the name
Of tho man who called on him In the
sprine Of 1911 and told him that Tor
S5OO.OOO the vote OF a member OF the
Board of Estimate could be swung 20
the side Of the b. r. T. His REFUSAL
no explained, WAS on the advice OF
counsel.
Mr.. Williams admitted talking about
the matter with William r. Wilcox two
or three weeks ago. Mr.. Wilcox at the
time Of tho alleged offer to barter a
vote for half a million dollars was
chairman Of the Public Service Com
mission.
Mr.. Wilcox followed Colonel Will
Jams on the stand. lie denied Mayor
Gaynor's name had been mentioned in
the conversation. lie also denied an
interview attributed to him, in which
he was quoted as saying Colonel Will
Jams said ne understood Mayor Gaynor
was in the market if the opportunity
arose and somebody had the price.
ct do not believe" said Mr.. Wilcox,
chat any city official was connected
with bribery or scandal"
Thompson Asks New Law.
Senator Thompson said later he had
introduced a bill in the Legislature
giving the committee power TO compel
hostile witnesses to testify and to force
the surrender of books and papers from
unwilling corporations or others. The
bill has passed the Senate and is now
In the Assembly.
"Mr. Williams began Mr.. Moss, do
you remember conversation with Mr..
Wilcox, in which you mentioned the
call of a man upon you, in reference to
your getting rid Of tho hostility Of
Mayor Gaynor for $500, 0007"
81 wouldn't put It that way" re-
piled Mr.. Williams.
"How would you put ~"
al had a talk about two or three
weeks ago with Mr.. Wilcox on subway
matters. He said he didn't believe any
man In the city government had been
influenced by corrupt consideration.
agreed with him, with one exception.
! think told him generally why | had
some doubts about that particular IN
dividual. The individuals name, as !
recall il, was not mentioned"
Gaynor Named by Inference.
Wasn't the conversation such as 20
make il relate only TO the Mayor
THAT inference could be drawn from
It."
81 must ask you for the name Of the
individual who came to you and told
you that 100000 story"
Before Colonel Williams could an
swer, Senator Thompson added that
in view of the fact. that Colonel Will
Jams had testified the man who visited
him was dead, in justice TO others
who were dead. and who were con
cerned vitality In the dual subway con
tracts, he should give the name.
! Colonel Williams said he would an
swer by reading a statement. Mr..
Moss said that what was wanted was
the name Of the messenger. Colonel
Williams stood his ground, saying;
Il decline 70 reveal the name, and
in so doing, / want TO read this state
rcnt. for. in important matters involv-
ing a mans reputation, deliberate ac'
;ion is called for"
Williams Reads Statement.
he was permitted to read the state
ment, which follows:
"Since testifying before the con nit
.cc on Saturday last | have consulted
with counsel, and upon their advice ana
without intending any dlsrespect TO the
questions relating 10 the subject OF the
committees inquiries Of me on that
dav. cxceDt 20 reiterate what ! SAID
hen in gubstance-nsmely, that the
statement as 20 which | testified was
made 20 me By man now dead, who
did not mention nor in any way moi
cate 20 me the name OF any one who
had communicated such statement TO
him.
"And. so far "a know. the commu-
rication Of the statement TO me was
without any authority or knowledge OF
the public official referred 20 IN the
conversation, and that ] promptly and
emphaticaly refused 10 have anything
20 do with the matter.
Refuses to Give Name.
In our relations with the city Off
rials in the matter Of these contracts
there never has been any act or inter
view directly or indirectly involving
bribery or corruption.
"Ny answers 20 any further inquiries
on this subject could not be OF any as
-istance 20 the committee or be mate
rial 20 the subject matter Of ITS inves-
tigatiOn."
when Colonel Williams finished read
ing Sir. Moss said:
On pressing for an answer 20 this
question want 20 say that my reason,
which j am about 70 express, is said
without any intent 10 offend Colonel
Williams. II is not pleasant thing 20
Investigate this matter and less pleas
ant when the man IS dead.
If this - an investigation 10 must
10 where the trail leads. regardless Of
personalities or othe< considerations.
The attitude Of the witness makes him
the Judge Of things the chairman
should be the judge o. The attitude
Of the witness makes IL impossible 20
prove that the man who called on him
~ dead. IL IL necessary for us 70 know
the name. for IL may dovetail into
other Information We have. In other
words. the committee should not be at
the mercy Of witness who undertakes
20 determine what is right and proper
for him 20 testify about"
Shields Name of Dead Man.
Senator Thompson added that 10 Was
very important matter, rs was proved
b. the fact that after an these Years
u stuck 10 his mind. 20 that two or
'hTce weeks ago be was led again 30