New-York tribune., 1917-12-21
He Charges $4,000, 900 Was
Used to Buy Election
Without Buying Votes"
Childs Contradicts
Sulzer Statement
Says Ex-Governor Began
Negotiations-Tells of
an $4,000 Deficit

Comm ttee has dehclt OF SSO,OOO. In;S
was youehcd for yesterday by William
Hamliu Childs, chairman of the eXecu-
tive committee. while under examin -
tion by Acting District Attorney Will
lam Harman Black and Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Kilroe. Mr.. Childs
doesn't know yet where his committee
is going to raise the funds TO meet the
deficit.
Mr.. Childs was unable 20 furnish
much information which the District
Attorney is anxious TO get regarding
disbursements Of this S2,000,000 fund.
He said Sam Lewisohn, the treasurer,
had spent all his time in charge OF the
disbursements. Mr.. Lewisohn, II is said,
has been away from New York for sew
cral days. suffering from a nervous
breakdown. but he returned TO town
yesterday and will be asked to appear
in the District Attorneys Office to-day.
Regarding the investigation and its
progress. District Attorney Swami said
last night
"Ethically Corrupt" Swami Says
"The investigation, IS far rs il has
gone, indicates a concerted action on
the part OF the managers OF TINS hugc
fund to obtain votes by purchasing IN
fuence Of men supposed TO be IN
position to swing a part OF the labor
vote. and others in a position supposed
TO enable them TO divert part OF the
regular Democratic vote, and others,
such as Suzer. for his influence in en-
deavoring 10 swing the East Side into
the ranks Of Fusion.
"None Of these payments was made
for real services, but were made for the
supposed influence Of the recipient In
other words, il was the use Of money IN
an effort to buy favor; ethlcally they
constitute a series Of corrupt acts. IL
was an attempt TO buy the election
without the overt act Of paying money
direct 10 the voter. The campaign was
n test Of strength between the power
IF concentrated wealth to purchase the
election by indirection and the power
Of the people TO resist temptation and
20 cast their votes as their conscience
dictated. Those who have violated the
law have done so with their eyes open
Childs COntrsdicts SulZer
Among other things, Mir. Childs hatly
contradicted Ex-Governor William Sui
zer. saying that he lSulzer) and not the
witness had started the negotiations
that resulted in Mr.. Suffers going on
the stump for Mayor Mitchell for $4,000.
Mr.. Childs said he told Mr.. Sulzer that
there was 4 large deficit and conse-
duently no money with which 10 pay
him his bill for $4,000 for "disburse-
ments" incurred by his speaking tour.
Most Of the Fusion advertising, Mr..
Childs said. was handled by the E-ick-
son Advertising Company. Inc, 3sl
Fourth Avenue, Of which his son, Rich
ard S. Childs, is a direo;or. He said
no commission had been paid TO the
Erickson company by the Fusion COM
mittee. but he didn't know whether the
newspapers had given the concern any
commission.
Mr.. Childs said he was president Of
the Barrett Company, manufacturers
and distilers Of coal tar products, at II
Battery Place. lie is also vicc-pres dent
Of the Bon Ami Company and resides a;
% Prospect Park West. Brooklyn.
"Docs the report 10 the Secretary Of
State accurately state who the real con-
tributors in each case were ," asked Mr.,
Kilroe.
81 believe So said Mr.. Childs He
added that no contribution had been
accepted from a corporation.
Chadbourne's $4,000 Gift
Thomas L. Chadbourne, n Wilson
Democrat. living at 500 Park Avenue,
was also questioned by Mr.. Kilroe yes
terday. Mr.. Chadbourne said he con-
trbuted $4,000 to the Mitchell cam
paign. In answer 10 Mr.. kilroe's ques-
lions. Mr.. ChadbouIne said he was "A di
rector Of the Harrison-W Walker Refrac-
tories Company, a frebrick corpora
tion, with main Offices in Pittsburgh.
lie said he WAS also a director IN the
international Motor Company, the But
terworth -Judson Corporation, OF Hobo
ken, manufacturer Of acids used IN eX-
plosives, and of the Greenwich National
Bank. Of Greenwich, Conn, where he
has a summer home. In all of these,
he said, he was a heavy stockhclder.
The Harrison Walker Refrsctories
Company. he said. was capitalized for
about $50. 900 900. and the International
Motors Company for $500 600. He said
none Of the corporations, so far as he
knew, had any dealings with the city
government.
When Mr.. Kilroe sought the amount
Of Mr. Chadbourne's bank balance. the
witness hedged and said he had no OBJ
jeetions TO telling II TO District Attor-
ney Swami. but he wanted a pledge that
II wouldn't be given TO the newspapers.
"Of course said Mr.. Kilroe, "you
can see at a glance why / am asking
you this question"
at is 20 find out whether, in your
opinion, was justified in paying S25,-
O00"
"Or whether IL was your money" re-
sponded the lawyer.
Mr.. hilroe declined 10 promise M
munity from publication, and Mr.
Chadbourne finally said his bank bal
snee on the average was 500 900. A.
tue present time he thought IL was be
tween $4,000 and 100000.
And your income is derived from
The practice Of law"
Il am quite a rich man, Mr.. Kilroe
law business combined with bust
ness law, which, you understand, is
Law"
The most lucrative law practice 10
be had" Mr.. Kilroe agreed.
Now a Government Counsel
The witness said he was at present
counsel for the war trade board in
Washington, az the salary Of 81 a year.
lie denied writing the Mayors
speeches or knowing who created the
patriotic issue"
Mr. Chadbournc said he would turn
over ali his vouchers 20 the District
Attorney at any time.
Collin II. Woodward. Tax Commits
s;oner and executive member Of the
Republican party IN the 25d Assembly
District, was also examined. lie said
nc gave advice 90 Senator Newcomb =
dozen times during the campaign and
that he contributed SEQ lie offered 10
produce his accounts in the Washing