The sun., 1917-03-15
HEARING BARS
ANTI-DRINK MAN
Anderson Fails to Give
Facts to Legislators Re-
garding Slush Fund.
CHALLENGED BY MILLS
McNab Bills Providing COnsti-
tutiOnal and Local PrOhi-
bitiOn Discussed.

ALpASY. Aarch a. Challenged by
Senator Ogden l.. Mills to-day to sub
stantiate his insinuation that a ''s,ush
fund" has been raised by the liquor in
terests 10 bribc the New York Legisla-
ture William II. Anderson, superintend-
ent of the Anti-Saloon League, refused to
do so and was prevented from speaking
at a joint legislative committee hearing
OH the McNah prohibition bills.
In the presence of crowd OF lesis-
lators. prohibitionists and opponents Of
prohibition Anderson was reminded by
Senator Mills that nc published on Mon
day statement on behalf of the Anti
Saloon League offering rewards aggre-
eating $4,000 "for evidence leading to
the conviction of any person for attempt
ing to bribe any member Of the present
Legislature in connection with the pro-
hlbition legislation"
In the same statement Anderson said
that corruption is the only weapon left
this year TO the liquor traffic" He
added the intimation of a huge slush
fund collected In advance outside Of the
state, so that there can be no possi-
bility OF tracing checks or bank records
in any Legislative investigation. OF this
money being brought to Albany In cur
rency about this time and deposited in a
safe deposit vault. and of its being paid
out at certain hotel after tire adjourn
ment of the Legislature"
General DemA MI for Facts.
= AS Anderson stepped forward there
were cries from all parts Of the Cham
ber: Now make him tell you all
about the slush fund or shut up Be
fore Anderson uttered his first sentence
Senator Mills interrupted him. saying:
On Monday morning you charged in
substance that there existed In Albany
or outside the State fund to be used
TO br!be the servants Of the State in or
der to defeat the measure we are dis
russing here to-day. You will readily
appreciate that this charge no, only re-
heets seriously upon the honor and in
tegrity OF the Legislature and Its mem
bers, but II true discloses the character
OF the opposition in such a light that II
must necessarily influence the position
we take in dealing with these measures
BY lRt4matioA, without cleaning up this
matter before these oils come to a
vote. you cast out the statement re-
Meeting on the integrity of every man
VINO votes against them. As you are a
public spirited citizen I am sure yo,,
nave no desire to do that"
Senator Mills then asked Anderson On
present the facts on which his statement
was based. Anderson replied loudly:
When either body of the Legislature
calls me in proper form for that purpose
VIII answer the question, but not until
then" ''''''
This is the time and tho place" said
senator Mills. Ito present whatever facts
you have which have led you TO believe
that such a fund exists"
i do not admit the substantial cor
fec'ness o: these insinuations you have
put into your question and / do not In
.shd 10 be DETECTED from the purpose OF
this hearing by any such fishing expedi.
tion," was the reply.
i'll you give the facts May ask
II these facts exist?" rasped Senator
Mills.
VIII simply repeat my former An
swer. 1 have made a statement which
stands for itself. i stand for that state.
ment until In proper form something
else Is legtimately required"
Senator Mills asked him II he would
submit his facts to the Governor or the
speaker OF the Assembly and got the
same reply.
- "e''V' WoIus, persisted senator
Mllls. you want to be subppnaed sworn
and brought before legislative commit.
tee otherwise you decline as a citizen OF
this state to disclose evidence of corrup-
ton which is In your possession"
NO. ! have not been asked---"
Asked He He Haired,
Answer, answer" shouted the "we.s'
and the rest of the sentence was lost
senator Mills dema nded that in view OF
his refusal Anderson be barred from ad-
dressing the committee. The chairman
senator James A. Emerson. invited An.
derson to retire unless he produced wha,
he believed justified his public declara.
ton. Again Anderson declined.
III II Is such question of hair trixge,
honor" he offered. "the Senate or AS.
sembly could have taken action on Mon.
day night or even yesterday instead OF
trying to drag this in for the PURPOSE OF
breaking up this hearing. 1t is moi
pertinent to this hearing. and therefore
/ refuse to answer It now"
Senator Emerson after consulting tn,
other members told Anderson the com
mittee would not hear him.
This is not pleasant duty" re
marked Senator Mills. but I want I,
take this action as publicly and en-
phaticaliy as possible to set my disa %
proval on reckless attack upon tn,
integrity and honor of public servant
without proof or facts which elthe
directly or indirectly warrant sucl
| sta atements. 1t is such attacks as th,
that tends. In the minds Of honest me,
who do not know the facts. to arous
doubts which never should exist. to un
I dermine confidence IN public servant
and eventually to destroy the !nstltu
| tons OF this country.
III a man under threat 70 defam
| my character obtains money from m
we call It blackmail and put him fl
| Jail. II man directly or indirectly at
tempts to influence me to vote agains
| my conscience or judgment or the vii
OF my constituents by threatening II
do not comply with his wishes to be
smlrch my private and public character
I say II Is a thousand times worse"
Anderson was permitted to say h
being corruptly Influenced and that Sena
tor Mills had read into his statemen
''many things that did not exist at ALL
| We'll. what did you say?" demande,
Senator Lockwood.
| IT offered a reward for evidence lead
ing to and resulting In the convictio
| OF any person offering bribe. Their
is no reflection whatever upon any mem
Der of the Legislature in that"
| Senator Lockwood dissented and MI
Anderson retired from the hearing.
| II is a practical certainty that tn
Brown bill. which It is estimated will
bring tho State S12.000.o00 year b.
incrsassd liquor licenses. will pAss.