New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-21
New Bribery Tale
Told by Wilson,
, Swann's Witness
City Club Offered Him
$4,000 to Recant Breckin-
ridge Charges, He Asserts

A. L. Wilson, principal witness in the
bribery charge against former Assist
ant District Attorney Lucian S. Breck-
irridge, declared yesterday that he had
been approached by an agent OF the
City Club with an offer of $4,000 and
complete immunity from prosecution
for perjury if he would recant the tes-
timony he had given about his collec-
tions of money for Mr. Breckenridge
from the Division Street Suit and Cloak
Manufacturers Association for protec-
ton from strike violence.
Wilson made the statement TO Rabbi
Samuel Buchler, of Sing Sing, who was
in the District Attorneys office when
Wilson sent a note over from the
Tombs requesting an interview with
Assistant District Attorney Alfred j.
Talley. Mr.. Talley declared that he
would not talk with Wilson unless,
responsible third person were IN the
room. Mrs Wilson was in the room
when, at Mr. Talley's request, RABBI
Buchler talked with Wilson.
Said Family Was in Want
According to a stenographic state
ment by Rabbi Buchler, Wilson said
he had his bail bond for $4,000 with
drawn and surrendered himself at the
Tombs last Saturday because he had
been mistreated by Assistant District
Attorneys MarKewlch and Doollng, who
had failed TO give him enough money
in return for mis- services as a witness
against Breckenridge. lie SAID his wife
and two children we're in want and he
was desperate According to DR.. Buch-
Ter Wilson said:
Doctor, you don't know much about
politics. But in politics statement
/ am going to make to Mr. Clark John
X. Clark. counsel for the City Club, II
he will see me this afternoon, Is worth
$4,000. Now, DR.. Buchler, what do
YOU think would be reasonable
amount for me TO receive for sticking
to the District Attorneys office |
think it ought to give me $4,000. Dis
trict Attorney Swami is worth S5OO.OOO.
They could give me $4,000 easily"
DR.. Buchler said he advised Wilson
10 think of his wife and children, and
do nothing that would brand him as
self-confessed perjurer. Mrs. Wilson,
who had been weeping, the rabbi said,
nodded her head in approval. Then
Wilson talked about the prospects OF
District Attorney Swann's being re-
moved, DR.. Buchler said.
Rabbi Continues Statement
"He told me-" the rabbi said, that a
man higher up had gwen him good
PROMISES that, even if Mr. Swami
should be reelected, he WILSON, could
RELY on the City Club, and that he need
fear no one. lie repeated an old jew
ish proverb about wanting to eat the
pork chop instead of the candle, which
meant that, if he were going to break
the law, he wanted to break 1t Tor
something worth while. -.
"He said he needed $4,000 to send MS
wife and children away to the country
and to get little business that would
make him self-supporting."
District Attorney Swami said he dld
not believe for moment that any one
having any authority from the CITY
Club had ever offered money to Wilson
TO recant.
1T may be that some person pur-
porting to speak for the City Club mas
approached him. But his word is not
reliable at best" said Mr.. Swami.
Mr.. Clark said Wilson's talk was
"ridiculoug." He said Wilson had made
a full statement 70 him in a room at
that District Attorney Swami had char
acterized Wilson as unreliable, Mr..
Clark said:
az think il is important that the
public should know that this is the
type of man on whom the District
Attorney was relying TO prosecute
Breckenridge.
Reply of Prosecutor
In reply, Mr.. Swami said:
"Wilson, whose real name is Wolf
sohn. was first produced as a witness
for Nr. Breckenridge before Chief Mag
istrate McAdoo. lie refused to testify
on the grounl that it would tend to
degrade and incriminate him. Magis-
tra,e McAdoo held that a prima facie
case had been made out against Mr..
Breckenridge without the testimony of
Wilson He did, however, subsequent
ly appear before the grand jury that
indicted Breckenridge"
The District Attorney last evening
made public the following letter, writ
ten few days ago by Wilson to his
wife:
Dear Kate and the Children: / am
through with the District Attorneys
office and made up with Breckenridge
and the City Club. | am sending you
your money ard you will hear from
me in the next mail in what city ! am.
/ would write you now, but ! don't
want that anybody should know, but
you can figure II out for yourself
where | am going. ! am sending you
S35. ! am leaving at 1880 tonight;
best regards 10 you and the children.
From your loving husband and father"