New-York tribune., 1918-01-03
Resolution Offered Asking
Inquiry Into Campaign
Fund
Wagner Introduces
Ownership Measure
Bill Sent to Cities Commit
tee, Where Leaders Say
1t Will Stay
lStdf Correspo1,dence1

'"hO'AN Jdi. t. I1 IITSL ACt or
the new Legislature which opened to-
day was the introduction Of t\o rcso-
lutions in the Senate calling for
joint legislative investigation of the
vast amounts Of money spent in the
recent Fusion campaign in Nsw York
City. Senators Robert II. Lawson, Of
Brooklyn, and George r. Thompson. Of
Niagara, were the sponsor< for the
resolutions.
Senator Thompson's resolutions called
for an investigation not only Of the
disbursement of the 81 200 900 spent by
the Fusionists, ns appears from the
public records, but Of all moneys re-
ceived and expended Both resolutions
went to n committee.
The Lawson resolution called for
statewide investigation Of campaign
expenses of ali parties. District At.
tornoy Swami was criticised by Senate.
Thompson for his manner OF conduct
ing the grand jury inquiry into the
Fusion campaign expenses.
"Upstate." said Senator Thompson.
"the grand iuries conduct their pro-
ceedings in secret. In New York City
they publish them in the press. The
trouble down there is that there is too
much talk and no indictments. Just
before the last election four men tre-
fer1ing to ex-senator Reynolds and his
nssociates) were indicted. And there
never have been any prosecutions.
Calls Crimes Unprecedented
"They refer to the attempts TO cor
rupt the electorate of New York City.
| after an attempt to steal primary
election failed, as irregularities. They
are crimes hey yond precedent and could
not have happened If scores of men
had not conspred together. T want to
! see punishment meted out to the
guilty, so that this thing cannot hap
pen again anywhere. They spent So,
100000 in their attempt, a sum as large
as was spent by the Republican Ma
tional Committee in the Hughes cam
paign and 100000 more than was
spent to rec ect President Wilson,"
Senator Robert F. Wagner. minority
leader, after defending District Attor
ney Swami. saying he was proceeding
as rapidly as possib e, said that the
proposed investigation by the Legislat-
ure was necessary to bring to the sur
face "crimes not disclosed to the grand
jury" -
know if it was crlme-of an ex-Gov-
ernor Of the state receiving $4,000 in
ords filed with the public authorities
continued Senator Wagner. "Thcre
were doubtless others who received their
pay in cash And it must be remem
bered that all these things were done
by distinguished gentlemen. great re-
formers engaged in purifying the elec
toratc.'
Elon r. Brown, majority leader OF
the Senate, interposed to say that M
did not believe the reference to thu
payment of $4,000 to Ex-Governor Sui
ger was in order.
No One Defends Mitchell
"You know they still owe him som,
more he added.
ais it surprising that Governor Sulzel
asked for his pay in cash, in view o
, what was shown in this chamber thre'
, years ago." asked Senator Henry NJ
Sage. Of Albany.
, "Why this attack on Governor Sui
zer?" asked Senator Brown, turning t.
! Senator Wagner.
) "l'm not attacking Governor Sulzer,
retorted the Democratic leader. II an
talking of the corruption attempted b.
the servitor of special privilege and n
unworthy public servant"
! No one rushed to ex-Mayor Mitchell
| defence. whereupon Senator George L
: Wellington, of Troy, thundered: "! ar
/ against any of these investigation
: There is no need of them. Let tn
9 not committed only in New York Cit
/. during the last election. These crime
: are committed in every election dis
trict in New York State every election
1t is more reprehensible to pay loafe
$40 for his vote than to give ma
$ $4,000 for making speeches. And vote
t are bought and paid for in every elet
r tion district every year Forty thoi
t sand dollars was spent in Troy in tn
J. last election buying votes And don
ever think that you can get politics
y District Attorney to do his duty"
d After this discussion was ended b
&; Senator Brown moving that the rcst
e lutions. which carry an appropriate
y Of $4,000 each, be referred to til
e Finance Committee, The Governors Al
: nual message to the Legislature VIZ
" brought in.
n Ownership Bill introduced
When it had been read. Senator Wa
ner introduced bill providing for II
II filing of complete statement of car
l. paign receipts and disbursements fl
l. days before election. instead of TWEEN
days after election as the present la
If prescribes. The bill also forbids IL
N receipt Of any money after the fill
t" Of the statement.
ly Senator Wagner introduced the mu
D. heralded Hearst-Hylan municipal ow
,e ership legislation. 1t would authori
re any city in the state to acquire, co
id struct, operate and lease public uti
ia ties. the terms and conditions bel
fixed by the local Legislative body. 7
bill further provides that the purcha
or leasing price shall be established
the Public Service Commission on
basis Of the corporations franchis
"a and property, irrespective of it's cal
~ talization. The Public Service Coz
mission is to appraise all values.
=. One other provision permits the M
Oh nicpality to issue bonds for other pt
All poses, or in lieu thereof public Sc
D. vice certificates to be paid for sole
In out of the revenues derived from c
-, public utilities. If the latter cour
'" were followed and the public util
49, for which the certificates were issu
failed to produce any revenues, t
az holders of the certificates would ha
-. worthless stock on their hands. T
oS measure was marked by Senator We
,s, ner as a city bill, which caused It, al
es matter of course, to be referred to
.r. Committee on Cities.
"a. This committee, as indicated III