The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-18
Beardsley Testifies Place as
Rail Prober Was Sought
as for Senator.
$500,O0O FUND DENIED
Introduction. of Cars0n-Martin
I Bill Followed Conferences
on Measure.
Special Des,,afcA 20 THz Sun.

Il any and for NichoiAs II. Brady, testi-
fed to-day before the Senate Judiciary
Committee in the 'slush fund" inquiry
that Richard II. Burke had visited his
office at leust fifteen times since the
Thompson public service investigation in
New York and that on each occasion he
wanted something done for Senator
Thompson. He could only remember
: the nature of the favor which Burke
asked on two of THESE occasions: once 1t
was n request that Tie urge Ira F. Place.
vice-president of thes New York Central,
TO agree no Thompson az head Of a COM
uittee to investigate the death ave-
rfie" situation, and ttnother time he was
asked about an investigation OF the
trolley fare situation
In the testimony MI. .Beardsley offered
ne denied all knowledge OF a slush fund.
and said that eff there is 100000 foat-
frg loose around the trolley lines.
want the Judiciary Committee to point Il
out to me-"
Mr.. Beardsiey admitted Mr.. Burfe had
introduced Senator Thompson TO him.
and that he in turn had acceded to Mr..
Burke's request TO introduce. tho Sena-
s6r to Mr.. Brady snd had taken him to
mn Brady's office Tor that purpose.
ibAa Nv hOSUhOSsio~at
however, of Mr.. Burke's Testimony
early this week that Senator Thompson
wanted $4,000 quick, was 'in a devil
: of dx," and had Burke 80 to Mr..
Beardsley to request the loan.
WAS Burke ever employed by your
nrN?" Deputy Acknowledgement Cheney
asaaed
Il always supposed he represented
Senator Thompson" declared Mr..
Beardsley.
First Meeting with Burke.
in the course OF hAs examination. Mr..
Beardsley said he first met Burke in
1919. when the late Anthony N. Brady
introduced him, and told him that he
wanted Burke and some influential
men" interested with him in the Fed
erai Signal Company to get a million
dollar contract the B. n. T. was letting
ut that time for signals. Before the
contract was awarded Mr.. Brady died.
and although Bsrke's bid was low. he
did not get the contract.
Since then Mr.. Burke has been in
Mr.. Beardsley'si Office about twenty
times. the lawyer testified He thought
that he had been there perhaps fifteen
times since the Thompson Public Service
probe In New York. and always
wanted something for Senator Thomp-
son."
Asked by Chairman Burlingams to
tell the COMMITTEES what Burke wanted
for Senator Thompson on each OF those
occasions Mr. Beardsley's memory failed
u trife and he could remember only
that Mr. Burke asked him at one time
to call Ira Place, vice-president OF the
New York Central, to get him to agree
TO let Thompson head committee to
investigate the Death Avenue situation.
and at another time he was asked about
q committee to investigate the trolley
fare situation. The thirteen other oc-
casions slipped from his mind.
Mr.. Beardsley said one time, after the
Legislature adjourned. Senator Thomp-
son asked him. las one electric light
man to another" about the possibility
of getting a sale OF $4,000 worth OF
Zig ing bonds underwritten in New York
and was given his advice.
Burke was always cracking Thomp-
son up and telling what a good fellow
he was" Mr.. Beardsley said. and he
also testified that Burke said practi-
cally the same thing to Nicholas r.
Brady.
Burke Praised Them All.
The other day Senator Thompson tes-
titled that Burke was always telling
him what a square fellow" Mr.. Brady
was.
Mr.. Beardsley admitted he drew the
wicks-Martin bill Of last year. but said
he thought 1t was given TO Senator
wicks by Jesse Brayton. secretary OF
the Utica Gas and Electric Company
He complained that everyone acted as
though 1t were crime to draw a leyiti-
mate bill and have II introduced In the
Legislature.
According to his testimony he did nc,
appear voluntarily before the committee
but was told that he must either come OF
be put under subpoena.
Senator William A. Carson of Yatci
and Assemblyman Louis NJ. Martin Of
Oneida. introducers of the bill, were
called before the committee to tell abou:
how they happened to get the measure
Senator Henry Walters was called ant
said the bill was given to him TO lool
over and have introduced. as perhaps 81
per cent. of the Senate legislation is, BY
Alexander Cowee Of Syracuse and Ar
thur Loasbee OF Syracuse and Mr.
Weatherwax. Mr.. Cowee II attorney
for the State Association Of Trust Com
panies and Mr.. Loasbee was president O
the State Trust Companies Association
Senator Walters said he didn't talk will
Senator Thompson about introducing tn,
bill. because he knew he was against Il
but he did ask Senator Clayton r. Lusl
OF Cortland. also a member Of the Pub
lie Service Committee.
Lusk Rejects aIeasure.
After considering the measure Senate,