The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-12
Ex-Governor Denies Tell
ing Niagara Man He Could
Become State Head.
BURKE WORKED BLUFF
Appears to Be Only Man
Intimating Bait of a
$50O,OOO slush Fund.
MANY ARE SUBPENAED
Albany Hearing Is Mostly a
Mass of Statements Later
. Contradicted.
MANY ARE SUBPENAED
Special Dcspdtch TO TUE suS.

SpeS'es DeeputtN ~ iuh oUN.
ALBANY, April 11.-Big names were
flung into the Senate Judiciary Com
mittees 100000 slush fund investiga-
ton to-day. But when the excitement
had settled a bit it was revealed that
Senator Thompson's only authority for
the assertion of improper motives on
tho part of those who had sought to
influence him in favor Of the Carson
Martin bill to permit the Public Ser
vice Commissions to increase street
railway fares notwithstanding local
contracts, rested on the offers and as
sertions Of Richard Burke. the only
other witness of the day.
Burke testified later with a laugh
that he represented only himself.
He told with some glee Of how he had
bluffed Senator Thompson some years
sgo into believing that he. Burke. was
the man OF mystery who had given
Thompson anonymous tips leading to
the indictment of Robert Colgate
Wood, a New York city Public Ser
vice Commissioner.
OF tho men mentoned-forrner Gov
srnor Whitman. Theodore p. Shonts,
Nicholas F. Brady. John B. Stanchheld,
Charles G. NJ Thomas. and Judge His
cock of the Court of Appeals-Thomp-
son himself admitted that his relations
with shonts. Brady and Stanchfeld were
perfectly proper. Ex-Governor Whit
man. the committee was informed. Is
prepared to deny all Of the Senator's al
legations.
Judge Hiscock's name was brought
into the hearing at third hand, Burke
tsstifying that Thompson had told him
OF efforts OF tho. Syracuse crowd"
through Judge Hiscock to interfere with
his legislation.
All VIII BE subp9naed.
All OF them will get an opportunity tc
appear before the committee and tel
their side Of the conversations. whicf
Thompson revealed to-day after consul
tation with his little red diary. The
sergeant at arms Is on his way to New
York tonight with Invitations for ex
Governor whitman and Mr. Stanchhelt
toappear before the committee. He ais
carries a subpoena for Charles e. NJ
Thomas, treasurer of the Consolidatet
Gas Company, who. Senator Thompson
charged. offered to furnish him 100000
Thompsons home.
Senator Thompson admitted that ther
never had been a sum OF 100000 Il
Albany to grease the ways for the Car
sou-Martin bill. This sum, he revealed
was mentioned TO him by Burke whei
the latter came TO him in high glee a
the Republican Club in New York Of
Sunday morning. March 16. with the In
formation that the "Bradys Stanchfield
Morgan and all Of them were willing I
back Thompson for Governor and t
make their backing substantial up t
the sum mentioned or more. This con
versation Burke denied later.
The development of the influence
which Senator Thompson testified to be
gan way back when he was investisatin
The Public Service Commissions an
went on through the fight against tn
SO-cent gas bill to relieve the corpora
tions Of that rate in New York cit
through the Public Service Commission
The interviews which bore on the tro
ley fare bill according to Senator ThomI
sons testimony to-day, occurred as 10
lows:
An interview with Burke. who me
him at the Grand Central Station earl
in February to seek his support for IN
bill.
An interview with John b. Stanchfel
later in the same month at which M
StaEchfeld asked Thompson to invest
gate the financial status OF the New ior
traction companies. Senator Thompso
says there was nothing improper In TIL
Burke testified that the interview was
Thompson's request and Thompson sa'
II was at Burkes.
An interview with Nicholas p. Brad
in the latter's home again. also In Fe
ruary, with the Same contradiction as
who wanted the interview. and VII
Senator Thompson again admitting TN
Mr.. Brady made no improper sugge
tions.
Subsequent telephone talks with NJ
Stanchheid, after the latter had col
suited Jamsb L. Quackenbush, OF cou'
sci for the Interborough.
The offer OF Mr.. Burke In senat
Thompson's room at the Republican CIV
on March 16.
The luncheon at which ex-Gov. VIII
man, Thompson says. suggested y
Rubernatorial chances In connection wi
a discussion OF the trolley fare bill,
Alleged oner by Burke.
According TO Senator Thompson 4
interview with Burke was as follows
George. I've got corking thing
want to tell YOU. II you stand for n
bill II will be the biggest thing that ev
happened to you. 1t will make You GO
ernor. These people are ready TO raj
a campaign fund UP TO sboo.ooo II nece
sary. You have a good reputation Al
N YOU only had the money you cou
walk home ..,-...
II said to him." Thompson continue
"'plck you know me. and you know
sm on the square. don't want to
Governor and never will. and never
be a candidate"
burke was plainly nervous on I
stand. Thompson was cool through
all. While Burke was testfyins