New-York tribune., 1919-05-10
Whitman Again Witness at Inquiry Into Alleged Sush Fund

their conference in subdued tones
When they reconvened in public j;
was to declare q recess fer luncheon
After recess Mr.. Moss first took up
the alleged Hill Whitman interview
concerning which he had unsuccess-
fully tried TO examine Mr.. Whitman
during the forenoon.
Al the time the Hill Wheeler bill
was pending in the Legislature did YOU
issue public statement. which was
published in The Knickerbocker Press,
reflecting on the activities of Sena-
tors Argetsinger, Walters, Slater and
Wicks, mentioning them by name in
your public statement and charging
them with subservlency to the liquor
interests and with lack OF fidelity to
Republican interests?"
MIR. Whitman, instead Of answering
looked at Chairman Burlingame. The
latter finally ruled that the question
was not pertinent.
Then Mr.. Moss again asked the wit
ness questions based on the testimony
OF Mr.. Quackenbush, Harry B. Wealth
erwaX, president of the New York State
ASSOCIATION of Street Railways, and
Joseph K. Choate, chairman of the
organization. These three witnesses
nave sworn that Governor Whitman
mad promised to lend his support to
the Pratt increased rates bill during
MS last year as Governor and later
"double-crossed" them.
Mr: Whitman answered at great
length, denying that he had made any
such promise, saying he merely told
them that if the Legislature passed
the measure he would receive it with
an open mind" and give it serious con-
sideration
He was next asked about his $4,000
retainer from the Interborough. He
said he expected his firm might be
called upon to go to Albany before the
committees on the Carson Martin bill.
"Was Perfectly Proper"
Mr.. Moss, having in mind the Wig
orous denials Of the witness that he
was retained to do any lobbying, and
had so stipulated in conversation
with Mr.. Shonts, asked him:
"Wouldn't that be an effort to in
fluence legislation %
Mr.. Whitman insisted that appearing
before Legislative committee to argue
the morlts OF a bill was perfectly
proper.
"Hadn't there been complete hear
ing at which the argument of Governor
Hughes was presented? ?" asked Mr..
Moss.
And 1t was extremely complete and
convincing" was the answer.
Q'-"hat did you expect to do in ap-
pearng before any committees with ref
erence to this bill? Al did not ex
pEect to appear before any committees.
What | stated was we were ready to
perform any service that they asked us
tot perform.
Q.-Well, if you were not to do any,
VII Eofa b.
why did you ask for the names of the
members of the Senate who appear red to
be opposed to that bill? Al did not
ask for them
Mr.. Moss then asked the witness con-
corning his talk with Mr.. Quackenbus1
on March %. '-''''
Talked About the Names
Q.--Did you know that Mr.. Quacken-
push testified that you did ask for them :?
Ave talked about the names.
vi ask you, did you know that Mr..
Quackenbush testified that YOU asked
for them? Al did not ask for them.
l informed Mr.. Shonts in the first in
stance in talking about that
Q-lf Mr.. Quackenbush so testified,
DO you say that he is mistaken. Al
say ne IS mistaken in his recollection.
Q.-Well, you did leave Mr.. Quack
cnbush with clear understanding that
you expected to discuss this Carson
Martin measure with Senator Thomp-
son, didn't you? Al said that /
expected to see him and that I would
talk over the bill with him, yes.
Q.-But, Governor. did you not con-
sclously and Intentionally, when you
testified before, leave this committee
IN a position to believe that at the
time you had the conversation with
Senator Thompson you had no rela-
ton with the Ifterborough of client
false.
Odd you apprise the committee
or attempt to apprise the committee
of the fact that the agreement of at
5orney and client had been reached
between you and the Interborourh
Company before Senator Thompson
called on you? Al don't recall. The
question was not asked.
Ex-Governor Whitman, after q few
more questions of like nature. to
which he objected and was sustained bv