The sun., 1919-05-02
MOSS GETS BURKE
TO ADMIT HE LIED
Counsel Clash in Traction
Bride Inquiry Over I'm
peaching Questions.
KILLING" THREAT MADE
Witness Used False Name
When He Met Thompson
to Win His Favor.
Special DespatcA to The Sun.

Special Despdtch to THE Sun.
ALBANY, May Hot encounters be-
tween Frank Moss counsel for Senator
George F. Thompson Of Niagara, and
Richard H. Burke. the Federal Signal
Company agent who is accused by the
Senator of conveying to him a $500, 900
bride offer IL he would support the In
creased trolley fare BILL marked the re-
sumption to-day Of the Senate judiciary
Committees Investigation Of the trac-
ton lobby
The committee was In session less than
two hours when 1t adjourned until to-
morrow. 1t was decided to meet In New
York city on next week Thursday, Fri
day and Saturday. Former Gov. Whit
man will be recalled for cross-examina-
ton by Mr. Moss IL the committee will
permit, and Mr.. Moss expects to call
other prominent New Workers. to clear
the situation.
Mr.. Moss's insistent questioning to-day
In an attempt to discredt Mr.. Burke
reracity by admissions from the witness
kept every one excited. After a series
OF clashes over the propriety of asking
certain questions Mr.. Moss declared that
the real thing before the committee is.
Who is telling the truth. Burke and
Whitman on one side or Thompson on
the other?" and he urged the committee
to take heed of the fact that in its keep
Ing are mot only the rights but the rep
utation of a member d your own body"
After the hearing Mr.. Moss said that
one problem is whether Senator
Thompson Is to get square deal before
square committee.
'Ill let the committee write it's own
record" said Mr.. Moss.
Senator Burlingame's comment when
questioned as to the committees atti-
tude in holding up Mr.. Mosss examina-
ton of Mr.. Burke along certain lines
was that the doors are open to any
legal evidence that Mr.. Moss or Senator
Thompson may want to offer. but now
that both sides are represented by coun-
sci the rules OF legal evidence must be
followed"
Hints at Thompson Indictment.
Two or three times during the after
noon Burke tried to tell story about
being sent by Senator Thompson to the
District Attorneys office in New York
to stop an indictment against Thomp-
son. but was stopped. Chairman Bur-
lingame ruling that his own counsel
could examine him on that point when
the time comes.
There was another flash when Mr..
Moss asked Mr.. Burke IL he lived with
his wife and supported his four children.
to each question the witness replying
That's none Of your business"
Mr.. Burke objected to these ques-
lions, but Mr.. Moss replied that the wit
ness had provoked the questions.
We'll. you provoked something that
| will kill YOU" said Burke.
Il won't be killed by you, Mr.. Burke, "
retorted Mr.. Moss. There have been
too many on that Job before"
mo. but that gentleman at the other
| end OF the table will be-" retorted
Burke, pointing at Senator Thompson.
Some took this as a threat against
Thompsons life. but others regarded 1t
| as applying only to politics and the
present inquiry.
When the hearing began to-day the
testimony given in New York by John
b, Stanchfield was read into the record.
| Mr.. Stanchfleld said talk of the $500. 900
fund was 'idlest nonsense" and as for
finance Senator Thompson's campaign
| he said:
II have been Democrat all my life.
never have been interested in par
ceiling out Republican nominations for
the Governorship."
Mr.. Stanchfield admitted seeing Sena-
! tor Thompson twice, and said the matter
! of an investigation OF the financial con.
ditions Of the marlborough and B, r. It
! was talked over. Mr.. Stanchfield said he
knew Burke, but denied having been APP
preached by Burke for n loan OF SIS. 200
for Senator Thompson. as Burke alleged
Counsel Appears for Burke.
| Clark L. Jordan OF New York ap.
| peared as attorney for Burke, and de-
manded that before the cross examina-
| ton of his client went on Senator
| Thompson should be cross-examined Ia
see II there is any reason why Burke. "a
| citizen OF the State, should be called here
and grilled."
Burke should know what he is
charged with before the case proceeds
| said Mr. Jordan.
| Chairman Burlingame said that II Mr.
| Jordan read the record he must realize
| that an issue has been drawn to some
extent"
II don't know that II will make any
practical difference to Mr. Burke, except
| that II there is a charge here OF a Grim
| inal nature then we would like to show
| In advance. II we can, that II was
actuated by something except a motive
of purity" said Mr.. Jordan, commenting
on the fact that the paper which printed
the original story of the bride offer con-
tanned to-day a story that Mr. Moss was
to seek indictments as a result OF dis.
| closures.
! After getting Mr.. Burke's age, 4.
years next June, Mr.. Moss asked
did you begin your Acquaintance,
| with Senator Thompson with a false
| hood?"
| MYea renlied Burke adding that h,