New-York tribune., 1919-04-04
Senator Admits lie Heard
S5OO.OG0 Had Been Sent
to Albany to Help Pass
seven-Cent Fare Bill
Promises Details Later
Declines TO Disclose Name
of 'EN-Covernor' Said 10
BE Active as Lobbyist

Staf Correspondence
ALBANY, April 3.-Senator George
r. Thompson, chairman OF the Senate
Public Service Committee. admitted
part OF the responsibility for the story
OF half million dollar slush fund to
accelerate the Martin bill, which would
give power TO the Public Service Com
mission to raise the fare on strcetcar
lines notwithstanding existing fran
chlses, agreements or contracts. Be
fore the Senate Judiciary Committee.
which was directed to Mvosticatc the
report to-day, he admitted he had told
the correspondent of "The New. York
American" he had heard of such fund.
The story told by the unnamed in
formants, Senator THOMPSON said. was
that bribe money had been brought to
Albany to accelerate the course OF the
Martin bill throught the Legislature.
He was invited BY Senator Alvah ".
Burlingame, ir., chairman, to appear
before the committee ncXt Tuesday
morning and submit promised details
}. +. Watson, CORES pondcnt of "The
American and Daniel Breen, Of "Thc
Evening World" appeared before the
committee They refused to give in
formation further than that they had
written stories in their papers. Both
Senator Thompson and Mr. Watson dc
clincd to say who was referred to in
"Thc American" as the "ex-Govcrnor"
corrected with the story.
Approached by Lobbyists
Senator Thompson said the story be-
gan last year with the attempt to re-
peal the cighty-cent gas law in New
York City
1T is true" he said, that gave IN
formation 10 newspaper men TO the
effect that | had learned there was a
100000 fund available for the passage
of the seven-cent fare bill
Il gave the reporters this informa-
ton because ! believe that as "A pub
lie official | have no right to conceal
information that a traction company
is said TO be ready and willing to
spend half a million dollars for a
special legislative purpose.
5lcn Of high standing very high
and men of low standing so low that
their names would appear ridiculous
If mentioned here have approached
me with reference - shis seven cent
fare bill.
Didn't See Money, Dut"----
perhaps they just wanted TO knoa
the state Of my mind or my conscience
a. it were. Ii my mind responded tc
one suggestion the lobbyists would
likely be ready for another step in the
programme. You know, they don't al
ways make bold propositions not il
they don't know you"
"Did a1sy ore 5how you any Of this
$y0c,oO0?" ?" a5ned Senator Burlingame
chairman Of the committee
80, didn't ser shc actual color Of
the money" replied Senator Thompson.
Towar1 the end " the hearing Sen
ator Thompson made this statement:
The new sgaper stor'es published on
the information given by me are fully
Jpatifable and stand for them"
"ff there war basis for 'hc stories. -
eaid Senator knight, "why didn't you
conzult the Senate in the nrst place
and not 20 20 the newspapers With
your story of alleged bribery plans ?"
permit me to remind the Senator
'hft have already asked the senate
70 make a thorough invcsti1atiDn Of
iobt1jsts IN aDd about this building.
Perhaps you can tell me why haven't
got anJ &etion. However, shall
agaiH asA the Senate 10 Investigate
!obbyiate"