New-York tribune., 1919-04-12
.x.Covernor, He Asserts,
Asked Him to Support
7c Fare; Proposed Him
forCubegynatorialtionor
Burke on Stand
Denies Charge
Declares He Did Not Offer
s5OO,OO0 Campaign
Fund for His Support
s.aF Correspondence

ALBANY. April 11.-Statc Senator
c.oroe F THOMPSON, who charges that
traction interests were ready to raise
s5o0oO0 campaign fund behind his
csnd;dacy for Governor if he would
support the Martin amendment to the
Public Service Commissions law, testi-
sed today before the Senate Judiciary
Committee. That body is conducting
an investigation into the matter of the
Martin amendment, which would en-
mower the Public Service commissions
n increase fares, notwithstanding pro-
visions in charters forbidding such in
creases.
Richard H. Burke, who deals in
streetcar supplies and was named
BY Senator Thompson as his inform
ant also was a witness before the
committee
Mr.. Burke acknowledged discussing
the legislation with Senator Thompson
and that ther~ had been talk of the
Goverporship, but he had made no sug-
gestion of bribery, he said. The state
ments which Senator Thompson made
under oath we're:
Synopsis of the Testimony
FIRST, That Ex-Governor Charles
Whitman urged him to get behind
the bill, telling him, at the same
time, that he was the only man up
state who could get the Republican
nomination for Governor
SECOND That Mr.. Whitman told
him that Theodore P. Shonts, pres
ident OF the Interborough, had sent
him to persuade Thompson to sup
ported tho bill.
THiRD, That Burke week prior
to the Whitman visit, had told him
= that the traction interests would
raise campaign fund up to $780,
200 for Thompson, and would get be-
hind him for Governor if he sup
ported the bill.
FOURTH, That Charles NJ. G..
thomas, treasurer of the Consoli-
dated Gas Company, in 1917 had
offered hlm 100000 to start trust
company in his home town after ef-
iorts had been made to get him to
xtand for legislation permitting the
gas companies in New York City to
.ase their rates.
FIFTH, That at the request of
Burke he visited John B. Stanchfeld,
counsel for the Interborough and
one time candidate for Governor on
the Democratic ticket He declared,
however that there was no improper
suggestion made by Stanchfield.
SIXTH, That at the request of
Burke ne visited Nicholas +. Brady
owner of large block of public utili
ties stocks. at his Fifth Avenue homo
to talk over the New York City trac-
ton situation. Thompson also OK.
onerated Brady from having made
improper suggestions to him
Burke Also Witness
Burke, who was the only otbor Wi.
ness to-day, admitted that he had talks
With Thompson, and that there had
been talk about the Governorshin. bn,
denied that there was any suegcstior
OF bribery made by him.
He swore that Thompson, follow;n,
visit to Stanchfield's law office said
Do you think Stanchfield would douhl,
cross me >"
Burke said he could not throw an,
light on this alleged cryptic expression
burke swore that it was at THOMPSON
solicitation that he took him to ss
ooth Brady and Stanchfeld. Burk
said that Thompson told him he wante
70 submit a scheme whereby the Ne,
iork CITY transit companies coul
enargc geven-cent fare Under thi
alleged plan the city was to lend none
10 the streetcar lines, keeping tw
:. cents on each fare collected as securit
the loans.
ne hearing was held in the senat
'aamoer. The first session was give
over entirely to Senator Thompso,
me chamber was crowded and stand
"s room was at a premium when tn
'sastor from Niagara took the stanc
ihe audience, which included all In
.sAs'Atiye leaders and the wives O
Ssostors and elective state official,
.Aeioaing hrs. Alfred E. Smith. lis
.sasd closely to Thonpson's story. Al
"s's waiting for Thompson to descrjb
1s alleged meeting he had with Gov
ssaor Whitman at the Hotel st. Revj
y eatqrday, March 20.
describes Whitman Interview
H'.sr Thompson had fnfshed will
< 81 sIory OF his meetings with Burke
spasy Attorney General Jerom
who conducted the exanina