New-York tribune., 1919-05-10
He Emphatically Denie g
He Offered Citizenship
to Friend of Senator in
Exchange for His Vote
Cotino Says Orr Did 1t
New York Member Names
Secretary as Man Who
Urged Vote for Perkins
Continued from page /

Forty-fourth Street, thirty-sixth-h houl
speaking barrage started at noon yes
terday and will be laid down inces-
sanity until the hour of twelve is
struck tonight.
The Victory ship-the Calhoun-ia
steaming for New York harbor at full
speed. It's advance has been geared
to The progress of the loan campaign
The tagging held up the ship during
the early part Of the campaign, but
it is expected to arrive in the Victory
harbor on time.
Rear Admiral T.. j. Cowic, Navy
Liberty loan officer, yesterday sent The
following radio message to Command
er J.. H. Towers; commanding the
question: answered Mr.. Whitman.
"The Pratt bill was not before me-. I
have talked with several people about
the bill; it is similar to this"---
"The Carson Martin bill is practi-
Moss. .
Bill Not Before Him
81 stated to several people," said
the witness, that OF course l could
not act upon measure that was not
before me; that at the request, or
suggestion, can hardly say request,
OF the various persons, that I would
not send an emergency message for
IT; that at that time, think it was in
March year ago, my general posi-
ton was rather unfavorable ! would
not say what would do until the bill
WAS before me.
II never said that I would sign it
and | never said that I would veto it.
To that extent I took position. I
stated that it seemed to me that it
that that bill could pass, and + do not
helieve now that it could have passed.
think now that it would have been un-
wise to pass it at that session, but I
am not sure what I would have done
after careful consideration Of the bill,
because it was a large question and
people of large view and conscience in
regard to it were in doubt upon it, and
think the Legislature was quite in
doubt about it,
Q.-Well, in these conversations with
various persons, members Of the Legis-
lature and others, did you not cause it
TO ns. M Known n:,S that gou were antagonistic
Didn't Say He Wouldn't Sign
: Al don't know how to answer that
question, Mr.. Moss. You understand
it is an improper question What |
stated is the truth. l think it very
likely that some of the members Of the
Legislature did believe that I was not
favorable to the bill, and it was true; I
was not. But never stated that I
wouldn't sign it.
Q.-Do you know that it died in the
Committee on Rules because Of the be-
lief that you were opposed to it? A.
did not know it.
Q.-And' you did not do anything to
give it life or vitality? Al did not.
l declined to send an emergency mes
sage did state that had no objec-
tlon whatever to it's being introduced.
GIN March of this year did you
talk with General Vanderbilt about
being retained by the Interborough
of increased revenue? A-With refer
enve to the subject Of Increased reve-
nue., 1 think General Vanderbilt some
weeks before we were retained asked
me If my Arm was in a position to do
some law business for the e'Interborough
+ His Talk With Vanderbilt
Q.-.Ir the conversation with Gen.
/: cral Vanderbilt was not the financial
situation of the railroad discussed? A
I think he said he thought things
were fnsrather a had way,
Q.-And didn't you understand that
the particular reason why it was de.
sired to have your firm added to the
legal assistants of the company was
because the finances Of the compan,
we're in bad shape, owing to the in,
come being too small? A.--Well,
suppose the finances were in bad shape
because the income was too small. That
was not the language he used. He saic
the road was in bad shape, and they
! needed more counsel and wanted tc
know if we could accept retainer.
Q.-And was the tendency of the
you and the general? A.-Never.
=. Q.r7When did you first talk to Mr.
Shonts about the proposed retainer
At was, perhaps, about March 18 OF
20, or later.
Ietts Of Conrersation
He Had With +. p. Shonta