The New York herald., 1921-07-27
LUSK NOT TO RESIGN
SENATE LEADERSHIP
Justifies Acceptance Of Gift
Of Silver From Detectives
as an Albany Custom.
SAYS ALL GET PRESENTS
Meyer, Who Did Not Even Get
a Bunch of Violets, Cannot
Put Him Off Committee.
SAYS ALL GET PRESENTS

Clayton r. Lusk is not considering
seriously the proposal made by Tam
many legislators that ne resign as a
member OF the Meyer Investigating
Committee and as majority leader OF
the State Senate because OF the fuss
being made about his acceptance OF Il
&1.131 silver service from New York
detectives. IN whose interest he forced
through bill giving to them life grips
on their jobs and increases In salary.
IT'S the custom; everybody does
1t In Albany" is the substance OF the
Senator's explanation and defence OF
an act which for a week has overs
shadowed The investigation of the
HyIan administration: has started po-
litical trouble In the State and which
may result In any entirely new deal
in the Legislature next session.
While Mr. Lusk stated yesterday. in
giving his views OF why II was all right
for him to accept the valuable gift, that
II Is a matter Of common knowledge and
has been for years that Senators and As
semblymen receive valuable gifts every
year. the Senator refused to mention
names or cases.
Meyer Won't Ask Ressgnat tfoa.
Senator Meyer announced that the
committee of which he Is chairman has
no intention Of asking Senator Lusk to
resign as result or the silver cheat con-
troversy. Mr.. Meyer said neither he
nor the, committee had any authority
over LUSH The iatter ns majority ieadcr
Of the Senate II a member cx-off.oio of
the committee, ~ Of all committees OF
tho Senate, Of which there are twenty
six. 1t is doubtful whether Lusk could
resign from the committee unless he
gave UP his Leadership. II he were to
resign as majority leader then he would
cease automatically to be a member OF
the Meyer Committee.
Both Lusk and Meyer denied they had
heard from Gov Miller concerning the
silver present II has been reported that
the Governor was displeased over tho un-
expected turn In che conduct of the city
Investigation and might make an effort
to put the Meyer Committee on Its feet
or stand 1t on its head.
Are you considering reeigning from
the committee and from the leadership Of
the Senate?' Mr.. Lusk was asked.
II am not. not for a moment he an
swered. 81 have not given It a thought"
did you consider the silver service
was given as compensation for what you
had done for the detectives?"
Not at all. II was a gift from friends
whom had known for years and with
whom often had dined. They got up a
big dinner for me and In their enthu-
slasm got this fund for the present"
There was no irnpropriety. Ia accept
ing II. them
S.That has been the custom, for many
years Nearly every member Of the
Legislature has received presents from
his friends
Present. Common at Albany.
AS expensive presents as the silver
scrvice?'
"I don't know how expensive they
were. but that Is . very common thing
that always has becn done"
Can you remember OF any other valu-
able present having been given TO a
legislator
IT don't care TO say anything abou,
that. You will have to get information
on tha. from other sources. I do not
care to discuss II further. But IL an
were made all those things
could be found OUT
You intend TO keep the silver SER
vicey'
"1f you can sugEes.y any one who
wants II and to whom I can give II 90
Il will do sonlc good I will give II 10
thera." the Senator said and laughed.
He ,iso made this statement:
There are q number OF men IN city
departments who know the Meyer COM
mittee has the goods on them. They
also know. that the evidence will ali
come otr in a few DAYS ard that there
Is no chance for them TO clear them
selves so they are adopting methods ol
besnnirchipR others In connection with
the committee BY innusndo. suggestion
and repeating alleged rumor."
Senator Meyer was asked 20 enlarge
upon Lusk's statement that the COM
rnittee has the goods on city officials.
Meyer said he had no comment TO make
Asked whether no had responded 70 the
request os Asscmblyman Maurice
Block. Tsmmnny member. 70 consider
taking action regarding Jusk's position
on the committee. Senator Meyer ssid
II have m control over tho situation.
Tho committee was created by special
resolution adopted BY the legislature
Tho majority and minority leaders of
the two bodies are by terms OF tha,
resolution ex-oficio members OF the
committee and the members Of the COM
mittee have no authority 10 change Us
membership. I know OF no presents
having been given iesislstora 7 never
received even bunch OF violets."
Cornelius J. Brown and James J.
Ce~sn. detective serecants testified
again yesterday before David Hirsh-
neid. Commissioner of Accounts. regard
Inc their knouiedge Of the lobby fund
raised 10 put through the bill. Asked
why the Smith bill, first agreed upon.
was reprinted and reintroduced under
Lu-k's name. Brown said
Senator Lusk told US that Senator
Smith had gotten from under the bin
and asked us as a favor to keep that
quiet. Hs did not want to hur. Smith
and hoped II would not hurt him. Lusls
said no had tried 70 bring tho bill ou,
as n committee measure. but could not
get II out and 80 had decided to Give Il