New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-23
Won SKAL STEPS OUT.
TAKES PLACE.
Mayor Makes Change to Push
Ahedrn Inquiry.

George Won Skal, Commissioner Of Accounts,
resigned his office yesterday afternoon, and
Mayer Mcclellan appointed in his place John
PurrOy Mitchell, special assistant Corporation
Counsel, who has been conducting the Ahearn in
quiry before Commissioners of Accounts Hertle
and Won Skal. It is understood that before long
Mr. Won skal will be appointed to something as
good as the place he surrendered.
Mayor Mcclellan following the announcement
by the Governor that the city had power to in
vestigate its own departments without help
from the Legislature. decided that the services
of a lawyer among the Commissioners of Ac-
counts We're necessary. and as Mr.. Won skal is
not lawyer he made way for Mr Mitchell.
The quick shift came as a surprise TO all.
Martin w Iittleton. counsel for Borough Presi
dent Ahearn, contended that his client need not
answer a summons to testify before the Com
missioners of Accounts, and that they could not
bring in counsel to assist them He advised
Mr.. Ahearn TO refuse to appear. The Mayor and
Corporation Counsel decided that the best way
around the obstacle to appoint Mr. Mitchell.
who is thoroughly conversant with the needs Of
the present investigation.
Now if the Borough President and his heads
of bureaus refuse to testify the Corporation
Counsel will take immediate steps to have them
arraigned for contempt If the courts hold that
the officials are not bound to testify the Mayor
will at once ask Governor Hughes to facilitate
his efforts toward Investigating the city depart
ments and Mr.. Ahearn's office. The Governor
last week, when Corporation Counsel Ellison
conferred with him, said that if the city lacked
authority to do its own investigating the Legis-
lature would try to supply it.
The Mayor made the following statement:
In view of the situation as expressed in the pub
Wednesday, and with view of furnishing the
Commissioners OF Accounts with legal talent so that
the present investigation Of the department OF the
Borough President OF Manhattan. and such other
az may b9 & 9upd oGSaoe end may 6 %
out retaining special counsel have today ap1
signed.
but in view Of the labor ahead OF the commisSl9n-
ers ana the nature OF ~ ne, neGre, @ tS,t HT.lgS -
Vices Of Mr. Mitchell who is now entirely familiar
with the affairs Of the department undergoing in
vestgation.
The shift simply means that we going
ahead with the inquiry" said Corporation Coun-
sci Ellison Mr. Mitchell is now a commits
sioner and Mr.. Iitteton ought not to object
to his conducting the inquiry. Mr.. Ahearn asked
for the investigation. and we are doing our best
to comply with his request The Governor says
that we have power to conduct our own investi-
cations and agree with him. think that the
investigation Of the Borough Presidents office.
as well as other departments. will be fair and
rigorous"
THE Mayor he's a right to chsnge his depart
mental employees as well as TO change his mind"
said Borough President Ahearn, when asked
what ne had to say about the change in inquis-
tors Mr. Ahearn said that he should be guided
wholly by his counsel, Mr.. IAttleton. II was
rumored last night that Mr. Won Skal would be
appointed tax commissioner. but later It was
learned that some one else is slated for that
place.
The most surprised at the shift yester-
day was Commissioner Won Skal He used 10 be
managing editor of the "Staats-Zetung" and is
a close personal friend of Herman Ridder. The
inquiry was dragging along uninterestingly yes
terday' afternoon between > and 3 o'clock, and
Mr. Won Skal was doing in his chair. having
been up late the night before. He was suddenly
startled by having Herman RIdder rush up 10
him and tell him that another man was 70 be
appointed in his place. but that 1t was all right,
and so forth Then followed q hurried consul
tation with the Mayor and Mr.. Won Skars resig-
nation. Mr. Mitchell sent for, appointed
a Commissioner Of Accounts and sworn IN. Then
II occurred to Commissioner Hertle that it
about time 10 adjourn the hearing
Previous 10 adjournment George +. ScanneI.
Superintendent of Highways; Chief Engineer
George r. Olney and William II. Walker SUI
perintendent Of Buildings and Offices in Mr..
Ahearn's Office. were asked to testify. Each
said that on the advice OF Mr. Littleton he would
refuse
The three witnesses were warned by Com
missioner Hertle that they were liable TO be
prosecuted for contempt of court for not an
swerng the questions put TO them by Mr..
Mitchell The latter said the only legal excuse
that could be made by ScanneH, Olney and
Walker was that their answers would tend to
degrade and nCriminate them.
After the answers Of the recalcitrant wit
nesses had been obtained for the record MT
Iittleton withdraw from the hearing. It is
understood that he viii apply to the Supreme
Court for an order staying the hearing until the
question Of jurisdiction has been decided.