New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-03-30
TO HEAR cROPSEY FIRST
Grand Jury Begins inquiry as to
Crimes Increase To-day,
BATTLE SEES THE MAYOR
Neither Will Discuss Report That
Gaynor Was Invited to An
swer Corrigan.

Police Commissioner frODScN Viii nc the
first one 10 testify before the grand Jury
charged by Judge O'Sullivan, OF tho Court
Of General Sessions. 70 investigate the
stories Of maladministration OF the Police
Department. Assistant District ATTORNEY
Frank Moss said yesterday that Commits
sioner Cropsoy. in all fairness n him as
IN oftcisl yitanv concerned, will receive an
opportunity to-day. when the investigation
begins. 70 make any statement no desires
hearing upon the subject
MIR Moss will he in charge n the
inquiry. assisted by George Gordon Battle,
,he former Assistant District Attorney,
whose special assignment by District Attor-
ney Whitman to divest the affair Of any
political significance. and by Assistant Dis
irict Attorney James e Reynolds.
The entrance Of the District Attorney s
Office into the controversy regarding 20
ice affairs in the city. he made it clear.
was the natural consequence of tho in
.,ruc-ions Of Judge O'Sullivan directing
the grand Jury 70 investigate the charges
~ Magistrate Corrigan and others at
tributing al increase In crime in the city
70 demoraliza ton Of the police force by
inefficient management
The District Attorney and tho nudge
oharcing the grand jury are rs legal ad-
v1sers Nessrs Moss, Reynolds and Bat
tie will supply that body with All the as
,,stance possible IN collecting evidence and
examining witnesses summoned To throw
light upon the subject under inquiry
Experts in stuatlon.
II was pointed ont yesterday that the
long experience of N1r Battle I'm the bis
trict Attorneys office. the experience %.
NJ Moss. both as = prosecuting office
and as q police commissioner. and tho on
pArience Of M Reynolds as an invosu-
gator will make them a trio that ought 10
ne able 70 get nj the bottom Of any irrecu-
larities or ineficiencv on the part Of the
officials who VIII he brought within the
grand iury's Searchlight
Although the investigation will not start
until to-day. the effect Of The announcement
hat Fl was about 10 start has already had
SIS effect IN certain quarters which will
come under scr7ltinv before IL IS completed.
One ~ the most noticeable was th6 absence
~ women from tho streets in sections Of the
ottv heretofore infested by them
The rrcprietors Of saloons who for many
months under Mayor Gavnor's excise
policy" have been keeping open after
hours and doing rushing back room
business on Sundays arc also becoming
wary sc 20 tho patrons 81 their places
during the prohibited hours.
George Gordon Rattle called ou Mayor
Gaynor Yesterday IN the city Hal % was
reported that his visit had 10 do with Tho
barge Of Magistrate Corrigan that Mayor
C-avnor. as tho citvs chief executive. was
responsible for existing conditions I'm the
I'olice Department II was also reported
mat Mr.. Battle had offered tho Mayor an
opportunity 10 20 before tho grand jury.
When que~ticueG regarding his conference
with tho Manor. Nj Battle refused io dis
,uee is. Asked n no had extended an M
sIatiou to him To- testify before the grand
sorry. Nj. Battle repeated his refusal
Wit yor DENY. Mr. Rattlc. tlat Tho pur-
.o-r a. vour cali ou She Mayor was to in
,,t, him 60 testify before the grand Jury
H' was asked.
wiz not discuss IT," Do replied. ANY
'.ug on that matter wiz lave ia come
Hou The Mayor"
when Navor Gsvuo, WAS approached lo
declined 20 talk about Nr Battles call