New-York tribune., 1911-11-04

scandal, asked Mayor Gaynor yesterday to
reveal the source OF the information on
which he based the statement he made
Thursday that 1t was said that the nom
inee had paid the Hearst League and Cas-
sidy for their nomination of him.
In reply the Mayor wrote last night that
he had not had time to trace statements,
but that they lad better see the Hearst
leaders In Queens County. He wrote:
City OF New York.
Office of the Mayor.
Dear Mr. De Witt: Your letter of this
date is at hand. That the Hearst League
convention nominated Willett Is as well
known to you as to me What induced It
10 DO so? In fact, the nomination was
iiXed up with the Hearst League first, as
| understand. In order to ascertain why
and how the Hearst convention came to
nominate Willett, and what the induce
ments were, ii Will be necessary. | sup
pose, TO get at the Hearst leaders in
Queens County. like Sheriff Quinn. of Long
Island City.
OF course. in the multitude of my duties
l have not had the time To trace state
ments and settle on witnesses. Hearst and
his leaders are all shouting that what they
call 'Tammany' nominated Willett. How
can that be? Tammany is the local Dem
ocratic organization in Manhattan 1t
could nominate no one over In Brooklyn
or Queens. What could il have 10 do with
the Hearst convention that nominated VIII
lett? Really, are people 10 he humbugged
Your letter is Joined in by an Assistant
District Attorney of New York County. l
do not include him in this answer, as the
District Attorney of New York County has
no jurisdiction whatever in your county.
If there be anything further ] can do for
you In the matter ] shall be very glad TO
do it, Very truly yours
W. J. GAYNOR, Mayor.
Hon. Fred G. Dewitt
District Attorney Queens County,
Long Island city. y. y.
The county prosecutors started their let
ter with a newspaper clipping. quoting the
statement of the Mayor as printed in all
the morning papers yesterday. They con-
tnued
The District Attorney. Frederick G. De
Witt, of Queens County and District At
torney Charles S. Whitman Of New York
County are at present engaged in Queens
County In conducting an investigation be-
fore the Hon. Townsend Scudder. justice
OF the Supreme Court of the state or New
York, sitting as magistrate, for the pur-
pcse OF ascertaining whether certain per-
sons are guilty of Illegally paying a sum
Of money 10 promote and procure the
nomination Of one William Willett for JUS
tice OF the Supreme Court of the I'd Judi
c,al District, by the Democratic party or
any other party.
IL YOU are correctly quoted by The
Sun" in the article TO which we here cali
your attention, Will you please ne eoou
enough to Immediately advise us by let
fer of the sources Of your information,
that is TO say, Of the names or persons
who said that Willett paid the Hearst
League and Leader CASSIDY for their
that YOU may have that Will lead TO the
discovery Of the truth OF the matter which
the District Attorneys referred 10 are at
~ Won are misouoted by The Sun" IN
the article 10 which we call your atten.
tion, we will be greatly obliged to you III
YOU will Immediately so advise us, -,
! II YOU are not misquoted by Inc sun
IN the article TO which we call your at
tertion. but cannot give us the names OF
| the person who said the thing whlch you
repeat. or the information which we ASK
will YOU please be good enough to so ad-
wise us2 . "a A.,
n is important TO the purposes Of the
trvestigation that an immediate answer 20
,bis letter be received from you, for the
ynason that Mr. Justice Scudder is anxious
! to conclude this inquiry az the earnest
| possible date.
In ,eeard 10 the statement Of Mayor
coyror that the nomination Of Willett was
eved IN with the Hearst League first.
,onraeertatiye Of the organization said last
r,obt that they knew nothing about the
nomination Of Willett until after IL hao
been made by the Democrats
The Democratic and Republican JUDICIARY
oo,,,entions were both held at noon, ana
,ba League convention was called Tor p
~ the same day. The leaders OF the
Taag,,e expected that the Republicans Woulo
nut Robert Stewart. member or thelr
organization, on the ticket IN Whlch case
rev intended To indorse the Republican
ticket Mr.. Stewart was not nominated
and the League convention adjourned that
night giving a committee power TO make
+ ,he nominations The following day II
,sred WiIIett among others.