New-York tribune., 1914-11-11
CHARGES AGAINST
PROBE WITNESS
Thorne, Who Testified in
Civil Service Inquiry,
Suddenly Accused.
INTIMIDATION HINT
AROUSES NEU'S IRE
Coudert Persuades Kingsbury
to Suspend Action While
Hearing Is in Progress.

Frank Moss, Special Deputy Attor-
ney General, at yesterdays session OF
the inquiry of the State Civil Service
Commission into the Municipal Civil
Service Commission. in his cXamina-
tion Of J. Mckee Borden, secretary oil
the Department of Public Charities
elected the information that charges
had been preferred against Angus T.
Thorne by Commissioner Kingsbury as
the result Of Thorne's testimony be
fore the state commission.
Mr.. Thorne, who is the superintend-
cnt Of the Bureau of Dependent Adults
testified two weeks ago that woman
named Mrs. Isabel Mullan, relative
of Tax Commissioner George '. Mul-
Ian. the Mayors former law partner,
had been reinstated IN her position at
the solicitation of Deputy Commis-
sioncr Doherty. Of the Charities De
partment. Thorne asserted that Mr..
Doherty had urged the reinstatement
OF the woman on the ground that the
Mayor was much interested in her
case" Mrs. Mullan had been dropped
for insubord failure 10 report
for duty after her transfer from an
other bureau TO that under the super
vision of Thorne.
When Mr.. Borden went on the stand
Yesterday Mr. Moss demanded IN be-
half Of the state commission 10 be m
formed whether or not charges had
been preferred against Thorne because
of his testimony, which charges we're
to have been heard this morning be-
fore Commissioner Kingsbury. Borden
declared that he knew nothing about
such a case except that he had heard
something concerning it,
Frederic r. Coudert special counsel
for the municipal commission inter
posed that the line Of inquiry appeared
10 be far afeld from the purposes OF
the investigation. To this objection
Mr.. Moss retorted:
"Mr. Coudert asked why IL is peril
nent and | viii say this: That ! am
informed by All attorney, Charles II.
Young. who called me on the tele-
phone. that one of the witnesses who
appeared before your inquiry, Mr.
Thorne. the other day and gave some
testimony has been served with
charges and required 70 appear TO be
lIItQ AO-iIoIlNN UNARiN NNtAAi4i Af.''''tNA
kingsbury for the testimony which he
gave here"
Assistant Corporation Counsel Stover
interrupted:
Mr.. Stover Not for Il.
Mr.. Moss-For il.
Mr.. Stover Not because he testified,
but because he testified falsely.
After some controversy Mr. Moss
l. h.Tvf- INN RI q Il
for his testimony before the state com
mission and it remained to be seen
whether or not he could be protected
Mr.. Coudert insisted that he knew
nothing about the matter, but 10 his
objections President Neu Of the state
commission rejoincd:
"The fact is simply this, that If Wit
nosses that come before this commits
sion, after they have testified in this
investigation, are TO be brought up on
charges while this Investigation Is go
ing on that kind Of action is likely 20
intimate almost any witness who may
happen TO come before US. II seems 10
me that if MIR. Thorne is TO be brought
I'D on charges tomorrow il is the duty
OF the counsel for this state commits
sion 10 appear before Commissioner
Kingsbury and i'm his behalf tomorrow
to ascertain just what is to be done"
President Neu went on TO say that he
did not intend to allow any further
policy Of intim dation 70 be pursued
against witnesses.
Just before the hearing adjourned
Mr.. Coudert said: "The information
which 7 received here to-day was the
first notice had that Commissioner
Kingsbury had placed Mr.. Thorne Oh
trial for false statements in his re-
cent testimony. | communicated with
Mr.. Kingsbury, and, 70 my regret
found that il was a fact that charges
had been preferred as stated, and
advised Mr.. Kingsbury that | consld-
eied it very unfortunate that such ac
ton had been taken at this time, anc
that, in my judgment, any question Of
Mr.. Thorne's actions should be held IN
allowance until the completion Of TINS
inquiry. Mr. Kingsbury Immediately
recognized the wisdom and judgment
of this and acquiesced readily IN my
advice.
Il desire TO state, as my own con
tention, that il is of the utmost m
portance that no employe of the city
should have the slightest fear in Civ
ing his testimony in any way
Among the most important reveia
tions Of the hearing was the testimon!
of Matthew Spalletto. twenty years old
an alien and not eligible for civil em
ployment, who figures among the forty
seven experts" appointed by Commits
sioner Kingsbury as examiners o.
charitable institutions" Mr.. Moss
pointed to this instance as an example
Of the maner in which the alleged ex
perts had been selected.