New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-11
Port Surveyor Demands
Civil Service and
Jury Inquiries.
INVESTIGATION WAS
ALREADY UNDER WAY
Accused Representative
Denies His Appeal
Broke Law.

paicr from employees in the Office of
Thomas T. Rush. Surveyor of the Port,
on letters signed by Representative
George ". Loft. were followed by
vigorous action yesterday afternoon.
n. Snowden Marshall, United States
District Attorney, announced that he
would begin an investigation at once.
7. is rcported that he has already
sen. the details Of The Tribunes story
- Attorney General McReynolds, at
Wash rtou. and that by noon to-day
he inquiry viii BE i'm the first stages
o. preparation FOR presentation to a
fedora, grand Jury here.
Corcressneu who were IN Washing
ION Yesterday lthe session begins De
,embe, n declared that. unless a full
and whole hearted investigation OF
Representa,ive Lofts connection with
.,e scandal yeas made by the Civil
Service Commission they would insti-
tr,e an appeal 10 Congress for the ap-
continent Of @ committee Of inquiry.
Less than half hour after Mr..
Marshall had told a Tribune reporter
Of his intention 20 have the situation
investigated. he received letter from
SBrvevor Rush. demanding a Federal
Grand Jury inquiry. Following its re-
CENT lrr Marshall said to newspaper
nea:
ar shall. certainly look into this. Mr..
Rush. letter did not come to me until
sfer I had heard Of the case through
The Tribune. and have not yet had
chance 70 20 into the matter. 1t will,
however. receive prompt attention
Rush Issues Statement.
Nr Rush did not stop with his de-
na,d 20 Mr.. Marshall, as the follow
i7r statement issued by him shows:
Thomas T. Rush. Surveyor Of the
por.. responded Immediately TO the
charge appearing in The New York
Tribune this morning, by demanding
not only an investigation Of the charge
5v The Federal Civil Service Commis-
sion. bu. also an inquiry by the Fed
eral Grand Jury. through United States
Dis.rc. Attorney Marshall.
"5'r Rush further states that he is
informed by a number of his subor-
d.nates that they had received during
This campaign circular letters from
Frederick Tanner, Chairman Of the Re
publican State Committee, requesting
csnraign contributions, and that the
practice heretofore has been for the
Republican campaign committee 20 dun
'he employees with three successive ap-
Desls for funds: he has accordingly
requested both the Federal Civil Ser
tce Commission and the United States
District Attorney 70 extend their in
,est.ea-on so as 20 include not only
the c'rcularzation Of the department
.h.s year. but also Of all previous years.
"Nr Rush denies absolutely any
knowledge Of the manner i'm which the
name, and addresses Of his employees
we're obtained and suggests that in all
probability Nr Donohue. the treasurer
~ Tammanv. borrowed from the Re
publican organization the list, which
10 has had in use for many years"
The Surveyor refused TO see re-
porter Tor The Tribune, referring him
60 Special DEPUTY Surveyor George j..
Smvth Mr. Smyth said he did not
know how the remarkably up-to-the-
minute address list got 20 Tammany
Han.
Loft Talks of Libel Suit.
Representative Loft said he would
ro- JOIN Mr. Rush i'm the demand for an
invest cation.
"I an not at all worried over this"
hc said con the other hand ! con-
suited one of the best attorneys IN the
city to-day and ! have asked him 20
begin an action for libel against The
Tribune.
"It has been a point with the Demo
cra"c County Campaign Committee, OF
which ] am chairman, 70 ask no con-
thuf0ns from persons who could
ro. afford 20 contribute. ! know that
'-e federal employees are paid less for
tfrr services than any other workers
and J would like to give them more
money.
"The line on the bottom Of the let
'er. This communication is not IN
'.HnNH TOT OtfcchOlders or CoTpoi a
tore. was put there so that if the let
'ers happened 10 reach persons IN the
cty. state or federal service they
would know they were not privileged
to contribute. ! know the law"
"N.d YOU make any inquiry as 20 the
occupations of the persons 10 whom
these soliciting letters we're 10 be
ac'''' the reporter asked.
'llat would be too tremendous an
undertaking." he replied
"pid YOU see the list?'
'l did not"
"D'd YOU sign all OF the letters
"I do not recall now"
Have you ever delegated the duty
0. signing your name TO letters 20 any
0'aSr aSi. person.
McIlhenny Has Not Heard.
To whom Mr. Rush sent his demand
Tor a Civil Service investigation was
rot revealed az the Custom House yes
terday John A. Mcllhenny. president
O.: the United States Civil Service
Commission. whose Office is in Wash
4gton, said he had received no word
from the Surveyor. but, as Mr.. Rush
Continued on page 1. column
Americas Favorite
Stin POLAND WATER Aerated