New-York tribune., 1914-11-17
SubpGnas Issued in Move
to Bare Scandal in Sur
veyOr'S Office.
FOR NEWS
SOURCE REFUSED
Mode of Inquiry Outlined
Which Federal PrOberS
May Garry Out.

Subppnas were issued yesterday for
the appearance before the federal grand
jury, now sitting, Of several employees
of the Surveyors office, who will be
asked to tell what they know of the
source and circulation of letters signed
with the name Of Representative
George W. Loft, chairman of the Demo
cratic county campaign committee,
which asked contributions for the cam
paign from workers under Surveyor
Thomas f. Rush
Gordon Auchincloss, Assistant United
States Attorney, who is conducting the
investigation. said yesterday that he
was not at liberty to disclose the num-
Der of subp9nas issued. or the names
of the persons summoned, or on what
days the subpqnas are returnable. II
is believed, however, that the grand
jury will hear the first witnesses to-
day.
Several days will be taken up, it is
thought, in the grand jury inquiry, for
the list of witnesses to be called is
lengthy. Mr.. Auchincloss was in
formed yesterday by United States At
torney General Gregory that he had re-
ferred the case TO the United States
Civil Service Commission in Washing
ton for investigation. But no intima-
tion was given whether the two in
quiries will be simultaneous or the
commission will wait until Mr.. Auchin-
Gloss has completed his case before the
grand jury here.
The fact that The Tribune published
the first story-one week ago this
morning that Surveyor Rush's en-
Dloyes had received the contribution
requests from Tammeny Hall, has re-
suited in a correspondence between II.
Snowden Marshall, United States Attor-
ney, and Ogden NJ. Reid, editor of The
Tribune. Mr.. Marshall asked that Mr..
Reid turn over to him the material on
which The Tribune stories were based.
Mr. Reid, in the final letter, sent to
Mr.. Marshall last night, makes clear
that the public interest would not be
served should this be done, for the
persons from whom many of the facts
were gained would be exposed to dis
cipline by their superiors in Office. Mr..
Reid has found 1t necessary TO refuse
MIR. Marshall's request on this OBJ
viously reasonable ground, while at
The same time pointing out that
enough leads for the United States At
torney's office have been stated or sug-
gested in The Tribune stories.
In one of Mr.. Marshall's letters he
states the investigation was opened
along the lines suggested by Mr.. Reid
The four letters exchanged follow:
Department of Justice,
Omitted States attorneys Office.
New York. November u, 1914.
"The Editor, New York Tribune, New
York City.
"Sir: have read the article appear
ing in the issue of your paper dated
November 10, 1914, entitled Election
Fund Scandal Puts Loft in Peril
"Inasmuch as this article raises the
question as 70 whether there has been
a violation Of Section 1i8 Of the Crimi
nal Code by any of the persons men
toned in the article, deem it my duty
to investigate fully the charges recited
in the article.
81 shall appreciate very much your
communicating with my assistant, Mr..
Auchincloss, whatever evidence you
may have tending to support the vari-
Gus statements contained in this arti
Gle. | trust you will let Mr.. Auchin
Gloss hear from you in the near future.
Respectfully,
al. SNOWDEN MARSHALL,
"U. s. Attorney"
New York Tribune