The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-14
Opens Guns on Mayor When He
Fails to Name Corpora
ton Counsel.
USES wHITMAN'S NAME
District. Attorney Denies He's
Investigating Mitchell
Fund.

william Il. Hearets triendship--or what
passed for friendship-wlth John Furroy
Mitchell lasted Just twelve days after Mr..
Mitchell became Mayor. On the thirteenth
day Mr. Hearsts American came out with
story saying that District Attorney
Whitman had ordered an investigation
Of various funds collected in the campaign
of John purroy Mitchell for Mayor
This is what Mr.. Whitman had to say
about IL yesterday
There Ia not a word of truth i'll the
report that have started an investigation
OF Mayor Mitchcls campaign fund.
etio fur iol NuOdQns GU p.nssl ,Apu /.
ia that connection last night I was
called up on the telephone and told that
such information as the story contains
would be laid before me. but AS yet there
Is absolutely nothing on the matter In
my possession. or course IL Information
is submitted to me warranting any action
] viii do my duty and shall probably
issue sIibppuas.'
The political Interpretation placed upon
the proceeding was that Mr. Hearst was
merely giving Mr. Mitchell a warning.
The real point of dispute is the Cor
poration Counsel.
Mr.. Mitchel's inclination was to name
his law partner. George V. Mullan. Mr..
Hearst's favorite was Montgomery Hare.
Samuel s. Koenig. president of the Re-
publican county committee, had n dozen
candidates. From the Hearst camp came
stories that Mullan had the backing Of
ex- Senator William H. Reynolds. the Ions
Island real estate operator. Along with
the mention of Senator Reynolds's name
story was told Of a $4,000 campaign
contribution which did not appear on any
list.
The effect of the agitation in favor Of
Montgomery Hare was the momcntary
elimination OF George V. Mullan from the
race But 10y killing of Mullan the Hare
partsans did not succeed in making Mr..
Mitchell name their man. Mr.. Mitchell
turned to Frederick II. Coudert. an indie
pendent Democrat Of standing and AN old
enemy OF Mr.. Hearst. When Mr.. Mitchell
did not revert to Hare after Mr.. Coudert
refused the place a report went out that
Hearst and Mitchell were ON the verge OF
break.
The next incident in the ticklish situa-
tion was Mr. MitcheIs Offer To make
Clarence j. Shearn Public Service Com
missioner In place OF John r. Eustis. Mr..
Shearn would not take the place.
This refusal of Mr.. Shearn was In effect
an ultimatum from Mr.. Hearst to MIR.
Mitchell to name tn" Hearst candidate to
the Corporation Counsel's office.
There was no mention yesterday In the
4 merfcdts story OF the supposed Rey-
nolds contribution. but list Of contribu-
tors was printed. among whom were Vim
cent Astor. George W. Perkins, Seth Low
and various restaurant proprietors. The
man who was reported To- be under sub
p9na to appear before Mr. Whitman was
II. T. kerbaugh an aQueduct contractor.
who was cited as having contributed three
$500 bills. Kerbaugh was mentioned by
John ~ Hennessy in the John Doe pro-
ceedngs ms one OF the contributors to the
Democratic Stat. committee. IIennessy
said George II. Mcclure told him that Ker-
bough gave $4,000.
When Mr.. Mitchell returned to New
York last night he said he knew nothing
of the items on the Americon,s list. All
the contributions that come to him were
turned over to Frank l.. Polk. and were
reported according to law.