New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-31
Whitman May Take Results
of Quiet Investigation
to Grand Jury.
BOARD DIVIDED OVER
SCHULTZE CHARGES
Physician Who Would Abolish
: Present System Accused or
Delaying Autopsy.

A, ,rvss.isation OF the Coroners OF
Ar. now under way. may. IT Is SAID
tad N a grand jury inquiry through
the District Attorneys once. h''oen0e
OF irregularities among employees OF inc
coroner's ONCE is understood TO haVe
heen ATTAINED. one report yesterday was
to The effect that the inquiry would De-
gin tomorrow.
Mr. Whitman said yesterday that no
data relating to an investigation OF inc
Coroner's Office had as yet been turned
over 10 him with a view OF possioie
grand fury action. II is understood
however. that the District Attorneys OF
Zee has been in touch with the invesu-
cation Of the Coroner's once Tor some
weeks past.
A snecial committee of the Mumcipa!
Civil Service Commission has been con-
Quoting a quiet investigation for several
weeks. and il has been supported by
those interested in the bill recently IN
PRODUCED In the Legislature TO aoohsh the
coroner's office The committee is ex-
neoted later on to make formal report
which probably will be presented to Gov
ernor Glynn.
II was said that enough had alreans
been shown as a result OF the investiga-
tion 10 warrant Controller Prendergast
in holding UP the pay checks OF some OF
the coroners and their physicians ana
empIoyes The investigation is said TO
have shown that no regular system ol
certifying the working time of clerks ana
other employees had been in practice.
Some employees were said to nave pract-
cally kept their own hours.
Information that the secretaries OF
some OF the coroners have not been doing
all the work they we're paid for Is sara
to have come TO the committee, ana ths'
the neglected" work has been done by
civil service employees in control OF the
ooroners.
More serious charges. said TO be under
contemplation by the investigating COM
mittee. may be directed against coroners
Dhvsjcians and some Of the coroners
themselves.
A sharp alignment in the board OF cor
orners and their physicians has developed
on account of the charges OF insubordina-
lion made against DR.. Otto II. Schultze'
coroner pDNSltld L iiN '''sN 80
Schultze charges will be resumed to-day
before the Board OF Coroners in the
Municipal Building. Friends OF Dr'
Schultz declare that the charges were
'trumped UP" because OF his support OF
legislation TO abolish the board and place
the coroner's work in the hands or
.chief medical examiner Coroner Rior-
dan is lined up with DR.. Schultze In the
present controversy.
Dr. Schultze is charged with not obey
ing an order OF Chief Clerk Antonio
Dalessandro, Of the board. and neglecting
to perform an autopsy on the body OF
negro woman for several hours after she
had died in Harlem Hospital Coroner
Fenberg. chairman Of the board, will pre-
side at to-day's hearing. Almuth {. Van
diver. former Assistant District Attorney.
is counsel for DR.. Schultze. and Assistant
Corporation Counsel Sweeney represents
the Baord OF Coroners.
To show the motive" for the charges
against DR.. Schultze. Coroner Feinberg
placed in evidence at the close OF the
last hearing letter from Mrs. Lillian
Campbell daughter of the woman who
died in Harlem Hospital. asking for an
investigation OF the delay IN the autopsy.