The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-06-21
MGR. DUNN ANSWERS
HACKERS OF MAYOR
Assumes Writer Of Letter
Signed by Noted Citizens Was
Misled or Deceived.
REVIEWS STRONG INQUIRY

Mgr. John j. Dunn. chancellor Of the
New York dioc, Sc OF the Roman Cath
Ollie Church. made public last night n
pamphlet of six pages addressed "To the
Noted Citizens Who Back the Mayor"
II is his reply to the letter indorsing the
Mayors course in the charities inquiry
hat was published on Monday. signed
10y forty men. including Il. II. Gary,
George W. Wickersham Joseph II.
Choate and Oscar :. Straus.
In his pamphlet Mgr. Dunn says the
letter of the forty citizens seems In
tended as a criticism of ourselves" but
that the criticism does not apply. He
assumes that the writer Of the letter was
misled or deceived, and adds on this
point:
I'VE feel sure that IL YOU had followed
the course OF the Strong commission and
the city authorities and their unheard OF
and indefensiblc procedure YOU would
not rave lent your nam,s 10 this ublica-
ton, when not only broadly conveys "A
false impression, but is a direct and fnal
criticism OF ourselves and IL as unjust
and undeseryed as much that has gone
before it,"
Mgr. Dunn. reviewing the Strong in
v~cstigation. says:
As the investigation went on We
learned OF the s%chetning which resulted
In the appointment OF Mr.. Strong. The
Governor was asked by Mr.. Folks both
for the commission and the commissioned
10y name. Mr.. kirgsbury was in Albany
with Mr.. Folks. and on the evening OF
that sam, day | am told Mr.. Folks was
In company with Mr.. strong IN Albany.
Here We have the entire organization to
investigate the state board created by
the representative OF In. city govern
| ment and his sponsor. Had We known
this at the beginning We do not hesitate
now to say We would have refused to
submit those in charge of our institutions
TO the commission and appealed to the
Governor. Surely he woNld never know
ingly have created such a travesty."
Mgr. Dunn mentions the Indictment Of
Commissioned kingsbury n william
II. Hotchk.ss by the Brooklyn Grand
, Jury and asks and wherein. since We
indorse your principles of civic govern
ment relating to charitable institutions,
are YOU justified. at this time. in com
= mending the Mayor FOR his courageous
stand" He adds:
W. have never objected 10 having
any OF our institutions inspected or in
vos'igated by the lawful authorities. civic
or state. on the contrary. W" HAY"
welcomed investigation. We did not oh.
jcct to an investigation by the Strong
Commission. After II began. for man!
reasons. only n few of which are stated
above. We objected to the manner and
, auimus Of ~ We objected To m!ss'at"-
nents. To- ISLANDERS. TO the insults shown
our sisters. to the Norcc defamatiuns. to
iuiuring the institutions. to iujuring the
state board. and last OF all, to the wire
- 4
To- honest criticism. We have objected
to attacks for sinister purposes"
! The sectarian issue, says Mgr, Dunn,
was not raised by the Catholics, hut 10y
witnesses before Commissioner strong.
by Mr.. k~ingbury and by the Mayor
when he accused the church the other
day Of conspiring to take possession Of
the city government. lie later narrowed
this down to "a few priests and his
'cureligionists.'
Mgr. Dunn also says Since these
charges of the Mayor. quite surprising
II true 'hut you must remember that
they have been changed. modified. mini
mixed, vampei and revamped almost
daily for sunl" time pastl. and his care
fully manufactured phonograms and
hearsay evidence In general are all IN
the hands Of the officers Of the law
would " not be the part ~ good citi-
h.nsh.p to wait until the courts decide
h"for" taking a stand? Finally.
"" invite YOU gentlemen to appoint a
committee Ia inspect our institutions at
any time convenient to Yourselves.
District Attorney Swami said Nrstcr-
day that he was not ready TO invrsti-
sat" the charges that crime had heru
committed IN tapping Of telephone wires
~ priests and Others. He has not dis
cussed the matter with Judgc Grain of
l,,pprYl SnsSinns aha - ut'1ttp 10 .k.