New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-10
Swami Removed
AS Prosecutor in
Perjury Trials
Governor Orders Inquiry
Into Indictments on City
Clubs Plea
All Charges Denied
Hearings in Case Against Dis
trict Attorney Will Start
To-day
All Charges Denied

Albany. April Q. Governor Whitman
made a significant move to-day IN the
controversy growing out Of the City
Clubs charges against District A,tor-
rey Edward Swami. Tie directed Ac.-
4ng Attorney General Merton r.. Lewis
TO designate Alfred ]. Becker. Deputy
Attorney General, 20 supersede Di trc,
Attorney Swami IN the prosecution OF
certain indictments. mostly for per-
jury. which the City Club alleges were
nstigated by Nr swami in connection
with the accusation, recently lodged
against MIN.
The City Club requested the up
planting OF the District Attorney in the
prosecution Of these cases. and Mr
Becker, who went TO New York imme-
dia,eiy after he received his designa-
lion, win investigate the circums;a rcc,
nder which each Of these indictments
va secured. The City Club main
tanned IN It's seconG petition for the
District Attorney removal. fled with
the Governor las, wect. that be had
msused his powers in procuring the
bills against the defendants.
To Investigate Immediately
81 viii Immediately Investigate these
indictments 10 ascertain whether on
not they were well founded sand Ar.
Becker before leaving. "ll il b, con
Guided that they are not supported o>
evidence and not found in good faith.
int Tor the purpose Of iuumidating
witnesses. as alleged by the Cts CLUB,
! will Immediately advise the supreme
Court to that effect and procure their
dismissal. II, on the other hand. J
and that the indictments are supported
By Trustworthy evidence and that con-
v.ctions can and should be obtained,
they VIII be vigorously prosecuted. J
am taking up this matter VITA "a per
.ectly open mind
The indictments referred to by the
City Club are fifteen in number. al!
rouud since February I. 1917, and ali
now pending undetermined IL the SUI
preme Court. Six OF the indictments,
alleging perjury. were found February
=. and nine others. OF which six al.cge
perjury and three charge unlawful car
Iying Of weapons. were found OH Feb
rUHry 10.
The trial Of District Attorney Swami
on the original charges alleging the
practice OF fraud on the Court OF Gen
cral Sessions will begin this morning
before Commissioner George L. Ingra-
ham in the County Court House. Mr..
Swami will be resent"d by John B.
Stanchheld. Assistant District Attor-
reys John T. Dooling. Alfred j. Talley
and Samuel Narkewich gill assist Nr.
Stanchfeld.
The City Club viii he represented ny
Chase Nellen. assisted by John Kirk
land Clark. former Assiston, District
Attorney under Mr.. Whitman. MIR.
Nellen says there IS little Likelihood
that there Will be a postponement o.
the trial for ANY reas or, and Ny. swami
said that should there be an adjourn
ment for any cause il would be over
"bis dead body" Mr.. Swami offered
the use Of the library in the Criminal
Courts Building and the supreme
Court room, Criminal Branch, for the
hearings. but Mr.. Mellen declined 10
accept them
Swami Denies Charges
Mr.. Swann's answer 10 the additional
charges filed yesterday with Governor
Whitman comprises a specific and cate
gorical denial Of the allegations that
he abused his authority as District At