New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-29
District Attorney Makes
Charges Against City
Club at Hearing
Asserts Attorney
Knew Of Perjury
Deputy Commissioner Scull'
Named by Defendant,
Declines Comment

District Attorney Swami, accused by
the City Club Of misconduct in Office
charged that organization yesterday
with using tho police 10 get evidence
against him. and said further that
Chase Mcllcn. its counsel. was aware
that one Of the clubs witnesses had
given false testimony.
The District Attorney volunteered
these accusations while being cross
examined by Mr.. Mellen before Com
missioner Ingraham in the County
Court. He followed these two counter
attacks with a third, in which he said
that the City Club had employed the
nol;ce 70 obtain the evidence that
caused the indictment Of Louis Levine
one Of Mr. Swann's private invesu-
gators. Levine was indicted IN Brook
lyn for "white slavery"
I, was a reference 10 this indictment
by Mr.. Mellen that caused Mr.. Swami
TO cut loose and voice ono charge after
another. MIR. Mellen had brought out
that Levine was being paid sl5 week
bv Mr.. Swami out Of his own pocket
and that he had been a witness before
the grand jury against one of the lapor
case witnesses who was indicted for
pcriurv after the charges were filed.
Charges Police Aided Probe
"You knew that Levine was under in
dic,ment, didn't yOu?" asked Mr. Mel
len.
81 know you gentlemen Of the C''y
Club caused him 20 be indicted re-
piled Mr.. Swami.
whats that?" interrupted Commits
sioner Ingraham. THAT is remark
able statement for you, District At
,orney. TO make. that any persons have
been influencing a grand jury to vote
an indictment
81 meant that police officers who are
being used by the City Club procured
the evidence on which the grand jury
indicted" said Mr.. Swami.
"Do YOU realize, Judge Swami, that
vou are under oath and making charges
like that against me-" cried Mr.. Melien'
shaking his finger under the witnesses
nose.
81 do, and can say more replied
tn District Attorney, leaning forward
r-h,s chair "You are using one Of the
Deputy Police Commissioners against
me. and he is in your Office day by day
"Yes," retorted Mr. Mellen, "but you
N are using process servers to investigate
the City Clubs witnesses"
81, as a county officer. have right TO
4 do that but neither you nor the City
Club has a right to use one city de-
partment against another. as you are
doing" replied Mr.. Swami.
Deputy Police Commissioner Named
"You mean Deputy Police Commits
sioner Soul ?"
"Yes." interrupted Mr. Swami, Il see
you know whom near"
would you be surprised. sir" thun-
dered Mr.. Mellen, "to know that il was
al the orders Of Commissioner Ingra-
ham that he was detailed 10 come TO my
office 20
"Did the Commissioner request that
he be used Is one public official against
another?" retorted the DISTRICT Attor-
ney. CHANGING toward Justice Ingrs-
nam.
81 don't suppose it is necessary for
me 20 deny this absurd and utterly
ridiculous charge. but | can't permit
my reputation TO be attacked like this"
expostulated Mr.. Mellen.
Nor !. either. your honor" chimed
an John X. Clark, Mr.. Mellen's asso-
ciate.
"What personal knowledge have you
10 substantiate these charges ," asked
Commissioner Ingraham.
"l've seen the witnesses against me
IN Police Headquarters. and Police
Commissioner Woods told me that he
had been requested by the City Club
70 assign Mr. Scull"-- said Mr.
Swami.
ooh, now-now" - interrupted MIR.
Mellen. "Your honor. l must have
Commissioner Woods down here
Eyes, have the Commissioner here,
by all means" said Commissioner Ing
rahan.
Piles on Another Charge
"Mr. Swami. do you know the char
aeter Of an oath ?" shouted Mr.. Mellen.
II know il better than you do, sir"
replied the District Attorney
And you stand by that charge"
IL DO. and can make another.
charge that you, Mr.. Mellen know that
one Of your witnesses testified falsely
here the other day and you haven't told
Commissioner Ingraham that you know
il. | will prove il, sir"
Commissioner lngraham. meanwhile,
tried 20 put an end 10 the wrangle
"Will Mr.. Mellen deny my last
charge Do you decline TO have him
answer Il for the record?" said Mr..
Swami. turning toward Commissioner
lngraham.
"Of course he need not answer H..
Neither Mr.. Mellen nor Mr.. Clark are
on trial here" replied the Commits
sioner.
Mr.. Mellcn. at the end Of the hear
ing, announced that he wanted 10 call
az least one witness in rebuttal who
would "attack the credibility Of an
important witness for the defence"
Scull Declines Comment
Deputy Commissioner Scull. when
informed Of the accusations Of Dis
triet Attorney Swami last evening, de-
clined 10 make any comment.
Earlier in the day Mr.. Mellen asked
Mr.. Swami II he resented the fact that
the City Club had brought the charges
against him.
ED hate 70 tell you what think Of
the City Club" said the District Aetor-
rex DIT would run 10 volumes and