The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1917-04-11
INQUIRY WITNESS
TELLS OF THREAT
BY SWANN'S AID
But Story of DuresS Is Stricken
From Record by Governors
Commissioner.

The examination to-day OF David
Manusevitz. first of the cloak and
suit operators TO be called at the
hearing OF tho City Club charges
against District Attorney Swami. de-
veloped a sensation which John Kirk
land Clark of the City Clubs counsel
forecast yesterday.
Chase Mellen. also OF the Clubs
counsel, had begun the direct exam
nation of Manusevitz with a few
formal questions. Suddenly the wit
ness faltered, then r6se from the
stand and geSturing wildly ex-
claimed:
"I am afraid TO talk. sir. because
the District Attorney and the unions
are all one together and they will
put me back in Jail. Mr.. Markewich
told me that II I talk against Mr..
Swami he would put me In Jail for
five or ten years. l can't do 1t. I'm
afraid, sir, 20 continue"
The excited witness moved TO the
sldo and began to step down from
the stand, crouching and sinking
away behind the jury box.
You may come back" said Com
missioner Ingraham, the Governors
appointee to hear the chafges. THE
State OF New York will protect you
II you tell the truth"
This only served to quiet the wit
ness's fears for a minute. Shaking,
he sat down and continued excitedly:
Il think 1 will be shot and killed,
Your Honor, the same as Lebowitz.
l am the father OF six children who
are crying for bread. l must go to
them soon. am a good worker. /
used to make $50, $50 and $40 a week.
l can't make anything now. This
week earned $1,000. They stop me
from working. The first time | came
up 10 Swami he told me-
Here John B. Stanchfield, counsel
for the Distrlct-Attorney. thundered
an objection which the Commission
er sustained. Manusevitz pleaded
guilty TO n charge of perjury growing
out OF the cloak and suit strike in
vestigation. His perjury indictment
came after former Judge James A.
Dolehanty OF General Sessions criti-
cised Mr.. Swami for his action in
recommending the discharge Of the
labor leaders without bail.
Markewich. mentioned by the wit
ness, Is an Assistant District -Attor-
ney who was in court beside his
Chief when Manusevitz made his out
cry.
Later Referee Ingraham ordered
Manusevitz's remarks relative to in
timidation stricken from the record.
Just before Manusevitz left the
stand he was asked II any one in the
courtroom had lntimldated him.
"Yes," he replied. Louis Levine
and Sly" The witness pointed TO
them and Commissioner Ingraham
ordered their exclusion.
Manusevitz said that on the day
OF his assault he had walked with
the mother OF Louis Levine to Clin-
ton and Rivington Streets and there
met "Sheeney' Murphy, Goldberg
and others
"They were the fellows who split
open my head" the witness declared.
To prove that the District Attorney
and his assistants made no inNCstl-
CATION Of the States witnesses TO tho
Manusevitz assault four witnesses
were called All were operators in
the cloak and suit trade, Each tcsti-
fled that no had seen Manusevitz
assaulted and within two or three
days afterward went to the District
Attorneys office and told their story
Between that time and last winter
no one from the District Attorneys
office interviewed them as to what
testimony they might give for the
| people,
"This showed" said Mr.. Mellen, ad-
| dressing the Commissioner, that
there was no vigorous and thorough
investigation by Mr.. Swami before
| he moved TO dismiss the indictments
| the iahpr loo aarg nj t1,uua