New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-06
Grand Jury Sits
Vice Conditions
In New Rochelle
Marshal Mccarthy Expect
ed to Testify To-day;
Inquiry Halted
IStaf Correspondence


NEW ROCHELLE, Dec. o.. Several
thousand indignant citizens, who
crowded the City Hall tonight TO hear
the investigating committee Of the City
Council grill the city officers and mem
bcrs Of the Police Department regard
ing the vice charges made by united
states Marshal Mccarthy. voted to ad-
iourn the hearing until Monday at the
request Of Lee Parsons Davis, DlslrieI
Attorney Of Wcstchester County.
a thrill Of excitement ran through
the hall when the District ATTORNEY
said that, at the request OF the etanu
jury. he would ask postpone,ne". %
the investigation 30 that MarShai nc
Car,hy, his investigators ana VIZ
policc officials Of New Rochelle couiu
be first examined by that body -:,
when this suggestion was hrSt 'o''su
before the investigating committee py
Edward ". Davidson, corporation
Counsel, a murmur OF dissent I"',
through the jammed council room ana
extended through the corridors mere
were as many women as men present
and murmurs Of ITS an attempt 10
steam roller the Investigations they arc
playing politics for a few moments
threatened to break up the meeting III
disorder. ,..
Mr.. Davidson related the history
Of the last few days activities. he
said that the District Attorney had
written him a letter telling him OF inc
request made by the Westchester Coun-
" Grand Jury, and that Mr.. Parsons
was also present 60 address them ana
tell them why he advocated sueh an
action.
William Inglis, as chairman Of the
meeting, read tho resolutions adopted
Tuesday night by the Citizens FRO
tective Association calling for joint
investigation by the citizens commit
tee ana the council of the officials ana
Police Department Of the city. lie
said the purpose Of the meeting was
to prove or disproyc the serious
charges made by Marshal Mccarthy.
Mayor Edward Stetson Grii'ing sat on
the speakers platform facing the
crowded hall and strokcd his mustachc
as he watched the proceedings, but
said nothing until later. Robert
Lesser, Republican leader, was not
seen among the spectators. Anxious
policemen, waiting in the lower halls
of City Hall. were excited when they
heard that the grand jury was going
to investigate the scandal.
The District Attorney, in his adj
dress to the meeting. said:
81 come here at the request Of the
grand jury to ask you as citizens 10
defer your investigation for reasona-
bic time in order 10 allow the grand
jury to probe into the matter thor
oughly. Marshal Mccarthy has been
requested by the grand jury TO appear
before Il tomorrow morning at 10
O'Clock. and has consented.
"Ihe charges that he has made
against New Rochelle. as well as other
communities in Westchester County,
are serious. This is no time for hys-
terra. The grand jury is the proper
body to investigate these charges IN a
dignified manner. ] can assure you
that. il they are true, no one VIII be
spared. | don't want any one IN this
hall tonight TO think that this is IAN
attempt TO Illustrate your investiga-
tions. II is exactly the opposite. II
the charges made by the marshal are
true we want TO know 1t and have the
persons responsible for these condi-
tions punished. II they are not, you, as
residents of New Rochelle. wsnt TO
know that. too.
Therefore ! think 10 cXpedient TO ad-
journ this investigation for a reason
able time until the grand jury COM
pletes its investigation. When that Is
done. if il is necessary. there will be no
reason why you cannot continue with
your hearing
A motion was then made to grant an
adjournment for a week. This was
halted for 4 moment By Councilman
James X. Lenahan, VINO said that he
thought as the Mayor and several Of
the council were going out Of office by
the end OF the month, care should be
taken 20 have the investigation thor.
oughly completed by that time.
Mayor Grifing, at this juncture.
ceased stroking his moustache and
stepped to the front OF the platform.
Every one, including several women
who had arrived at the meeting in
limousines and carrying their knitting,
listened attentively.
81 am in full accordance with the SEN
timents echoed by COUNCILMAN Leni-
hem" said the Mayor. 81 don't think
that this investigation should be de-
layed too long. Terrible charges have
feen made against New Rochelle. The
guilty persons, if there are guilty per-
sons. must be punished. | don't think
the meeting should be adjourned longer
than next MondaS night"