New-York tribune., 1918-05-28
Mount Vernon Alderman
Issues Statement on District
Attorneys Inquisition
Dawson Declares
Testimony 'Garbled'
Father of Ordinance Also
Resents Attitude of Off,
cials During Inquiry

MOUNT VERNON. n Y. May 27.-
New light was thrown here to-day on
the investigation District Attorney
Swami is making of William Randolph
Hearst's complaint that Certain per-
sons and corporations" have conspired
to prevent him selling his american"
and Evening Journal"
In statement this afternoon Alder
man William G. Dawson. father of the
ordinance barring the Hearst newspa-
pers from circulation here, who was
questioned by Mr.. Swami and his as
sistant, John T. Doolng, last Saturday.
charged that the District Attorneys
office had given the result of his inter
rogation to the newspapers in ''garbled"
form. He added
During the inquisition, which lasted
two and one-half hours, I was very
often placed in the position where +
might have felt that l was in the Office
OF Hearst's attorneys if / had not
known that l was in the office of the
District Attorney of New York County"
Mr.. Dawson declared that when he
told Mr.. Dooling patriotic reasons had
induced him to father the anti Hearst
ordinance the Assistant District Attor-
ney asked him:
DO you expect to get away with that
bunk?"
Alderman Dawson further said he
understood it had been suggested at
the District Attorneys Office to IAN
other alderman who voted for the ordi
nance that he offer resolution to re-
scind it."
Suggested Action Be Rescinded
Everett A. nheridan, the alderman
IN question, who also was interrogated
Saturday, bore Mr.. Dawson out in this.
He made the following statements
shortly after ! came ir, Dooling
asked me, What are you fellows trying
to do up in Mount Vernon? Get YOUR
self in lot of trouble?' Ianswered Il
don't know whether we're going to get
IN trouble or not told him during the
interview that thought then and still
tnought that the action taken on the
ordnance ought to be matter for the
Federal government. Then he said:
Why don't you rescind it?' told
HIM Let the fellow who offered it of
fer resolution to rescind the ordi-
nance He asked me, Would you vote
Tor such a resolution? I told him |
was not so sure l would. | said I
didn't know what I'd do.
Later during our talk he asked me.
You don't want us to indict you and
cause you lot of trouble, do you?'
told him | didn't care what he did. 4
don't care if you let me pick nv own
yall. | said. We've got fine one at
White Plains
Then at one time he asked me
whether | didn't think had made
mistake. l told him | didn't know
whether l had Mr.. Dooling came
back: Most of the other aldermen I
saw have admitted they made a mis-
take. You're the only one who don't
Il am Democrat and in response to
a question by Mr.. Doolng, told him
Mr. Dawson was Republican. 'Well.'
he said, he put one over on YOU fell
lows down there Then I explained 70
hlm that the Hearst resolution was not
party measure"
Dawson's Statement
Alderman Dawson expressed re.
sentiment of the tactics used in the
Distinct Attorneys investigation, and
concluded his statement with the an
nouncement:
The next time I make trip to the
District Attorneys Office | will be ac-
companied by counsel" His statement
follows:
81 was greatly surprised at the
statement coming from the District
Attorneys office, as published in YES
terdays newspapers, because / felt
tnat IN respon ding to the subpoena of
the District Attorney | was appearing
before him in judicial proceeding. I
dld not believe that | was talking in
aairectly to the newspapers. | took it
LOT granted that the District Attorney
oi NeW FORK County was conducting an
."ss;s:.'gatloh into this matter. and as
c'tizen | was glad. and am still glad
to be OF any service to him or anv
otner public official that can. GER
fanny resent any such tactics as are
peing used in this matter
oHered the resolution against the
nearst newspapers in Mount Vernon
se because felt that all loyal Americans
sshhouId frown upon the things which
snose dn newspapers had been doing. 4
winch warrant the setting of Tho cr;n,
,;nn ,aHa law OF New York County in mo-
.loh. IL there are any facts which
,;'an' serious criminal investipa-
" 1son ana prosecution. we'll and good
m;,1 ~ mere are not. believe the peonle
Vnu, ,'e interrogation of Mount
a. vrhoh aldermen for no other annar-
sens purpose than giving the result ~
suen interviews in garbled and rn;s
4uoted form to the newspapers o,,
nnfmiy convinced that the work of thn
District Attorneys office shouiS W. ene
aucted IN a different manner thar ,Vn, ~.
sn.. ."s 70 the newspapers the result ~
n"ni;, ,"'erviews as / had with Mr.
''oi'hg and Mr.. Swami.
.. Kesents Attitude of Officials
have just one further co,r.
s MAKE; During the inquisition. wh;cb ~
Sseu aoout two and one half honrs :
,.a very OFTEN placed in the nos;t;,n
mere ! might have felt that I was ~
.he ONCE of Hearst's attorrars wa; IN u
"ad not known that | was in az a
O. the' District Attorney OF Nov. Vlnce W:,s
county. desire to cast M 90 iorS
Of any kind on Mr.. Swami ana re"scs'ons s;
sistant, but do believe that .t ms as y
fairer way of CONDUCTING m .e ;n. Is
gatIon tnan the methods they are mn
SUNG ! understand that it was swr yua
gested a. the District Attorneys os;ss.
to another alderman who voted for ~ {
ordinance that he offer q resomt;ns s.e &c
rescind 1t. l cannot agree viii ~ W
District Attorney that such 81 sms., .ne
tion comes within the scope off S;.
duties. ms
Furthermore. during my interview
Mr. Dooling told me tina. his persons,
opinion of this ordinance was that l.