New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-03-10
Mayor I1ducts His
Sister-in-Law Into
$2,100 Police Job
Miss Alma O'Hara Is Ap-
pointed Executive Clerk
of Department

Miss Alma O'Hara, whose sister
Marian is the wife of Mayor Hylan and
whose brother Irving is the policeman
bodyguard of Mayor Hylan, was ap-
pointed executive clerk of the Police
Department, at $2,100 a year, yester-
day-not by the Police Commissioner,
but by Mayor Hylan.
Great secrecy was thrown about the
appointment, not even Police Commits
sloner Enright being taken into the
confidence of the Mayor and his family.
Here's the manner in which the news
became public:
Grover Whalen, the Mayors secre-
tary, appeared at Mr.. Enright's Office,
accompanied by Deputy Commissioner
Ellen O'Grady and woman whose iden-
tity was not revealed. They were
ushered Immediately into the Office
ahead of the newspaper men who had
been waiting some time. After fifteen
minutes the trio reappeared and left
the building.
"Another woman in the Police De.
partment ?" was the first question asked
oy the reporters when they were ad-
mltted to Mr.. Enright's office.
Mrs. O'Grady Didn't Know Her
When the Commissioner replied. "Oh.
no; she's just friend of Mrs
O'Grady," the scene of the questioning
shifted to the office of the Deputy Com
missioner,
"Friend Of mine Oh, mol" Mrs.
O'Grady said. II never saw her be-
fore in my life until Mr., Whalen
brought her in here and introduced her
as the new executive clerk of the de-
partment. l understand her name is
OHara."
knowledge that O'Hara was the
name Of Mayor Hylan's wife and also
of the acknowledgment who has been
scene to shift again--this time to City
Hall. Detective Sergeant O'Hara ad-
mitted that his sister had received the
appointment and wanted to know,
What difference does it make if she
is an O'Hara, huh ?" The reporters
didn't argue the point ind pressed on
to the Office of Mr.. Wha1en.
"Miss Alma O'Hara has been ap-
pointed executive clerk of the Police
Department." Mr.. Whalen said, and
added, in answer to the all-absorbing
question: eyes, she is sister-inlaw
of Mayor Hylan."
Back to Headquarters scurried the
men charged with furnishing the pub
lie with police news.
Enright's Smile Missing
Miss Alma O'Hara has been ap-
pointed executive clerk of the Police
Department." was Commissioner En-
rights greeting. But the usual smile
was missing and there was no evidence
of great pleasure at having another
member of the Mayors family saddled
on his department as, in reply to q
question, he said:
"How do 1 know if she is relative
of the Mayors? l never asked O'Hara
or the Mayor"
Later, in announcing that Miss
O'Hara lived at SO Howard AYenue,
Brooklyn, Comm ssioner EnrighG said
that, while Miss O'Hara had been ap-
pointed as executive clerk, she will not
perform the duties of that office She
will be assigned to work with Deputy
Commissioner O'Grady and the four
women detectives in the Social We'll
fare Squad. Frederick A. Hackett, who
served as executive clerk, was pro
iio oeeu d Ody oT t"o dBo W tne pOSlClOr
Of secretary of the department.
1t also developed yesterday that Mrs.
Donald Grant, the wife of a retired
inspector who draws an annual pension
of 1850, has been working as stenog-
rapher at Headquarters for several
weeks. No announcement of her ap-
pointmcnt has been made. Inspector
Grant, when he retired, was president
Of the Inspectors and Captains Benev-
olent Association