New-York tribune., 1918-10-30
Swami to Push
Vice Crusade
Despite Hylan
District Attorney Backed
by Federal and State OFF,
cials, He Say.

Despite Mayor ~Hylan's letter of pro-
test, District Attorney Swann's anti
vice crusade is to be pushed harder
than ever. Judge Swami announced
last night that he is assured of the
backing of the Committee of Fourteen
and the state and Federal authorities.
Regarding his long conference Mon
day with Governor Whitman, the Dis
trict Attorney said that in view of the
public attitude taken in the matter by
the Governor he did not feel that it
was his place as an officer subordinate
to the latter to take the initiative in
making public the substance of their
talk.
1--WE are, however" said he, ain en-
tire accord as to the Importance and
urgency of the situation that exists,
and We are agreed that there is no
bigger local work at the present mo-
ment than that of making New York
City safe for the soldiers and sailors
who are either staying here or passing
through the town."
Complimented by Gregory
Judge Swami exhibited a letter from
Attorney General Gregory at Washing
ton complimenting him upon the clean
up work he has undertaken in New
York
II shall not hesitate to take advan-
tage of your generous and patriotic Of
fer of assistance" wrote the Attorney
General, "and am notifying the United
States District Attorney for the south
ern district of New York and the head
of tho investigating bureau of my de-
partment to call upon you without
stint. We need all the assistance we
can get from state officials. :"
Last night a delegation from the
Committee of Fourteen, headed by Fred
Whitin-who accompanied Jim Smiths
raiding party on the occasion of its
recent run-in with Inspector Henry
was closeted for nearly two hours with
Judge Swami. Here again the District
Attorney declared that it would hardly
be advisable, in view of the nature Of
the work to be performed, to give out
details of the decisions arrived at. 1t
is understood, however, on the best of
authority that the committee pledged
Judge Swami to redouble its efforts at
investigation and to turn over to him
personally the results of all its find
ings.
To Ignore Mayors Letter
On the subject of the Mayors letter,
Judge Swami took a kindly, tolerant
tone.
"No," he said, II have not replied to
it in any way, nor have any intcn-
ton of replying to it. The Mayor is,
am convinced. an entirely honest man.
but at least in this case he has, fear,
been sadly misinformed. am very
sorry he wrote the letter he did on the
subject Of the Investigations under
taken by this department. BY this time
| think he is sorry, too"
lhe District Attorney could not con-
slider the possibility of an open rupture
with the Police Department.
81 would not for a minute charge
that they have tried to hinder ms IN
our work." he said. Gambling places
are running in more or less wholesale
fashion in this city. But I entirely ap-
prcciate that it is very difficult to get
evidence against these places which
will convict in a court. This must be
taken into consideration before one
criticiscs the police too harshly. The
matter Of prostitutes is also difficult
one 1t is, though, from the standpoint
OF safeguarding the troops, one Of most
QressipC uIGepcX,