New-York tribune., 1919-12-17
Quinn, Bitterly Attacking
Hirshfeld, Vainly Tries
to Have Charges Against
MarketsH Head1nvestig
Moran Assails Grand jury
Board President Declares
Inquisitors Seek Only
to Coercc Administration

The Tammany majority in the Board
of Aldermen yesterday clampcd the lid
down tight when an effort was made by
Alderman William F. Quinn, Repubi-
can, to investigate the Department of
Markets, especially the charges made
by the Rev. Jonathan c. Day, former
head of the department, who was re-
moved by Mayor Hylan.
Alderman Quinn moved that the
Committee on Rules be discharged
from further consideration of his reso-
luton introduced at the last meeting
Of the board calling for an aldermanc
investigation Of the department.
Hirshfield Attacked
President Moran, who will be sue
ceeded on January l by a Republican,
Major +. II. La Guardia, urged Alder
man Quinn not to press his motion,
saying that it should be taken up by
the next board. Alderman Quinn re-
piled that only members who were re-
elected should be appointed as invcsti-
gators.
"Ths calls for immediate invcstiga-
tion," continued Quinn. at cannot
wait. The Mayor has referred the mat
ter to David Hirshfield, his Commits
sioner of Accounts. The Commissioner
of Accounts is not capable of fairly and
honestly investigating these charges.
as he is involved in the matter in ques-
tion. And in view Of his past record''--
Alderman Charles Haubcrt. Demo
crat, jumped to his feet protesting. say
ing that Alderman Quinn WAS not
speaking to the motion. But the chair
overruled him.
He is not fit subject to investigate
anything in the City Of New York" re-
sumed Quinn. "ln view of his public
and private life and'--
IF you will submit any charges you
have which are based on facts. not
merely on rumor floating through the
aroma, the committee viii consider
Your resolution at once,' interrupted
laughter at the reference to "a rumor
floating through the aroma
President Moran then launched into
an attack on the extraordinary grand
jury for its investigation into the af-
fairs of the Hylan administration, say
ing:
''Thc intent Of the grand jury was
to bring about tisorganzation Of the
city's departments by taking books
and papers from them. It's intent was
to scare and coerce the city admlnis-
tration."
vote on the motion to discharge
the Committee on Rules from further
cons deretion Of Alderman Quinn's
motion was declared out of order
Just before the board met Commis-
sioner Of Accounts Hirshtield made
public q letter to Mayor Hylan in re-
ply to the latter's request that he in
vestigate Alderman Quinn's charges, in
which the Mayor and Charles F. Muir
ply, leader of Tammany Hall, were
named.
Alderman Quinn, he said. called at
his office pursuant to a subpoena, ac-
companied by his counsel. and then the
letter went on
Hirshfield's Letter
but under the rules of this office,
esta blished many years ago and fol-
lowed by my predecessors, witnesses
are not entitled to counsel Why he
needed lawyer to tell in my office
all he knew against Commissioner
O'Malley the Alderman did not state.
He did not have his counsel at his
Sloc laSt ueSuay When he VlclOuSly
attacked and snapped at almost every
one not OF his political faith.
"Howevcr, after the alderman had
seated himself requested him to be
sworn, but he refused to take the oath.
tic was then requested to give me such
evidence as he had to bear out his ac-
tusation of wrongdoing against Com
missioner OMalley and the Depart
ment Of Public Markets in general, and
he refused to do that, and he also re-
fused to disclose the source of his in
formation.
Prom his answers, manner of speech
and general demeanor I am satisfied
that Alderman Quinn has no knowledge
or information whatsoever against the
honesty Of Commissioner O'Malley. and
II appears to me that these accusations
made by Quinn against Commissioner
ONlalley are made for political pur
poses only, just as he has from time to
time during the last years made ground
less accusations against other city of
tcials not Of his political faith.
''ln view of the foregoing recon-
mend that. as far Us Alderman Quinn
is concerned, this incident be closed
and that in the future all his vicious
outbreaks be ignored as being un-
worthy Of attention