The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-15
M'COOEY SHOWN AS
'FIXER' IN FOOD CASE
Battle Has Photograph Of Let
ter With His Signature
Revealing His Part.
FINE OF $50 REMITTED
II. E. Cole, Ex-Agriculture
Chief, Sold Names to Swift,
Note DisclOses.

John Ii. McCooey, Brooklyn's Demo-
cratic leader. and William ]. Heffernan.
state Senator OF Kings. were successful
as pleaders for alieked violators of state
food laws, according to documentary
evidence In the form of photographed
letters placed yesterday before George
Gordon Battle, special commissioner APP
pointed by Gov. Smith to investigate the
State Agricultural Departments activ-
itiesL
Percy F. Griffin Of 80 Cedar street tes-
tined the photographed letters came into
his possession as attorney for Mrs. z.
M. Hook. to whom the originals had
been given by Raymond Smith for re-
production
Mr. Griffin said Mrs Hook told him
that somebody broke into her establish
ment and stole the original letters
One of the photographed letters. dated
August Z, 1914, alleged to have been
written to Senator Heffernan by H. E.
Cole, then Deputy Commissioner of Ag-
riculture, the photographed copy show
ing the initials III. e c." In the lower
left hand corner. was put into the rec
crd as follows:
"Mr DEAR SENATOR: Commissioner
Huson requests me to say to you that
the case against Antonio and Dora Cas-
tellin of 937 Third avenue, Brooklyn
viii not be prosecuted. as it has been
discontinued"
They were accused of selling impure
olive oil.
A letter bearing the date August l.
1914. and the alleged signature of John
II. McCooey was read as follows:
MY DEAR COMMISSIONER: Allow me to
transmit for your information a notice
which was served on Mr.. Henry Holt
man OF 1913 Broadway, Brooklyn, call
ing for the remittance OF $50 as a pen
atty for having sold process butter
which was not branded as required by
the statutes. ! do not believe he would
Intentionally commit an infraction of the
agricultural laws, and 1 am informed he
has already taken steps to remedy ex-
listing conditions. This being his first
offence. as 1 notice none other recorded
In your office. 1 will greatly appreciate
any courtesy you can properly extend to
the end that the action mentioned in this
transaction may be determined by mu.
tual agreement. With best wishes, &c. ;
THIS reply, purporting to be by Mr.
Cole, next went in:
DEAR Mr.. McCooEY On my return
this morning from the state Fair and
other meetings / found your letter of the
LIST inst You may inform Mr.. Henry
Hoffman of 1913 Broadway, Brooklyn
that he need pay no further attention te
the penalty letter dated July l, 1914
and signed by G. L. Flanders, counsel Of
this department. The case has been dis
continued"
Photographs OF letters supposed .tt
have passed between Cole and Swift
Co. also became documentary evidence
One reproduction with Coles signature
in ink was as follows
Gentlemen: 1 am sending you BY
express tonight a package containins
duplicate copies of the lists of this de
partment of farmers names to the mum
Der Of 56,S47.
81 thought it best to make copies o
all the names we have. hence the excess
of nearly or about 1000 names allow
your order. but only desire pay for thu
number you reQuested-50,000.
Trusting that the lists reach you al
right, and that / may receive promp
payment for the same, am. -"