The sun., 1919-03-28
FIRE CHIEF INDICTED
IN FILM GRAFT CASE
DR.. Doyle and Capt. McGinnis,
His Aid, Accused of Selling
Official "Favors.'
TWO CIVILIANS INVOLVED
1900 Paid by Movie Men as
Alleged Fees for Privilege
Of Violating Ordinances.

Indictments alleging conspiracy and
accepting unlawful fees were returned
yesterday by the Grand Jury against
DR.. William r. Doyle. chief of tho Blu
rsau Of File Prevention of tho city FIRE
department. and Capt Frank McGtnnis'
In charge OF the Bureau Of Public Assem-
biies Of the Bureau OF Fire Prevention.
Others indicted with them were Leon
Wallace, a manager of Healy's restau-
rant. Sixty-sixth street and Columbus
avenue. and Frank Mccoy, n well-to-
do resident Of Far Rockaway. who Is
connected with an oil company at Con-
stable Hook, Bayonne, N. J.
The Grand Jury action 10 the result OF
an investig alton, demanded by Fire Com
missioner Thomas ]. brennan and con-
Quoted by Alfred J. Talley. chief Assist
ant District Attorney, and Albert BlogB
Unger. Assistant District Attorney, into
the alleged doings OF the so-called Colo
NAL Film Company.
The evidence, as drawn from a group
OF forty or more managers and pro-
prietors of motion picture houses, ap-
parentIy convinced the grand Jurors that
the chief excuse for the existence OF the
'nlm company" purporting TO be a
him exchange" was to afford the ways
and means whereby movies could con-
tribute graft to official and UNOFFICIAL
sources In return for protection from
prosecution for violations of the fire
ordinances.
Capt, McGinnis, a fireman with . hne
record for bravery. and Mccoy and
Wallace surrendered and were arraisned
before Judge Rosalski in General Ses-
sions. McGinnis and McGoey were re-
leased in $500 bail and Wallace in
$1,000 bail. Wallace aided the authors
ties in untangling the mysteries OF the
hlm company's operations. DR.. Doyle
will be in court to-day with his coun-
sci. Abraham Levy.
Denials. OF any wrong doing have been
made by Doyle, McGinnis and Mccoy.
brennan suspends Doyle.
DR.. Doyle was suspended on wednes-
day by Fire Commissioner brennan.
DIR. Doyle formerly was veterinarian
OF the Fire Department. with the rank
OF deputy chief. He was originally
favored by Charles r. Murphy. the Tam
many leader. for appointment by Mayor
Hylan as Fire Commissioner. Objec-
lions to the appointment were interposed
by John II. McCooey, the Kings county
Democratic leader. and a compromise
was effected. Thomas ]. brennan was
named as Fire Commissioner and Doyle
was made the chief fire preventer. which
always has been considered a mighty
busy job. The position carries with It
salary of $1,000 a year.
Just a month ago Fire Commissioner
brennan began to hear ugly rumors
that somebody was levyins graft on
motion picture houses. He sent a mes
sage to Mayor Hylsn. who directed him
Attorney Swami. which he did without
loatpr aOy time
Chief Assistant District Attorney
Talley, supplied with Commissioner
Drennan's information about the Col
email Film Company, with an once 1T
it4 Columbus avenue, started on the
trail and on February 81 a statement
was issued from the District Attorneys
Office.
According 10 this statement. Leon
Wallace. a manager of Heaiy's Restaur-
ant, admitted that he had operated the
Offices as "hIm, exchange from jan
uary 10 20 February Is. when they
were closed. The companys records
showed that approximately $500 had
been paid in by movie concerns in
amounts OF SO, $50. s25 and $50. Wal
lace testified that Capt. McGinnis
visited Healys and gave him a list OF
motion picture houses and the amounts
they would be expected to pay. os-
tensibly for films.
once Run by Stenographer.
wallace employed Miss Florence Nc
0rath as stenographer and manager OF
the "flm exchange Office. Wallace said
and she received the money as II was
paid In. Wallace declared that his share
was to be one-sixth and that UP to
February he had personally received
-
to Frank Mccoy, but didn't know how
the cash was distributed. He declared
that he made his last payment to Nc
0oey in the middle OF February when
McGoey told him there had been a
''holler'' and he had better shut up shop.
which he did. After the place had been
closed, Wallace said. Capt McGinnis
asked him IL everything had been taken
out. saying that Commissioner brennan
was raising hell about It"
What provoked Commissioner Dren-
nan and Mr.. Talley the most, outside OF
the charges of official wroRgdoing, was
the fact that the movie men. many Of
whom were unable to speak good Eng
fish. were willing to pay money for
"favors' that meant endangering the
lives OF tho many thousands OF men,
women and children who patronize their
houses. These "fsvors." according to the
testimony. included PERM to allow
''stAndees' in their houses. and thus
squeeze in a bigger crowd. which meant
bigger box ONCE receipts = certain op-
Grating booth privileges. exit construc-
ton privileges and other things as TO
which they expected those wlIosASL y it
was to protect the public would close
their official eyes.
Counsel Defends Dr. Doyle.
Abraham Levy, Dr. Doyle's counsel.
who will accompany him to court to-
day. said last night.
From my investigation. In the time
have had TO look into the case, am
satisfied that Or. Doyle is innocent Of
any wtonsdolng."
Terrence ]. McManus. counsel for
Capt. McGinnis. said: We propose to
move next Monday or Tuesday for an
inspection OF the grand jury minutes
TO ind the real basis for connecting
Capt McGinnis with these alleged Of
fencea He has no knowledge what
ever that would justify even specula-
tlon on his part as to how he is con-
nected with these charges. 1t Is prob
able that In giving conscientious service
he has made enemies.
When the graft charges first became
known Mccoy called on Mr.. Talley and
said that Wallace's story was false. He
said that Wallace told him that he.
wallace, wanted to 20 into the Aim
business. but didn't care to open a bank
account because he didn't wish his en-
pioyer to know he was In a separate
business. Mccoy denied any dealings
with anybody In the Fire Department.