New-York tribune., 1919-12-15

half ago of several million dollars
worth of short term notes on its rep
resentlng that the company was making
money on a five-cent fare, and that
soon after it agitated for an increased
ARE on the ground that it was losing
money.
He then asserts that attempts were
made to create antagonism against city
officials by discontinuance of service
on several car lines in the most con-
gested sections of the city Strikes.
he states, were another method to force
an increase in fare
Threatened With Removal
Il have been threatened with re-
moval from Office" concludes the state
ment, 1.-The city departments have been
placed under investigation and every
possible endeavor made TO embarrass
me in the city administration, and now
we hear threats of legislative investi-
cation and Of wagers being made by
the traction crowd on the length of
time | will be permitted to remain in
office. Many of us have not forgotten
the investigation of the S500,000 slush
fund last year in an endeavor TO put
over legislation which had for its OBJ
]ect an increased fare.
The Mayor OF the city of New York
i"S .ile cHolce OF several roads to
travel. One road is to be good fel-
big people of our town, giving practi-
cally no attention to the affairs of the
city, and let the special interests-seek-
ing crowd loot the city.
another road is TO live up to your
promise to the people, fight their bat
ties and protect their interests from
the traction and other special privilege
seekers. This subjects you to attack
from every angle by the financial and
traction interests, the subsidized press,
servlle Judges and lnsincere investgat-
ing bodies. These interests are en-
deavoring to continue their control of
the city"
Raymond F. Almirall. foreman of the
extraordinary grand jury. issued a
statement yesterday setting forth the
grand jury's reasons for the rejection
OF the services of Assistant District
Attorneys Ocott and Brothers, He
said:
"The District Attorney is the lawful
custodian of the grand jury minutes
and of all exhibits. An Assistant Dis
trlct Attorney, however, recommended
or approved, cannot usurp the func-
tlons OF the District Attorney. There
fore, any Assistant District ATTORNEY
against whom a charge might be made
would have direct or indirect access to
all testimony taken before the grand
jury, and also all exhibits These
privileges are denied every other
civilian defendant
Wants Attorney General Designated
"lf the District Attorney. or any of
the assistants may be favorablv dis
( posed toward city official under in
vestlgaton, advantage may be taken of
the District Attorneys right to inspect
the minutes or exhibits or misrepres Sc mt
their significance. Unless the Attor-
ney General is designated to act as ad-
wiser to the grand jury it is apparent
that any such case as the people
against district attorney or deputy
or officer of the city administration
would be controlled by the District At
lorney's office or Indirectly by the city
administration.
There can be no doubt that the
Attorpey General would wish to keep
such an investigation impartial and
that the suggestion by the Governor
o. a man of the caliber of the
Hon. Charles f. Hughes would meet
with his. and the public's approval.
"lt is 4 serious matter 20 jeoparlize
the functioning Of a grand jury or to
camouhage the facts by obscuring the
conditions under which the grand jury
must work"