The sun., 1919-05-23
Drops Assistant Prosecutor
Brogan, Foe of Wall
Street Frauds.
CROOKS ARE HAPPY
Dismissed Official Says
Chief Refused Help and
Transferred Him.
BANKERS ARE PERTURBED
Commercial Frauds Bureau
Quicscent While Fake Pro-
moters Thrive.
BANKERS ARE PERTURBED

Edward S. Brogan. Deputy Assistant
District Attorney, who for a year tried
to prosecute bucket shops and promo
ters Of shady stock companies, has
been dropped from the stan Of the Dis
trict Attorney. 1t has been known for
some time that he and Judge Swami
had not been on the best OF terms, and
none OF Brogan's recommendations for
the effective prosecution of his work
was acted upon. Some time ago he Of
fered his resignation because of lack OF
assistance from his superiors. but
Swami refused to accept it and Brogan
was assigned to other work until last
Monday. when his name was left Off
the payroll.
Judge Swami was not at his office
yesterday and no one could be found
there who had seen Brogan's letter of
resignation. Alfred ]. Talley, Assist
art District Attorney. who is in charge
Of the Office in Judge Swann's absence,
said he knew nothing of Brogan's res
ignation, but the notation on the pay
roll showed clearly that he was no
longer on the staff.
Frauds Bureau Dormant.
Edwin p. Kilroe. Assistant District
Attorney. and Theodore L. Waugh, As
sstant District Attorney. were appointed
by Judge Swami to succeed Brogan in
April when he was assigned to other
work but Kilroe went on vacation I'm
mediately and Waugh has been busy on
Other work. so that the Commercial
Frauds Bureau, as 1t is known. virtually
has ceased to function, much to the re-
sret of business men and investment
brokers, who were interested in seeing
its work go on.
Brogan himself was not surprised that
he had been dropped and said yesterday
that he had expected II and had foreseen
failure for the bureau ever since he
found his recommendations TO Judge
Swami and his appeals for assistance TO
make the work OF the bureau effective
had been ignored.
When / Was removed from the direc-
ton Of the Commercial Frauds Bureau
in April asked Judge Swami to accept
my resignation" said Mr.. Brogan. He
did not do so. and for personal reasons
did not press the matter at that time
was not in sympathy. ! felt that my
greatest usefulness would be in con-
tinuing the work. as l thought I had
shown the necessity for a vigorous pros
ecution OF all crooked stock brokerage
houses and promoters.
II went on the staff for the express
purpose of organizing the bureau in
February, 1918, and in a short time was
overwhelmed with complaints from
people who had suffered from the opera
tons OF these financial sharks. soon
saw that to do any effective work !
would need assistance, and in May I
made a report to Judge Swami. asking
that accountants and investigators be
assigned to my office so that ] might
make some headway in the mass OF
stuff that was coming in" In that re-
port Brogan said:
Aside from performing the duty OF
Enforcing the law 1t will bring TO the
District Attorneys office the everlasting
gratitude OF defrauded public, of every
honest broker. stock salesman and legit-
innate promoter. II properly directed II
will be successful, because 1t has the
support OF practically every Stock Ex-
change house, every business and bank
ing association. and Of the press.
They are only too glad to cooperate
with YOU in clearing the commercial at
Tosphere and making New York unsafe
'or crooks OF every calibre. Many OF
ne grand jurors have commented favor
ably upon our spring drive on bucket
Shops. Results can only be accomplished
ny organizing and manning your Com
nerclal Frauds Bureau with a stan con-
ss'ing in the beginning OF stenogra-
pner, an accountant and, II possible, one
o. TWO Investigators.
Tells of Crooks Boasts.
"l, IS almost impossible for one man
even 10 attend to the correspondence.
have asked you several times to spend
h'e minutes with Mr.. Talley in my Of
tce, because I know you will realize for
,olrself the extent and Importance OF
me nves,igation, and that you will then
give me the assistance ] need.
Unless this investigation is pushed
lgorousiy the public and the press may
"urhute unfair and untrue motives for
'.arting the investigation and for not
i4Sling II by cleaning up the CONNER
Ga. crooks who have been operating In
ms city for the past hve years.
Every day hear rumors that have
Teen called on by the District Attor'
heN Some Of these crooks are boastins
nav he District Attorney has refused to
give me any assistance to conduct the
Investigation and that they made good
fhe'r threat TO deprive me of the ser
N'ee OF one investigator who was thor
olshly familiar with their methods and
"ho rendered valuable services during
NE first month OF my Investigation.
conference with representatives OF
Ns New York Stock Exchange ought to
ne arranged without delay to decide upon
pian of campaign They will nc
u'uoi supply the sinews OF war by ap-
plopNatng a fund to defray the ex-
IenseS Of the investigation"
In'S report and the recommendatio
|e ignored by Judge Swami. Mr.
h'ogan raid yesterday. and he received
~ encouragement whatever. In fact, II
Was impossible for him to do SO without
Continued ON aIafh paaa