New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-11-27
Swann's Personal Friend
Not Desirable to Some
Members Of Panel for
Work That Is Planned
Praised by Judge Weeks
sMy-Dear-Edward' Letter to
District Attorney Cited;
Investigators A djourn

The extraordinary grand jury re-
Trained yesterday from joining in the
chorus of approval which greeted the
as special assistant district attorney to
act as counsel to the jury.
Raymond F. Almirall, foreman, de-
clined to comment on the appointment,
made at Governor Smiths suggestion.
A rumor in the Criminal Courts Build
ing, where the jurors meet. was that
certain members of that body we're not
enthusiastic about Mr.. Battles des-
1gnation. forwarded to him yesterday
by District Attorney Edward Swami.
Mr.. Battles "My-Dear- Edward" letter
to My. Swann, his Tammany affilia-
tons and personal friendship for the
District Attorney make some members
feel some one else should have been
chosen to aid the investigation of Mr..
Swann's office.
When the grand jury first asked Mr..
Battles appointment, it was said, Its
inquiry was confined principally to the
1nterborough conspiracy and related in
vestigations, and that its more recent
request for the aid of the Attorney
General was for work in its recently
announced inquiry into corruption in
public office.
One phase of its inquiry, the grand
jury stated. had to do with the Hvlan
city administrations; the other with
District Attorney Swann's office
Letter Surprise to Jurors
1t was to the District Attorney that
sIr. Battle wrote his "My Dear Ed
ward letter after the grand jury first
asked the Governor to GUST Mr.. Swami
and appoint in his place MIR. Battle.
Mr.. Battle, who signed himself "Faith-
July. your FRIEND" expressed Ignorance
Ct the grand jurys intent to ask for
his services, and added:
"of course also I know that any in
curry conducted by you would be man
aged with the very highest degree Of
professional skill. diligence and integ-
rlty. Equally, of course, it would have
been impossible for me to accent anv
such appointment as was suggested.
wanted to let you know about this mat
ter Immediately, although, as l have
said, am entirely sure that you know
that ! had no knowledge of the action
taken by the grand jury. am sending
public statement to the newspapers
10 this effect"
This letter is said to have been
surprise to the jurors. who did not
know Mr.. Battle and the District At
torney had been close friends for MANY
years. This fact and the enthusiasm
with which Mr.. Swami promptly desig-
mated Mr. Battle special assistant,
following the Governors suggestion
Tuesday night, are said to be RESPONSE
Bile for the rumored change in the atti-
tude of certain jurors.
AmiraIl and Judge Confer
1t was considered significant that
Mr.. Almirall held two lengthy confer
ences with Justice Barlow S. Weeks, who
presides over the extraordinary term
of the Supreme Court, yesterday.
The grand jurys secret session dur
ing the day was stormy one, although
details of the proceedings were not
divulged. The noise Of loud talking
and humping of hands on tables was
heard outside the chamber.
Justice Weeks joined in the general
Endorsement of Mr.. Battle when he
addressed the jury in his courtroom
yesterday. He said:
IF the newspaper accounts are cor
rect. ] think you are to be congratu-
lated in having the assistance in your
Investigation of lawyer in whose
ability this court has the greatest con-
fdence and the highest regard"
The grand jury adjourned and will
reconvene Monday. 1t is doubtful
whether Mr.. Battle. who is in Atlantic
City, will take part in its work for
several days He is expected to make
public soon the text of kilograms re
ported to have been exchanged between
him and Mr.. Almirall