The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-14

Swami by former Assistant District At
torneys Delehanty and Breckenridge
Labor Rally 10 Aid swami.
The unionists came out bluntly with
the announcement that the Swami
charges were the result OF political
feud waged by Republican politicians.
1t went into great detail In showing
that Swami had only done his duty In
the premises 1t pictured the garment
workers union as the victim of one
of the most vicious anti-labor plots I'm
the history of the labor movement in
this country-a plot of INSCRIPTIONS
manufacturers. professional strikebreak-
ers. strong arm detectives, with willing
ears ready for their false tales in the
District Attorneys office.
About this time Swami was looking
into the suggestion OF counsel That
So, 900 worth of bail bonds for defendants
be discharged. The bonds were for the
appearance of members of the cloak
makers union. The twenty-seven de-
PENDANTS were indicted as result of
the 1914 strike in which much violence
was used. 1t was shown that Dele
hanty and Breckenridge had caused the
indictments. After both had left office
Swami was accused of having caused
TO be made a false report to the court
that the evidence against the labor
leaders had been fully studied and was
unsubstantial for conviction of the
defendants.
There was a mass of evidence on both
sides and it was decided finally. after
the referees report, to dispose OF the
cases by dismissing bail.
In the course Of the heated arguments
that resulted from the labor cases Swami
caused the indictment of Lucian S.
Breckenridge for bribery. This was
early in 1917. Swami assailed Brecken-
ridge and accused him of being CRATER.
At this time the charges made by
DeIehanty and Breckenridge were pend
ing. The latter said that the attack
on him was for the purpose of blacken-
ing him as a witness In the hearing on
the Swami charges. However. the as
saults on his character continued and
finally, after Indictment the case against
the former Assistant District Attorney
was put on what is known as after
the war" calendar. In the meantime
breckenridge who comes from an old
fighting family of that name, had en-
tered the service and been commissioned
a captain in the army.
After the indictment had been kick
ing about the office for several months
Swami directed that one of his assis-
tants make n recommendation In the
case. This was done by Samuel Marke-
witch. then an Assistant District-Attor-
ney. who resigned but a short time ago
This action was taken December 80.
1918, and Judge Rosalsky in General
Sessions dismissed the indictment after
Il had been concurred in by Judge
Swami. While these proceedings were
going on here Breckenridge as Captain
in the army. was making a record for
bravery. and Is credited with being the
first American officer to cross the River
Aire.
From time to time Swami had belittled
Breckenridge I'm the eyes of his fellow
citizens, for during a part of the term
of Charles S. Whitman as District
Attorney, and Charles A. Perkins in
that capacity, Breckenridge had been
chief clerk of the District Attorneys
office. Although a lawyer he had done
clerical duty OF n chief clerk. but when
Swami assumed office he asked Brecken-
ridge to stay and handle the labor cases.
This he did until he saw that he had
no freedom In the matter and quit. His
indictment came later.
In discussing the disposition OF the
breckenridge case Swami merely said
that owing to the changing OF the testi-
mony OF witnesses In the case 1t would
be impossible to get conviction against
the defendant. That ended the matter
SO far as the public prosecutor Is con-
cerned. Capt. Breckenridge Is back in
town wearing his badge of honor and
does not seem to have suffered greatly
Indictment.