New-York tribune., 1920-04-21
Almirall Jury
Awaits Results
OF Vice Trials
Investigations Are Reported
to Have Been Held Up by
the acknowledgements
of Important Witnesses
Smith Case Is Delayed
Panel Will Remain Intact
for Two Years, 1t Is Said,
if Necessity Require s

Although its powers Of investiga-
ton have been broadcncd and en-
largcd by Governor Smith and prac.-
cally unlimited means placed at its
disposal, the extraordinary grand
jury. of which Raymond L. Almirall
is the foreman, is not contemplating
widening the scope Of it's activities I'M
mediately.
1t is extremely doubtful whether
the body will take any steps Of i'm
poortance in its Investigations until
after the trials growing out of As
Smiths vice probe have been COM
pleted. These trials, beginning with
that Of former Third Deputy Police
Commissioner Porter, which is now
going on. will not be finished and out
of the way for another month. The
Porter trial will be followed by that
OF Police Inspector Dominick Henry
and four detectives.
The extraordinary grand jury will
hold several meetings in the near
future, it was learned yesterday from
an authoritative source, but these will
be of minor Importance.
witnesses disappear
The Tribune was informed last night
chat the Almirall jury has been ham,
pered and delayed in completing its in
vestigation of the charges made against
Mr.. Smith and other members of Dis
trict Attorney Swann's staff bv the
mysterious disappearance of witnesses.
The charges brought by Harry S.
Goldwater and made public by Com
missioner of Accounts Hirshfeld, that
Mr. Smith was an officer of the Civitas
Club and had given protection to that
organization knowing it to be a place
were gamblers gathered, has not been
sifted, because of Goldwater's disap-
pearance. A subpoena calling for his
appearance before the extraordinary
grand jury has been issued
1t was said last night that Gold
water is now in Mount Clemens, Mich,
reported to have no immediate inten-
tion of returning to this state.
When Commissioner Hirshheld made
public the Civitas Club charge against
the Assistant District Attorney. it has
been learned, Goldwater was in New
Orleans. He is said to be travelling
salesman for cloak and suit house
He was informed that his presence
here was desired and is reported to
have come as far north as Manhattan
Transfer. where he apparently thought
better of entering New York, and re-
turned to Newark, where he called up
a number of friends here on the tele-
phone.
His friends told him, it is said that
If he came to New York on Sunday no
subpoena would be served on him. He
accordingly visited the city on Sunday,
April d, and is said to have agreed to
testify before the Almirall iury. Late
that night he visited the home of a
prominent city official with whom he
held long conference. The result of
TINS was that Goldwater caught a mid
night train for Detroit
Swami Welcomes Inquiry
Another witness wanted in connec-
tion with the Civitas Club charge is
Joseph Lyman, said to be a member
OF broadway's sporting set and to have
headquarters in the Knickerbocker
Theater Building. Hyman, who is al
Legged to be familiar with the workings
of the Civitas Club, has also disap-
peared according to those who have
been trying to serve him with a
subpoena
night it would avail these witnesses
nothing to remain outside the state. as
the investigating body would be kept
together for the next two years, if nee
essary, to hear their testimony.
District Attorney Swami, in COM
menting on the enlarged scope of the
extraordinary grand jury's powers, said
yesterday he welcomed any proper in
vestigation of the official acts of any
OF his assistants.
Mr.. Almirall and all his works are
dscredited IN the eyes of the public. )
said Mr.. Swami. "He first ANNOUNCED
the discovery of the 'overshadowine
crime. That charge blew up.
He then preferred charges agains,
Assistant District Attorney Smith
which he knew TO be false and which
the grand jury thereafter, by a unani
nous vote, adjudged as false. Thi:
charge was also made by him for al
olterlor and improper purpose
lhe District Attorney presented
evidence before the grand jury agains
he traction combination and was en-
deavoring TO present other and grave1
matter Mr. Almirall had formerly beer
IN the employ Of the traction combina
tlon. He is for the eight-cent fare ant
the District Attorney is against it. II
the District Attorney would cease op
posing an elght-cent fare Mr. Almiral
would undoubtedly cease his libels or
TINS ofhce and the lawyers who com
pose it.
Assistant District Attorney Doolinp
has been actively engaged in obtaining
evidence against the milk distributing
combination. II he would stop this he
mi@ht be less unpopular with Mr.
Almjrall.'