The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-08
Hir.hneld Makes Statement.

David Hirshfleld. ComniissNer of Ac-
counts. last night issued the following
statement regarding Mr.. Untermyer's
letter 10 Comptroller Craig:
VAS soon as the contracts for the court
house we're cancelled by the Board OF
Fhtinate. the Mayor instructed me TO
take up not only the school house con-
tracts. but all city contracts made within
the last eighteen months or two years.
for the purpose OF ascertaining whether
the city had been dishonesty dealt with
III respect to all or some Of these con-
tracts. I Immediately assigned several OF
my assistants TO procure HIST OF all
city contracts made during that period
and 70 Investigate thoroughly the same.
This work Is being carefully and expedi-
tlpusly done.
s'As 10 the school house contracts We
MD that some Of the schools have been
nnished. others are Ia the process ~
construction. and that ~ connection with
only two contracts no building has been
cSmmenced Mr.. Un;ermyer "a a law
Yer, knows that II Is very oasy 10 cancel
contracts and precipltate tho city into
law suits involving millions OF dollars
FOR damages and thousands % dollara In
costs. Thus far there has been no svi-
dfnce brought out upon which the city
n
for damages in case OF the cancellation
Of the school contracts.
Tn nnrwer 70 Mr.. Untermyer's Mt
tempt 70 convey the impression that the
Hettrick letter was suppresaee Tor two
nfonths. ! want 20 state that This letter
fsundated was transmitted 70 me hy the
Mayor on September -. that the follow
ing morning. September is, az the court
hpuse hearing nj which were nrescrt
various contractors. labor reureronta.
tHes and Newspaper mon I made rof.r.
ence 10 that letter and that On the sarnn
afternoon. September rs, showed the
lrtter 20 representative OF the press
says lie Sought Untermy-r'. asa.
,''Since Hettricits Office was ralfoa =
the Attorney-Generai, 7 have repeatnsfv
asked Mr.. CnterInycr and hiA asriafnnf.
70 permit either myself. or a Representa- /.
tit-o OF the Corporation Counsel. 10 er-
sfnine those OF the papers seized IN AZ
HettriclSs Office which would have ang
bfaring on the court horse. school hurf
irArs. or any other cts work bit fhns
far have been unsuccessful in receiving
eoch opportunity.
l"slnce his appointment ne ee.na,i ,r
tie committee Mr.. Unterfn-rr tas ~
Sfted upon stopping go nvtatirnti,u
cb my part into the buiidire Situation.
Ne requested me not 70 proceed with
rdy examination into Tho complaint made
"A the Mayor by The House tvrs,Lnra'
tlnion. IN another matter in whites
ffkued stbpnnas 20 witnesses be- called
me on tho phone and asked NJ. 90 car.
cel the subpWnas, and ! complied Win
bis request
THE conditions disclosoi b. Wy in-
ytstigation Into the court house con.
tracts. and In the hearings already held
~ the legislative committee. are 81
rlenacing that this u no time 10 rnraga
ID controversies with Mr. InteriHytr
~Aith respect 70 some detail 81 ornne..
titn with this work viIi. Therefore
fcreEo at this tlms discussion or fhe
peHsible motive that may hava fe9 Mir
10 rush into the ruhli wt Wath htt
ufwarranted ara untTue or.tt. n ~ tns
Mayor AMI o. me"
@t--=s. Fl
fauect'e Taylor ravg I hlte SCION wt,