The New York herald., 1920-01-06
SWAMI BEGINS
POLICE SCANDAL
INQUIRY TODAY
MRS. O'Grady and Two Girls
at Riverside Drive party"
Viii Be Questioned.

Edward Swami. District Attorney, an
nouhced Yesterday that Mrs. Ellen A.
oGrady. Fifth Deputy Police Commits
sioher and several other witnesses will
attend an Investigation he will conduct
at MS office this morning into charges
made by girl. seventeen years old.
against a prominent oil merchant in this
city. Mr.. Swami said that at the close
OF ms investigation he will lay all the
evidence obtained before one OF the
regular Grand Juries with view to hay-
ing the man indicted.
Inc District Attorney intimated that
the investigation today may result in a
second charge being made against the
man, who Is now believed to be in Okla
homa city, Okla. in connection with the
little party" held In the mans apart
ment In Riverside Drive three weeks ago.
He said II was his understanding the man
attacked the girl, who appeared before
Chief Magistrate McAdoo as complainant
IN the original case on the night OF the
party" and on the following night at
tackled her companion at the affair.
Prominent Oh Merchant.
Mr.. Swami added further light to the
identity OF the man now being sought on
the Chief Magistrates warrant by de-
ciaring that instead od being a silk iner-
chant, as at first reported. he is one of the
most prominent oil merchants in the
country.
He said that John A. Leach, First Depu-
ty Police Commissioner. had commune
Gated with him during the day and had
arranged to have Mrs. O'Grady. the girl
who declares she was attacked by the
man and her girl companion present in
the District Attorneys office this morn
ing.
II also wrote to Edward J. Hughes, one
time Police Inspector. and John G. Hack
ett until recently secretary to Richard T..
EnriSht, Police Commissioner, requesting
them t. call on me during the day to tell
me what they might know about the case.
u am particularly anxious 10 know
whether MIR. Hughes, who runs a detec-
tive agency. and Mr.. Hackett knew two
policewonBen wanted to arrest the oil
merchant when they met Mr.. Hughes and
Mr.. Hackett in the mans office several
days ago.
II was learned that one-tme Official
of the E. r. t.. who was in the Riverside
Drive apartment on the night Of the
party" also is in Oklohoma City. While
no charges have been filed against the
man in connection with the alleged attack
on the girl. It is known the District At
torney is anxious to interview him about
proceedings leading UP to the presence of
the girls in the mans apartment.
1t was said that the oil merchant and
his friend met the girls on the night of the
alleged attack through filtration in
Fifth avenue. near Fifty-sixth street.
The oil merchant it was declared, ac-
companied by the one-tme b. r. T. Off
cial. was riding up Fifth avenue. when
they spied the girls on the sidewalk.
Invited for a Drive. q
The oil merchant ordered his chauffeur
Ito pull up to the sidewalk, il was said,
and after a few words with the girls in
vited them to a drive through Central
Park
On the way through the park the Oil
merchant, II was said, suggested the girls
ride to his apartment in Riverside Drive
Ito party" he had arranged for some
friends The friends" did not appear at
the party" however.
1t also was declared that relative OF
the complainant in the case learned Of
her going to the apartment and confront
ed the man. The next day, IL is alleged,
city communicated with the relative OF
the girl and suggested that il any pro-
ceedings were to be started they be taken
to civil court, where they might be ter
minated through n settlement.
The relative, il was said. repudiated the
suggestion and Immediately reported the
affair 10 Mrs. O'Grady. Mrs. OGrady
Eventually brought the matter to the at
ltention OF Chief Magistrate McAdoo and
followed that up by appealing to Mayor
Hylan tp cause an investigation to be
made regarding the presence OF Mr.. Hack
ett, then secretary TO Commissioner En-
right, In the oil merchants office when
the two policewomen appeared there.