The New York herald., 1920-01-16
SWAMI GAVE LIST
Of s LAWYERS FOR
JURY's CHOOSING
Names Submitted on January
9 Included c. S. Whitman
and c. A. Perkins.

Edward Swami. District Attorney, made
public letter which he sent to the mem-
bers of the Extraordinary Grand Jury on
January 8 last in which he Offered TO ap-
point as adviser to the body in its ,inves-
legations Of the alleged Interborough
strike conspiracy the "overshadowing
crime" and the crime believed to lead
into the District Attorneys office any
one of six prominent lawyers in the city.
Mr.. Swami offered to appoint Charles
lS Whitman, William NJ. X Olcott, for
merly District Attorney; Charles Albert
Perkins, who succeeded Mr. Whitman as
District Attorney when the latter became
Governor; John w. Goff, retired Justice
or the Supreme Court; Warren w. Foster,
one-time Judge of General Sessions;
Charles w. Appleton. formerly a magis-
trate, or William Dean Embree,. counsel
for the Public Defenders Committee, of
which John d. Rockefeller. Jr.. is the
head.
Had Letter Five Days.
INA brief statement which accompanied
the copies OF the letter. given out by Mr.
Swami, the District Attorney called at
tention to the fact that the jury was in
possession of his letter five days before
Raymond F. Almirall, foreman, on behalf
OF the body. sent letters to Governor
II,
General, but made no mention Of the
communication in either 1etter.
The District Attorney IN his letter de-
clared that he was desirous Of aiding the
body to obtain correct informa ton on
every matter or case in the District At
torney's office concerning which you may
have received any inquiry or communica-
ton, and my particular interest Is that
you should be intelligently aided in the
receipt of the facts"
He then offers to designate as Special
Assistant District Attorney to act as ad-
wiser to the body any one of the men
mentioned Ito examine into and ascertain
the exact facts and the correct principles
of law applicable to any and all matters
in the District Attorneys office, concern
ing which you may have received. or may
hereafter receive, any inquiry or informa-
tion and also as to the manner in which
it was or is handled, and the action of any
person or persons in regard thereto"
These gentlemen thoroughly understand
the duties, powers and responsibilities OF
the District Attorney, the administration
Of the criminal law and its practice and
procedure declares the District Attorney
in submitting the names of the lawyers
II do not know of any lawyers more capa-
BILE of aiding you to become correctly in
formed on any subject in the District
Attorney 5 OIIlce.
whichever gentleman you may select
who will accept the retainer, will imme-
diately retain as special counsel to the
Grand Jury, and will expect him to spare
no pains or effort to satisfy you in regard
to any matter in the District Attorney s
office The records of the office will be
open to him, and he will obtain the in
formation and condrct his examination in
any way he may deem best
For Direct Communication.
Mr.. Swami then said that the Grand
Jurors could communicate directly with
the lawyer they might select.
! Evidently the District Attorney did not
expect the inquisitors to avail themselves
of the services of any one of the lawyers
mentioned in his letter. for he continues
''In order not to place unnecessary ex-
pense upon the already overburdened tax
PAYERS / would suggest that, as some OF
Your members are graduates of Harvard
and your secretary is a college graduate
and member of the Bar, having practised
law in Omaha. and at Creede and Cripple
Creek. Col, and declares himself to be the
head of the largest newspaper syndicate in
the country, I am personally convinced
that YOU do not need any outside assist
ance to inform yourselves on any subject
or person IN the District Attorneys office,
which has always been open TO you.
1T would relieve the city treasury OF the
unnecessary burden of expensive counsel
lie YOU would delegate your secretary,
whose legal and journalistic experience
qualities him for the task. to the duty of
personally making such investigation as
YOU desire into the District Attorneys Of
flee. it's cases and its personnel, and OF
framing a repork thereon"