New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-03-30
Cuvillier, Demanding an
Inquiry, Says Demo
cratic Leaders Tried in
Every Way to Stop Him
Sweet Scored i'm
Minority Caucus
Probe by 9 Lawmakers,
for Which $4,000
Would Be Provided
From a Staff Correspondent

From staff Correspondent
ALBANY, March ga resolu-
tion indicting the Hylan administra-
tion, calling for an investigation Of
District Attorney Swann's Office and
all city departments, the Police De-
partment especially, was introduced
in the Assembly tonight by Louis
A. Cuvillier, Democrat, of New
York. The resolution appropriates
$4,000 and provides for an inves-
tigation by four Senators and FIVE
Assemblymen.
The resolution, whicl, was intro
duced hv unanimous consent, after
being read was referred to the Com
mittee on Ways and Means, where
all measures carrying appropriations
must go. That there would be an
effort on the part of some New York
City Democrats to prevent an in
vestigation was evident when AS
senblyman Caesar F. Barra, another
Tammany member. arose to debate
the resolution after the clerk read
it. His motion puts off action on the
measure for week.
Democrats Call Caucus
Assemblyman Charles D. Donohus,
leader of the Democratic minority, was
not in his seat when the resolution was
offered. He tried to have it recalled.
but Speaker Sweet declared that he
was not in order. Imm mediately Assem-
blyman Donohue issued a call for
caucus of the Democratic Assemblymen.
1t was rumored at this juncture that
an effort would be made to read Cuvil-
lier out of the party, but when his COL
Furnishing him vanished. All that was
done was to draft and adopt resolutions
condemning Speaker Sweet for permit
ting the resolution to be introduced in
the absence of the minority leader.
Cuvillier said tonight that the most
prominent men in his party tried to
persuade him not to introduce the reso-
luton.
"Thc wires last night were kept hot
pet" cen Atlantic City and New York
City" said Cuvlllier, "and every effort
was made to get me to let up on this in
vestigation. but | declined to be per-
suaded from what consider the decent
thing to do"
Mayor Hylan and Charles F. Murphy.
leader of Tammany Hall, were in Az
lantlc City last night, and it is under
stood that the kilograms between Al
iantlc City and New York were inspired
oy the joint efforts of Hylan and MUIR
phy to prevent the Investigation.
- fold fhpCo 1ooJor.
said Cuvilliar, chat the situation was
such that II we did not clean house
ourselves the Republicans would ;,
Finally, Cuvillier said he was URGED
IN the name OF party loyalty to forego
his determination to Introduce the res.
olution.
II told them that | was a Democrat.
that was member of Tammany Hall
Tor twenty-eight years." said Cuvillier
II told them that Hylan and his friend
Hearst were wrecking the party in
New York City; that Hearst was max
ing war openly on Governor Smith and
that his friend Hylan was helping
Hearst on the inside, and that if there
was any question of party loyalty it
should not be urged to save Hylan's
administration"
Cuvilller said that he left these Tam
many leaders about midnight.
called on me at my home," said Cuvii
lleH and again pleaded with me to let
up on the investigation. | answered
that If they did not want to stand for
decency in New York City,s cover
ment, if they did not want to clean
house when the house was dirty. thew
could not count on mt. and that | for
one proposed to see that the inefficient
and disorganized administration in New
York City, with all the charges of cor
ruption laid against it and District At
torney Swann's office, should be siftcd
to the bottom
"The fact is all these men are
Democrats, or pose as such, and it /.
Tor us Democrats who stand for law
and order and decency to see that there
is investigation"
The Cuvillier resolution is patterned
largely on the measure which created
the Lexow investigation, which laid
bare the graft and corruption in New
York City, especially in the Police
Department, in 1893. 1t charges me
committee of nine Senators aud "A
semblymen to investigate the general
conditions of government in the Citv
OF New York, the state of turmoil and
unrest and inefficiency in the District
Attorneys office and the police and
other departments, which have ap-
parently broken down.
Text of the Resolution
The committee, which is also e.
pecially charged with the investiea-
ton of the Street Cleaning Depart
ment's failure to remove the snow,
thereby endangering the public health,
Is given broad powers, including that
to punish for contempt. The fesolu-
tion follows:
Whereas, General conditions Of
government in the City of New York
are in state Of turmoil and unrest
and the efficiency of the admins
tration of the District Attorneys
office, the police and other depart
ments has apparently broken down.
and
Whereas, An investigation of ths
Police Department and vice condi-
tions now in progress in the City Of
New York has reached a stage where
charges and counter-charges and re-
ordinations have so befogged tho
atmosphere that the attainment OF 4
remedy 70 existing condition. is IN