New-York tribune., 1920-03-10
Mayor Acts After Judge
McAdoo Refuses to Hold
John Doe Inquiry in
the Police Graft Cases
Rail for Women
Witnesses Raised
Cunson i'm an Affidavit
Questions Good Faith
Of Prosecutors Office

Following the refusal of Chief
Magistrate McAdoo to institute s
Iohn Doe inquiry into the charges
Of vice graft in the Police Depart
ment until formal charges are sub.
mitted, Mayor Hylan called upor
District Attorney Swami yesterday
10 lay before Judge Malone or Mag
istrate McAdoo Immediately such
evidence as he may have.
In a letter to Mr.. Swami the
Mayor also announced the discovery
Mat the Indictment of Detective
John ]. Gunson, of the staff of In
,spector Dominick Henry, could not
be regarded as a reflection upon the
present police administration. He
pointed out that the acts of which
Gunson is accused were committed
during the administration of Mayor
Mitchell and Police COMMISSIONS,
Woods. His letter follows:
Enclosed find copy of letter re-
eeived from Judge McAdoo, also a
copy Of letter from the Police
Commissioner which was referred
10 Judge McAdoo, asking that a John
Doe or public inquiry be begun.
Judge McAdoo is ready to act if
proper information be presented
to him. fnasmuch as your assistant.
Mr.. Smith, says he has information,
would suggest that he present the
same to Judge MyAdoo or Judge Ma
lone. or any judge whom you may
deem advisable. to start an investi-
CATION so that the full facts may be
made public.
"The Mayor and the Police Com
missioner should also have such in
formation, so that they may take
action. | can assure you that the
people have little confidence in some
Of these grand jury Investigations
which are held behind closed doors.
Points to Gunson Case
Statements have been made that
there are over 1000 alleged disor-
Derby fats and apartments in this
city, of which the w-enforcing au-
featlon so that they can be sup
pressed. Also if there are any po-
lice officers or officials who are vio-
latng the law we likewise want to
know the names of these officers so
that the Police Commissioner may be
able to take action
THE fact that a police officer by
the name of Gunson has been indict-
ed for acts that took place in 1917
under Police Commissioner Woods
and during Mayor Mitchel's term
iAlld not reflect discredit or be
ehasged up against this administra-
~. | think it is time facts are
presented instead Of differences and
lnnuendos.
Il can assure you that we will
give you every possible cooperation,
and the Police Commissioner, as we'll
as myself, is anxious to know the
names of the men in the Police
pepartment VINO are not performing
their duties properly"
The Mayor dispatched his letter to
ewann following receipt Of the follow
ing letter from Chief Magistrate Nc
Adoo:
Replying to your letter of. this
cate with Enclosures from Commits
sloner Enright asking that John
zoe inquiry be made with reference
70 certain published statements re-
sardng the existence OF disorderly
houses in this city:
Under the law proper informa-
aon stating the facts and charging
unknown persons with having COM
mitted some crime or offense must
oe presented TO me before l can take
any action. await the filing of such
information"
Malone Guards Secrecy
intlmation that he would not permit
John Doe inquiry into the vice graft
iihaiges by the grand jury over which
as Is presiding and whose indictme nj
VI detective John J. Gunson led to the
general charges of vice graft in the
ae doIGe Department was given yester.
say uay oy Judge James 7. Malone when ir
said: @''" '"1' '"e jug
nave been Informed that some
Mo}eet m; Is under way that may interfere
".th tne serious work upon which you
~ S'e embarked. Under the law your duty
~. 10 inquire into any crime that is
'0aM,mltted mn, in the county.
~. iour duty is, of course, to protect
.m;,. ms innocent and to see to it that the
~ saI'iey are not concealed, no matter
so @mo ene guilty may be- The law has
.Sa. Sa.e down from the days of Cromwell
Csh. ns. your work is to be kept in secret
;,;serwise, /, the very purpose for which
aS uesigned may be defeated.
.,,..ish wish to say to you that if any
xasn xsnapt Is made to interfere with your
,ons. ,a or to obstruct the justice of the
msn H'y the statute provides that you
Snss. inquire into the willful miscon.
eons. .e OF any public official in the
sar NY | do not care who that per
ms,. may be or how exalted his station
ara pe. Your duty is supreme. You
You. .ne watchman of the county during
'0uf term of office.
Laws Must Be Enforced
to nope that you will have no reason
Movo complain about your labors here
ths"e tnan this cannot be said: less
Eaa this could not be left unsaid
tho are old laws and have stood
int. .ests of ages. rney must not be
mn, n,s''ered with and your powers must
ave sc encroached upon.
A,..;oou VIII now return to your delib-
ths.. rooms to take up any work
that comes before you within the scope
nina :, nave already advised. Keep in
hAt" enose instructions and place your
atts,u s upon the neck of any one who
Tfa,pts to subvert your powers"
nss Ssoh application of District Attor.
bs;l e%ann, Judge Malone increased the
hsla " ~ Jennie Carello and Kitty DAILY
~, "a the House of Detention as mate
son smitnesses against Detective Gun.
hie, rom $4,000 to $4,000. The Dis.
6a;l ,As1torney applied for increase OF
brio;nsi,,,oewing the offer of the bail sci
nave reason to believe" said
Continued on pass thrss