New-York tribune., 1920-04-20
Governor Gives
Jury Rein in
Swami Inquiry
Scope of Investigation Is
Broadened on Report of
Col. Rand That CHARGES
Have Been Found True
Entire Office Under Fire
District Attorney Asserts
Attacks Are Inspired as
Result of Means Case

Governor Smith issued an executive
order yesterday broadening the powers
Of the Attorney General in connection
with the investigation of District At
torney Swann's office which is being
conducted by the extraordinary grand
jury, of which Raymond F. Almirall is
the foreman. The order was issued
at the request of Attorney General
Charles D. Newton, who wrote to the
Governor that reports made to him by
his deputy, Colonel William Rand, were
to the effect that the grand jury's
charges that "grave delinquencies and
irregularities" existed in the District
Attorneys office were correct.
Colonel Rand was appointed special
deputy by Mr.. Newton to aid in his
investigation of charges against John
T. Dooling, Edward F. Kilroe and James
f. Smith.
The original investigation confined
the extraordinary grand jury to prob
ing charges against these three. With
it's broadened scope the jury will now
have the power of investigating Mr..
Swann's entire staff.
Newton's Letter to Governor
Mr.. Newton's letter to the Governor
follows:
II certify that, according to reports
made to me by Colonel William Rand,
my deputy, pursuant to your requisi-
tion of February II, 1920, the statement
by the grand jury that information has
come to them of grave delinquencies
and irregularities, tending to show will
full and corrupt misconduct in the Of
flee Of the District Attorney of the
County of New York. is correct, and
that in my judgment the request of the
grand jury for legal advice and assist
ance, Independent of the District At
torney Of the County of New York, is
reasonable and proper, and should, in
the public interest. be granted"
Official notice of Governor Smiths
order had not reached Mr. Swami late
last night. Neither had Colonel Rand
nor Mr.. Almirall heard of it officially.
When told of the Governors move
Mr. Swami appeared to be greatly sur
prised, and at first was not inclined to
credit the report. He declared that
grand juries had not the right to start
general investigations of public officials
unless specific charges had been made.
Jury to Meet Thursday
Colonel Rand and Mr. Almirall re-
fused to comment on the order until
they had been officially informed Of it.
1t was said last night that the eXtraor-
dinary grand jury probably would meet
again Thursday.
To Tribune reporter Mr.. Swami
said last night:
MANY persons mentally unbalanced
have called upon the District Attorney
to prosecute persons whom their it
sane delusions made them believe were
prosecuting them, and when the Dis
trict Attorneys Office discovered that
the complainant was victim of perse-
cutory delusions and had declined to
prosecute innocent people the mentally
unbalanced complainant has appealed
to the extraordinary grand jury.
"The Office of the District Attorney
under the present administration has
prosecuted about 10000 criminal cases,
and many of the criminals who have
been prosecuted have given their side
of their cases to Mr.. Almirall, who
holds brief for all comers against
King Murder Recalled
ain August, 1917, CASTOR B. Means
took Mrs. Maud A. King down to his
native country in North Carolina and
there, while Means and Mrs. King were
alone in dense wood Mrs. King was
shot through the back Of the head with
an automatic pistol. Means was tried
for murder before jury of his friends
and acquaintances, but in the mean
time this Office discovered forged
will which purported to convey SO 00o,-
600 to Mrs. King and a contract from
Mrs. King to Means, whereby he was
to get at least $l,O0O,0O0 of that fund
in the County of New York
"The contention of this Office was
that the scheme and preparation for the
forgery and murder had their inception
in New York County. The will has Just
been declared forgery by the courts
of Chicago. Assistant District Attorney
Dooling performed labor of Hercules
in unearthing these frauds and forger-
les. but Mr.. Almirall is lending aid and
comfort to Mr.. Means to become grossly
abusive Of Mr.. Dooling for tho cx-
cellent work he has rendered the