New-York tribune., 1920-06-23
Six Secret Bills Voted by
Extraordinary Grand
Jury Examining Into
Charges in Smith Case
Pleas To Be Made
This Afternoon
Lid Is Clampcd Tightly
Down on Findings and
Officials Remain Silent

Two high city officials are reported
to have been named in secret indict-
mcnt handed up yesterday by the
extraordinary grand jury.
Beyond vouchsafing that the indict-
ment charged six persons with mis-
demeanor," Supreme Court Justice
Barlow S. Weeks refused to divulgo
any information and he strictly for
bade court attaches and members Of
the grand jury to do so. He said the
defendants would be notified to appear
to plead at 2:30 this afternoon, when
their identity will be disclosed.
Since the conviction about ten days
ago of Police Inspector Doninick Henry
for perjury the extraordinary grand
jury has been devoting most of it's
time to an inquiry into the activi
tics of David Hirshficld, Commissioner
of Accounts; Harry H. Klein. Deputy
Comm issioner Of Accounts; Police
Commissioner Richard t. Enrigh- and
others in the publication of graft
charges against James 4. Smith, As
sistant District Attorney. 1t was for
swearing that Smith had sought his
cooperatiol il protecting gambling
that Henry was found guilty of per
jury and sentenced to from two to five
years in prison
After the conviction Of Henry Deputy
Attorney General William Rand. who
conducted the prosecution, made this
statements:
AS a matter of fact, if not
Of law, the Commissioner Of Police,
the Commissioner of Accounts and the
Mayor Of New York are in no small
measure responsible for the occasion
which now calls for the judgment of
the court"
Commissioner Enright, 1t was brought
out at the'~Henry trial, had directed
The inspector to make public on March
25 last six afidavits containing allega-
tions against Smith which Henry had
filed with Enright two years before
Called before the extraordinary grand
jury, Henry verified these afidavits
under oath, and after that body had
heard the denials of the men he men
toned it indicted him for perjury. In
acquiescing in plea for leniency
when Henry was sentenced Mr., Rand
pointed out to Justice Weeks that
Henry had pcrjured himself not for
" IA l. N
sense of loyalty to his superiors.
Hrshfeld figured in the campaign to
dscredit Mr.. Smith in the role of
sponsor of "testimony" given before
him BY Jacob l.. Goldman and Bern
ard Freedman. Goldman, an ex-con-
vict. admitted that his life work varied
from picking pockets to forging checks.
with an occasional appearance as a
"framed-up" witness. Freedman was
perjury committed at trial in the
United States District Court.
+ Asks for Inquiry
Last month Hirshfeld made public
the sworn statements of Goldman and
Freedman to the effect that Louis Saw
iner. who was indicted on a charge of
keeping a disorderly house in 1913,
paid $4,000 10 Smith to clay down" on
the prosecution.
Smith fatty denied the accu; alton
and termed 1t an attempt on the part
Of members Of the city administration
20 frighten him into dropping the po-
lice and vice prosecutions.
The extraordinary grand jury was
convened to investigate the activities Of
anarchists in this city by order Of Gov
crnor Smith, last August, following the
report of the Lusk committee
In the latter part OF August District
Attorney Swami asked that the body be
assigned to investigate an alleged con
spiracy in connection with the strike of
employees of the subway and elevated
systems. Later the attention Of the jury
was called to the alleged conspiracy 10
increase the price of milk, and still
more recently to vice conditions in this
city.
Unusual Secrecy Prevails
Not for years has the "lid' been so
tightly clampcd down on grand jury
finding. There wasn't a soul among
tho five or six officials, in addition to
the Jurors who knew the contents of
the indictment. who would venture the
slightest hint Foreman Raymond +.
Aimirall handed up the Indictment
about p. m.
Although the Criminal Courts Build
ing has been bu=zirg for week over
the prospect Of important personages
being caught in the net Of the Al
nrall grand jury, it was not expected
that action would come so soon. The
grand jury finished hearing witnesses
at $3.50 and was in executive session
70. more than an hour before it vent