New-York tribune., 1920-06-07
Citizens Union
Urges Removal
OF Hirshfield
Commissioners of Accounts
Criticized for ssSinister
Exhibition of Cheap Dem
agoguery and Chicanery"
Misuse of Power Charged
ssProstituted Authority for
the Sake of Cheap No
toriety." Statement Says

In the current issue of the SEARCH
light" the official publication of the
Citizens Union. an article under the
heading. Mayor Hylan's Heaviest Liza
biiity' severely criticises the admins
OF Accounts under David Hirshfield
and says that Commissioner Hirsh-
fields removal from Office would be "a
distinct gain for the city"
at is a long time since New York
has witnessed such a sinister exhibit
tion of cheap demagoguery and politi-
cal chicanery as that disclosed in the
conduct of the Commissioner of Ac-
counts Office under it's present head"
the statement says.
There is no official in the city who
kas greater opportunity for wide
public usefulness than the Commits
sloner of Accounts. The present in
cum bent, however, has persistently
prosttuted his authority for the sake
of cheap notoriety, and repeatedly mis-
used the powers Of his office for the
purpose of intimidating citizens who
exercise their legitimate right of criti-
clsm.
Mayor Held Responsible
"There is another aspect Of Commits
sioner Hirshfield's activities, however,
which is even more serious than the
public discredit and contempt which
his Vaccinations bring upon the city
and the Mayor, who is responsible tor
his appointment. This is the real
danger that his extraordinary misuse
of powers may lead to legislative or
other action which will seriously i'm
peril the value and effectiveness of
this Office when properly administered:
Hirshfield's removal from Office would
be a distinct gain for the city. The
curtailment of the present powers of
the Commissioner of Accounts office
would be a regrettable loss"
cent decision of the Court of Appeals
upholding the contention of the union
that in matters within his jurisdiction
= the Commissioner Of Accounts has the
right to examine witnesses without re-
gard to whether they are city officials
or employees or not. At the same time
the court warned that it would be
quick and firm in hating oppressive ex-
ercise of those powers. The union is
may not heed the warning, with the
result that some of the useful powers
now enjoyed by the Office may be de-
stroyed.
Says Powers Are Abused
ne SJdtcuSIlt Ic1SIS W tuC val lVuo
uses to which Commissioner Hirshfeld
has exercised the power of subpoena,
and when baked in his efforts to
counteract criticism against the pres
ent city administration, particularly
the Police Department, proceeded "to
feed to the newspapers the aff1davits
OF forgers and perjurers in support of
his malicious attacks"
GAIL of this savors of the oppressive
abuse of the powers Of his Office" the
statement continues. "It is precisely
that kind of official action which is
likely to result in such change of the
great power for good which is vested
in the Office of the Commissioner of
Accounts. The present Commissioner
for many months has under investiga
tion matters clearly within his juriS
diction affecting the administration of
the Department of Markets. The COM
p!etion Of this investigation and the
publication Of his findings therein
would be decidedly !n the public ic
se:est. The commissiones would be
doing better to devote his energies to
such matters rather than to the op-
pressive misuse Of his power to harass
and browbeat private citizens and pub
lie officials"
Flag Said to Cover Sins
The work of the last Legislature IS
reviewed as "the brainstorm session"
The lawmakers of the state, according
to "The Searchlight," were influenced
by unremitting opposition to anything
Governor Smith favored; thorough
going conviction that New York was
tottering on the verge of Red revolu-
tion, and, third. marked inclination
to consider legislation that differenti-
ated between men and women in in
dustry a demonstration of weakness.
"Never in any legislative body" says
"The Searchlight," "has the old flag
been made to cover such q multitude of
sins, both of omission and commission.
Closest scrutiny fails to disclose any
thing remotely approaching statesman
skip on the part Of those in control.
Even real leadership was almost wholly
lacking" The Governors veto record
on the legislation laid before him, &C
cording to "The Searchlight," is to be
heartily commended