The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-08

sion Mr.. Untermyer said he thought the
time had come to make a plain state
ment OF the committees purposes. This
was occasioned by the speculation heard
on all sides for several days regarding
legislative plans for investigating the
EIylan administration. Just how IL will
be done has not been determined, but 1t
is regarded as a certainty that what
ever course is adopted Mr. Unterniyer
will be the lawyer who will lead the
committee. His purpose was to empha-
size that the housing inquiry Is far
more important than a municipal in
vestigation, and that the existing in
quiry should not be prejudiced or i'm
paired by political developments
Much Work for Grand Juries.
Because or the obstacles thrown in
the way of the committee, such as de-
stroyed and forged records and missing
witnesses. and the fact that the COM
mittee has a tremendous mass of evil
dence which cannot possibly be pre-
sented In orderly manner in many
months, 1t Is necessary, Mr.. Untermyer
said, to present the case in a sketchy
way and then leave the rest for the
Grand Juries to fill in. He continued:
done 1t will require the exclusive time
Of half a dozen grand juries and of
about thirty capable assistant district
attorneys and a large staff oof investi-
gators for many months to come. With
the converting Of the new Legislature we
shall be prepared to submit resolution
for the continuance of the inquiry in
which the defects in the present resolu-
ton will be ren1edied and the scope Of
the inquiry and the power of the COM
mittee will be materially broadened.
$50 far as I am concerned. and be-
lieve so far as the committee is con-
cerned. this committee win not accept
the duty or power to investigate the city
administration or the city departments
do not mean to imply that they are
not sadly in need Of investigation. Suf-
ficient has already been developed, and
still more Is known to us, to satisfy me
that such an inquiry is necessary In the
best interests of the city. providing 1t
can be done with thoroughness and in
a spirit of entire fairness and non-par-
tisanship.
Our committee has other and far
more important work than investigating
the city departments. l do not question
that there has been an orgy Of inef-
fiency and extravaganza. If not worse
with few notable exceptions. Our con,
mfttee has, however. still barely scratched
the surface. The integrity of it's labors
and the puiic confidence that it must
enjoy render it imperative that there
shall be no suspicion of partisan or po-
litical motives or leanings surrounding
its activity.
Foundation for Drastic LAW.
H., =,
erect foundation on which to build
our comprehensive structure of proposed
constructive legislation. 1t will be dras-
tic and far reaching. / think, some may
say almost revolutionary. in the hope Of
reversing narrow economic policy, that
has prevailed In the Federal and State
government.
''In order to succeed this legislation
must have the support Of the Legisla-
ture and the public regardless of party
lines. II your committee were to become
involved in a city investigation that
would not be possible, and I regard 1t
as more important that the integrity of
our purpose should be maintained. and
its freedom from partisanship. than a
dozen city Investigations, however useful
they may be-
I'VE are hopeful that by transferring
the unfinished branch of the present in
curry, as above indicated we shall be
able. possibly shortly before the begin
ming OF the new year. to take UP the in
surance and banking end of the inquiry.
Il am sorry to say that we are con-
tinuing to meet with anything but CO.
operation from the Department Of Jus
tice and the Federal authorities. Under
cover of proclamations and protestations
of cooperation we get nothing
'(freat hopes were raised IN, nc cor,,a
time ago by the appearance of Senator
Calder here before your committee. We
thought that with his aid we might be
able to get Jurisdiction before his com
mittee. sitting with us, over witnesses
who find Philadelphia, Newark and other
places much more congenial at this time
of the year, but we have thus far been
disappointed in that hope
I'VE have gathered great deal of
data, but to present that data under the
rules of legal evidence, which we are
endeavoring to adhere to as far as pos
sible, would take almost the rest of next
year. and so we shall go into such of
them as we can and turn over tho ovi-