New-York tribune., 1920-03-11
prosecutor Starts John
Doe Proceeding Before
Grand Jury and Warns
Against Interruption
Hylan and Enright
Both Checkmated
trict Secrecy to Guard
Testimony and Witness
es; S Subpoenas Issued

Efforts to force premature dis
elosure of evidence in the police vice
Investigation were checkmated yes
,erday by the institution of John
me proceedings before the grand
Jury by the District Attorneys Office.
Both Mayor Hylan and Police
Commissioner Enright had called for
mch proceedings in open court, pref
.rably before City Magistrate Nc
Adoo. The present proceedings will
continue behind closed doors, how
ever. and both the identity and the
testimony of the witnesses will be
carefully guarded.
Most significant of the days pro-
eeedings, however, was the announce
meut from the District Attorneys
osce that any move to bring about
other John Doe proceedings in open
court would constitute conspiracy to
defeat the ends of justice. Indictments
would be returned against anybody,
"no matter how high he might be-"
who interfered with the present inves-
tieaton, it was added.
Smith TO Outline Case
The new move Of the prosecutors
Office, represented by James +. Smith,
Is expected to end further talk OF
proceedings in open court such as
would compel the production of wit
nesses who might be reluctant to tell
their stories before interested police
men. Mr.. Smith said yesterday that he
had taken every precaution to safe
guard the identity of all witnesses
from the unGel world who showed a
readiness to assist in uncovering the
facts
As a first move in the grand jury
John Doe proceedings, which will in
tlude every phase of police activity in
the suppression of vice in New
York, Mr. Smith will probably go
tefore the jurors to-day and outline to
them the nature of the charges he
hopes to prove. the names of the Off
eials and civilians he expects to show
are involved and other facts concern
ink the supposed conspiracy to protect
vice in the city.
Five subpnnas were sent out late IN
the afternoon. returnable this morn
ing Among the witnesses named were
Inspectors John Daily and Thomas Nc
Donald, of Police Headquarters.
Another witness is an unnamed city
official. who is expected to tell of the
handling Of money in the Police De-
partment.
1t was explicitly stated, however,
th.I. ,c,d !
thought to know of vice conditions.
They will be questioned only about po-
lice procedure and the methods that
permitted plainclothes men the great
est authority in dealing with women of
the streets
Incidentally, it was learned that
police official who has not been in favor
with the present administration, but
whose reputation for honesty is such rs
to make him the terror of evildoers,
has aided in getting the truth about the
underworld before the grand jurors. 1t
Is not expected that this official will be
summoned to testify before the jury,
however.
High Officer Accused
Just one phase of the investigation
!hes far made, according to q man who
mad talked to one Of the witnesses to
De heard this week, will consist of evil
uence against a commanding officer in
'he Police Department. who is charged
with accepting bribe money on two oc-
easlons. Other evidence against the
same commanding officer is being
sought by the prosecutors volunteer
assistants.
during the afternoon Mr. Smith went
pelore Judge Malone and contested the
nrts raorts OF a lawyer representing Kitty
osiy and Jennie Carello to obtain their
.sease on $4,000 bonds each. The
women are being held as material wit
aesses against John j Gunson, indicted
W charge of eXtortion from a woman
u the streets.
no'n women. whc are being held in
t"!averiy House, had no resources or
ttasnas ttsalas 10 call upon for assistance when
.assy 10y were found by the prosecutors de-
SsIi'ses. AS soon as the fact was pub
s;aeo s;.u mat they were being held as
h'aesses, hn however, moves were made
~ 'ome unnamed friend to obtain their
,ssase. ,.us. The $4,000 bonds would be
''suly found, their lawyer said.
As;sen when Judge Malone increased
NIL, MT ponds to $4,000 each and init
wv N.su mat this sum might be doubled
4 MMey showed a readiness to produce
Ie lawyer did not cease his efforts
"eotaln their release.
Women Remain Silent
.nSslther of the women would say yes
,Ssi;ss who had suddenly appeared in
n Nv, interests with the cash necessary
"sG9otain their release.
moa.t aon't know yet who furnished the
aTns.y' said Miss DAILY.
oo.e you know anything about the
Guest; sss case, about which you are to be
,,,.s No. ! don't know Gunson or his
Issa;e' iIss.aef'" said the woman. 81 can't
1s.;Ne. 1'ne why | am being held here"
fidierIss'ant District Attorney Smith
did,. 'd the statement that Miss Daily
she ,. know Gunson. however. He said
hin was intimately acquainted with
astss; ene was seen on the street with a
sbont M character of the underworld,
Nous ssis wnom we want some informa
il !, said Mr.. Smith. "She can deny
silII;ia.as sne wants. think she will be
srana TO tell the truth before the
did sst Attorney Swami said that he
hefo,ss NV g care to discuss the proceedings
~ nssS stne tne grand jury further than to
preessS;: ne felt certain that "no other
sSu'ngs' ~ would be necessary.
snd;rmu sure that the grand jury is at
lug TO tho praoor%