New-York tribune., 1920-01-28
La Cuardia's
Letter Draws
Hirshfield Fire
''Who Is Feeding You Up on
Ghost Stories?'' Is Reply
of Accounts Commission
er to Food Sale Questions
Again Attacks DR.. Day
President of Aldermen Asks
for ItemiZed Account of
Expenditure of Funds

F. n. La Guardia, president of the
Board Of Aldermen, in letter sent
yesterday to Commissioner of Accounts
David Hirshfeld replying to Mr.. Hirsh
fields request for information to aid in
the investigation into the sale Of sur
plus army foodstuffs 6y the city, asked
for an itemized s=eount of expendi
lures Mr. La Gusrdia's letter drew
tart reply from the Commissioner of
Accounts. He said he resented any
imputation that he wasn't conducting
the investigation fairly
Mr.. La Guardia's specific questions
asked in his letter follow:
"1. Why was this army food not
sold at cost plus actual expenses, and
why was it sold at prices to bring such
enormous profit the disposition Of
which seems to embarrass the city
officials?
Wants 1temized Statement
40 Will you kindly obtain an item
ICED statement showing how the sum
of s1s5,339.o7, charged to hire of help
state that l am reliably informed that
policemen and city officials were de-
tailed to each selling depot and they
received no extra compensation. / am
also reliably informed that watchmen,
who also handled the unloading Of the
food, we're the only ones paid, and that
they received 81 day. I am also in
formed that there were a number Of
women and men who volunteered their
services and did not receive any COM
pensation. This being public money
took proper Vouchers for every cent
they disbursed. The vouchers, there
fore, should be produced to account for
this amount.
"3. You will also kindly obtain an
itemized statement showing how the
amount of $l45,425.74 charged to truck
ing was spent. The name of the truck
men and the number of trips will an
doubtedly appear. on the vouchers. This
also being public funds the public of
fcials have no doubt vouchers for every
cent they have disbursed 1t is also
stated that the trucking privilege
was given to a Long Island contractor
and he in turn hired other truckmen
at margin of about S5 for each truck.
am sure you viii look into this to de-
termine whether or not this particular
transaction was to the best interest of
the city and the use of the funds.
-. There is an item, am informed,
of little over $4,000 charged to mis-
cellaneous charges. The vouchers
making up this item, | believe, should
also be examined.
Charges Large Profits
20. lnasmuch as the purpose of the
sale of this food was to get it direct
to the consumers, it would be interest
ing to obtain information concerning
the sale of dried and evaporated fruit.
| understand that sale slip for each
sale was made and kept. 1t is stated
that the food was not sold direct to the
consumers, but to a few jobbers at
profit OF from seven to eight cents a
pound"
Mr.. La Guardia in his letter said that
he expected to have some additional
information from Washington within
few days and would forward it to Mr..
Hirshfeld. He closed with a promise
10 assist in any bona fda investigation.
The major also wanted to know how
Mr.. Hirshiield got time to write letters
as long as that asking for Mr. La
Guardia's information.
In his reply Mr. Hirshfield said that
he was natural born. speedy letter
writer. He said that it took him less
tune to write long letter than it took
the average man to write short one.
Then, too, he said. he was at his Office
from early morning to late at night,
and that, besides. he hadn't had more
than nine or ten days of vacation in the
last year and a half He was also
anxious to learn, he confessed, the
identity Of the man who was "feedinp
you up with all sorts of ghost stories :"
welcome your cooperation and as
sistance at any time" Mr. Hrshfie Id
wrote, but 1T must be on the level, as
otherwise it would not be worth the
while | hope you will pardon mo for
saying it, but my first experience with
you Is not inspiring"
Attacks DR.. Day
The letter which set the typewriter
clicking, Mr.. Hirshfeld's lengthy mos
sage to Mr.. La Guardia, was confned
chiefly to an attack on former Markets
commissioner Dr. Jonathan C. Day
The Commissioner of Accounts charged
DR.: Day with stirring up the new diff
culties over the food sale. He sale
that he thought the reverend doctor
had enough investigation to satisf,
him, particularly after his skyrocket at
tempt to have himself investigated b.
the extraordinary grand jury when h
cunningly had himself appointed proc
ess server to procure from the Depart
ment Of Public Markets only sue
papers as he thought should be brough
to light against him.
Mr., Hirsh.ield said that he was onl
awaiting the return Of his papers b
tho grand jury before submitting ther
to the District Attorney for action.
A resolution was introduced in tn
Board OF Aldermen yesterday by B. {
Viadeck. leader Of the Socialist dele
cation. calling upon the Markets Com
missioner to appear before the boar
and explain why surplus army food
stuhs were sold at profit Alderma
vladeck said that Secretary Of Wa
BAKER In response TO an inquiry, ha
written that the food was to be sol
without profit. This was called by III
SOCIALISTS direct reputation Of for
mer Aldermanic President Robert I
Moran's statement made during th
sale that the food was to be sold a
prices which would not disturb tn
local food nnrket nv <aolo..