The New York herald., 1920-01-09
NEW GRAND JURY
INQUIRY INVOLVES
SWAMI ASSISTANTS
Almlrall Body Follows Leads
Obtained from City Officials
Letter File.

A letter written by high city official
to the head OF city department and an
an anonymous letter addressed to the
Extraordinary Grand Jury, It was learned
yesterday, were the basis for an investi-
cation which the inquisitorlal body started
earlier In the day involving two members
OF the staff Of Edward Swami. District
Attorney Charles S. Whitman, a one
tine City Magistrate, and q newspaper
man.
The letter addressed by the high city
official to his subordinate was written
last summer, It was said, and was among
letters seized several weeks ago by the
lnquisitorial body in the private letter file
of the high city official
The anonymous letter was received by
the Grand Jury. it was learned, ueveral
weeks ago, and, while it had no direct
connection with allegations contained in
the letter of the city official. it was said
to contain statement that a member OF
Mr.. Swann's staff at one time had served
as counsel for the Police Lieutenant
henevoent Association, of which Richard
y. Enright. Police Commissioner, was
president. 1t also is alleged TO have de-
clared that member of the District At
torneys staff acted as counsel for Mr.
Enrgkt in libel action he was alleged to
nave begun against n newspaper.
Found In Private File.
Although none OF the members of the
Grand Jury would talk about the letters
it was learned that the letter found in the
ljie of the high city official informed
70 hat af1
that an indictment returned against q
gambler lasr summer or. charge of shoot
ing two detectives in a raid on his gam
bling house in West FIfty-seventh street a
few weeks before was quashed after
$4,000 had been paid to u member of
the staff of the District Attorney. a one
time City Magistrate. who acted as coun
sci in the case for the gambler, and a
newspaper man.
It was learned that the inqustors de-
cidcd it was time to learn if there is any
person in the District Attorneys office who
might be influenced through friendship
for police officials or through the use of
money.
Accordingly, il was said. they called be-
fore them Alfred J. Talley, Chief Assist
ant District Attorney; James Il. Smith,
Assistant District Attorney, who. up to
the signing of the armstice in 1918. con-
Quoted raids resorts in the city at the
request of the federal government. and
Albert B. Unger, Assistant District Attor-
ney, in charge OF the Indictment Bureau
in Mr.. Swanns office.
The nature of their testimony could not
be learned, but when questioned later Mr..
Talley denied he ever was counsel for the
Police Lieutenants' Benevolent Associa-
ton or that he ever had acted as counsel
for Commissioner Enright in libel action.
II never have been counsel for any
police organization" declared Mr.. Talley.
''and az "a fact I haven't seen Mr.. Enright
three times since he became Police Com
missioner"
Mr. whitman Subpoenaed.
It was learned late in the afternoon that
Mr.. Whitman and the gambler mentioned
in the high city officials letter and the
newspaper man had been subpoenaed to
appear before the inquisitorial body Mon
day morning. Mr.. Whitman. II was said.
was subpocnncd to show that the assist
ant district attorney mentioned in tho city
officials letter had conducted many raids
against vice resorts ins the city since Mr.
Whitman, then District Attorney, selected
him as an assistant six years ago. IL also
was learned that tho Assistant District
Attorney wants to demonstrate that he
ceased making raids on resorts in the city
bocausc there was no fhrther need for
such activity owing to the signing OF the
armisticc
The high officials letter. it was de-
clared, stated that tho rumor had II that
the newspaper man had received $4,000 as
his share OF the money advanced for the
dismissal OF the indictment against the
gambler. When questioned about the mat
ter yesterday the newspaper man declared
that M the time he was said to have re-
ceiVcd trc money nc was in Europe.
II LEFT Now York for Europe in Novcnl-
ber. 1915" nc explained. 'and l did not
return 10 this country until September OF
last year"
Mr.. Swami yesterday assumed the role
of indulsitor IN the Grand Jury's investi-
CATION OF the alleged marlborough strike
conspiracy. lie questioned Louis J. Frid-
ger counsel of tho Analgamatcd Associa- =
ton OF street and Electric Railway EN-
ployes. and Patrick J. Shea, member OF
Tho Executive Board OF tho organization.
II was explained that tho District Attor-
ncy was requested 10 examine the wit
nesses 20 reveal " there vas any positive
proof that a conspiracy existed between
officials OF the lnterborough and the
employees brotherhood OF the subway and
elevated systems TO bring about the strike
in August lsst.
II was announced by a member OF tine
Grand Jury that the body will hold a con-
ference today in the office of Raymond
r. Almirall, tho foreman, TO decide on
their future course
Vi was said later that the body had de-
clded not TO confer on the proposals until
next Monday. by which time IL Is ex.
poctod that the inquiry into tho letter of
the hirh city official and the anonymous
letter will have been closed.
Angry Shouts Greet