The New York herald., 1921-04-14
UNLIMITED POWER
FOR GRAFT INQUIRY
Resolution Passes the Senate,
SO to IL, and Assembly
Will Adopt 1t.
100000 FOR WOR,
Measure Provides. Committee
Can Force Testimony in Inves-
tigation of Hylan Regime.
Special Despatch TO TIE NEw YorK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Albany. April H.

Special Despatch to THE Nrw YorK HxxALD.
New York herald Bureau.
Albany. April II.
Whatever there Is Of graft or waste
in New York's municipal administra-
ton, resulting either from incom-
potency or dishonesty, is to be exposed
to the public by the Legislature.
The broadest possible kind OF an in
veetigation was assured to-day when
tho resolution providing for creation OF
a legislative committee passed the SEN
ate by a vote of S6 to II. The resoiu-
ton will be presented tomorrow in
the Assembly, where passage is GER
tain.
Greater powers than ever before
were given State investigating body
are conferred in this resolution. Sen
ators Burlingame and Harris, Republi-
cans. voted against 1t and Senator
Cotillo, Democrat. voted for it.
The committee is authorized not
only to investigate all charges Of graft
and to follow the trails Of all alleged
wrongdoing barred after the inquiry
starts, but also to find out tho cause.
foy the citys sad financial plight and
how II can be remedied; what is the
reason for tho mounting budget, and
| find the leaks and duplication Of de
partrnents in the city government.
yo Limit to Inquiry.
N order that there can be no question
of the committees powers the -esolu-
ton adds:
"The investigation OF the committee
may include every other rnatter and
thing not specifically mentioned IN thh
resolution relevant to the general ques-
ton of ascertatning and improving the
financial condition OF said city and the
structure and administration OF the
government thereof. and OF the counties
geographically included therein, as
though the same had been expressly
Specified
The committee can subpoena witnesses
aud compel the production or books and
records and the cooperation or all city
of. i.,ais and employees. 1t has power 70
force any official or person to testify.
II IL 20 determines it can refuse to ex-
cu.e n witness from testjfying on the
ground that the testimony may tend 70
incriminate him. II Is provided. how
ever. that no persons. duly claiming such
an excuse. shall be subjected to prose-
cution or penalty on account OF the
Transaction concerning which ho gave
evidence.
The committee Is 70 make Its Anal
report TO the Legislature not later than
February 1 of next year, and also Is TO
rsnort from time to time 20 the Charter
Revision Commission, which will begin
sittins next November The sum OF
100000 appropriated.
SAYS Finances Are I'm Peril.
Tho resolution states that the flnan-
c,aI status OF the city Is in a perilous
posit,on and that the revenue Is INSULT
oient to meet the requirements OF the
public schools and other municipal de-
partrnents. This Is due, K says, In part 10
lirefflciency, waste and corruption In the
, VA rio1s departments OF the city govern
ment.
"It Is also the common report" says
tho resolution. that the personnel ond
the current administration Of various
departments OF tho government OF the
city have been demoralized ana sub
jected TO practices prejucicial to -he
public interest.
TT has been repeatedly stated in pub
lie reports and as matters OF public In
formation. that the flnancia! difficulties
Of the city and tho inefficiency and
woste in the administration of its gov-
ernment are due In part 10 duplication
ard defects in the structure OF It's gov
ernment under existing laws.
There Is. and for long time has
been, an insistcnt and widespread de-
mand by citizens that the Legislature
inquire into all such matters for the
purpose or enabling the Legislature to
correct abuses. euro defects and afford
relief"
The resolution was bitterly assailed By
the Democrats. Senator Walker. Demo-
cratic leader charged the majority with
----------