New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-04-10
Entire New York County
Delegation Unites for
Inquiry as 9 Brooklyn
Men Quit Livingston
Bronx Chief Joins
Koenig in Demand
Action Here Breaks Dead.
lock Over Question of
Inquiry ON City Rule

The thirteen Republican Assembly,
men and three Republican Senators
from New York County unanimously
decided yesterday to vote for legs-
lstive investigation of the New York
City government on the lines sug-
gested by Governor Miller.
Six Brooklyn Republican Assembly
men and three Republican Senators
have deserted Elections Commissioner
Jacob A. Livingston in his attempted
coalition with Tammany. The Senator
and the Assemblyman from Richmond
County also have repudiated their
county leader, James P. Thompson and
Joined with those in favor of legis-
lative inquiry into New York City af-
fairs.
Richard W. Lawrence, Republican
leader of the Bronx, has joined with
President Koenig of the New York
County Committee in supporting Gov
ernor Miller in his plan to have a
thoroughgoing investigation of city de-
partments.
Joseph A. DeBragga, the Queens
leader, stands with Livingston in oppo-
sition to any kind of legislative inves-
tigation but the combined strength of
Livingston and DeBragga is so shat
tered that President Koenig predicted
last night that when the roll is called
government under Hearst-H Hylan-Ta
many control the vote will be unani.
nous.
The action yesterday of the New
York Senators and Assemblymen is
regarded as the deciding factor in the
deadlock over the proposed investi-
CATION. The legislative leaders will
hold conference in Albany on Mon
day to agree upon the scope Of the in
vestigation.
Question Fully Discussed
President Koenig Of the New York
County organization presided yester-
day at the conference of New York
County legislators. The subject of
gain or loss from a legislative investi-
cation was discussed at length. Presi-
dent Koenig told the members that pub
lie sentiment demanded support for
Governor Miller in his desire to abol-
ish graft and extravaganza and put an
end to manifest abuses.
After the conference broke up, Mr..
Koenig said:
"Three Senator's and thirteen Assem-
blymen unanimously voted for a charter
investigation on the lines suggested by
Governor Miller. 1t was quite gener-
ally conceded that New York City gov
ernment needs reorganization in the
interest of economy.
ut also was conceded by those in
the conference that q careful investi-
cation of the practical workings of the
various departments will disclose that
they in some degree overlap each other
that they are overmanned, and that
many bureaus can be abolished to, the
positive benefit of the city and without
injuring any department or bureau.
Governor Miller and his advisers
have shown the taxpayers of the state
how 10Y: to reduce the state budget, accom-
plishing saving of about SIS, 900 900
1t is fair assumption that even a
greater saving can be brought to pass
in this city. The only effective way
to bring this to pass is to get
the facts. After the facts are ascer-
tanned the Legislature can draft bills
to make the necessary changes"
What if this charter investigating
committee strikes trail leading to
graft or criminality 2"
"As public officials the members of
that committee will have a duty to
perform. l assume that they will fol
low all trails that promise to lead to
important results"
When asked if Commissioner Living.
! tons attitude of opposition was likely
to continue, now that the New Yorl
members favor an inquiry, Mr.. Koenie
said:
Every man is responsible for his owr
acts. have no desire to comment or
the acts of any one else. My informa.
Ilon is That majority of the Senator.
and Assemblymen from the city will
support resolution calling for an in.
vestigation. The scope of the investi
cation and the personnel of the commit.
tee doubtless will be arranged in AL.
bany on Monday"
Chairman Koenig said it was under
stood that Senator Schuyler Meyer, o.
Manhattan, would be the head of the
committee.
Richard W. Lawrence, the Bron,
leader, when told of the action of the
New York County men, said it now
seemed certain that there would be ar
inquiry the aim of which primaril,
would be constructive results.
Those in the conference yesterday al
county committee headquarters were
Senators Meyer, Duggan and Tolbert
Assemblymen Ullman, Fox, Reiss
Rayher, Aronson, Nichols, Wallace
Stcinberg, Lieberman, Smith, Di Pirro
Hawkins and Jesse.