New-York tribune., 1921-08-25
Ex Senator McManus,
Friend of O'Malley, Is
Named by Merchant
in Explaining Checks
Erasure Exposed
On a $500 Draft
Never Probers Discover
Chemicals Hide $4,000
Stall Deal cord

The name of former Senator Thomas
]. McManus, a Tammany leader of the
sth Assembly District and an intimate
friend of Edwin J. O'Malley, Commits
soner of Markets, was mentioned yes
terday in connection with the graft
revelations by the Meyer legislative
committee, which is Investigating the
city administration.
The strange story involving his name
adduced at yesterdays session Of the
committee in City Hall had every ele-
ment of the absorbing detective story,
including as it did the mysterious OBJ
Iteration of ledger entries, their magic
restoration by an expert chemist and
document authority, and the doubtful
disposal of two checks, one for $4,000
and another for $500.
Mystery of Market Stand
All of this grew out Of the circum-
stances, as related by witnesses, sur
rounding the transfer of a market
stand in West Washington Market from
Albert Kloblein to AdoIph Kahn on
April II Of this year.
The witnesses showed from the be-
ginning a decided unwilingness to tell
what they knew Of the circum stances,
apparently because of the action of
Commissioner G'Malley in revoking the
stand licenses of the three merchants
who had testified to extortion practices
the day before. Christian Haslob, one
Of the previous days witnesses, yes
terday received formal announcement
from Commissioner O'Malley that his
stand permit in Washington Market
had been revoked
Eion r. Brown, chief counsel to the
committee, and Leonard A. Wallstein,
MS associate, announced yesterday that
Cyrus c. Miller, an attorney Of 302
Broadway, had been retained to pro
tect all witnesses whose permits were
ordered cancelled by the Commissioner
Mr. Miller was the Republican coali-
sion designate for the Office of Pres-
dent Of the Board of Aldermen, but
refused to run. He is counsel to the
West Washington Market Merchants
Association.
Swami to Protect Witnesses
District Attorney Edward Swami also
rushed to the assistance Of the COM
mittee yesterday, appearing at its hear
'ngs III company with his chief assist
ant, JoaO H. Banton. The District At
sorney issued statement saying he
would grant immunity to any persons
VINO would come forward with informa-
'ion indicating graft or extortion by d
cisy offlcial and that ne would proxc-
.eufe all such cases brought to his at
$ention.
g. Assistan. District Attorney Bantor
declared last night that he had a con-
sersstlon with Judge Alfred J. Taley in
connection with the matter and that
'asser ted him he would be inclined to
give immunity 20 persons giving evil
1enee OF graft IL such cases come be-
'ore him. Mr. Banton also said that he
nad received communication from
Commissioner O'Ma'Iey, IN which tha
aver requested the District Attorney 8
olnce 10 obtain from the Meyer com
Mi''ee any information it has relating
o alleged cs9es Of bribery with a view
% prosecuting those involved
ias hearing yesterday was conducted
MN comparative quiet, although there
~s'e oecasional outburgts Of applause
"nen replies Of witnesses were sharr
persistently elasive There was
-aoca clapping, particularly when As
eMo'yman Maurice Boch. Democratic
asInn Of the committee, demanded
.aa' the committee permit witness
- ~ MAKE statement out of order
>oohses can't get away With this" he
LCentIagsd On paae 30