New-York tribune., 1921-04-15
Livingston Adhcrent in
Assembly Introduces
Resolution to Delay In
quiry Until November /
Move Defeated by
Ruling of Speaker
Action Would Protect
Crafters by Limitation;
Board Meets April 25
From, a Staff Correspondent

ALBANY, April 14.-Tammany Hall
with the aid of Jacob A. Livingston, OF
Brooklyn, is still hoping that some
thing may happen within the next
twenty-four hours to prevent legis-
lative inquiry into the Hearst-Hylan-
Tammany regime. To-day one of Mr.
Livingston's adherents, Assemblyman
Frederick A. Wells, of Brooklyn, sought
to amend the resolution by postponine
the graft investigation until Novem-
Der /.
Mr.. Wells, however, was ruled out OF
order. The resolution was not before
the house, as the Rules Committee has
decided not to report it out for con-
currencN~ until tomorrow.
Mr.. Livingston's representative an
nounced later that he would seek tc
amend the resolution when it was uI
for action tomorrow. The effect Of
such an amendment would be twofold
1t would prevent the legislative com.
mittee from laying bare the graft anc
corruption of the New York City gov
eminent before Election Day and woule
help the earstHylan-Tammany ticket
next fall.
Another effect of the amendment
would be to prevent the prosecution
Of grafters whose crimes occurred
more than eighteen months ago, as by
November l these pilferers of tbs
public purse would be immune from
criminal action because of the statute
Of limitations.
This is the phase of the situation
which is giving greatest concern tc
those who are fighting for real and
thorough inquiry into graft and re-
lentless prosecution of the grafters.
Tammany tonight is making poll
Of the Assembly to see what support
can be obtained for the Wells amend.
ment. Promises are being made .e
behind such proposal. In some in
stances threats are being made. This
friends of an investigation are not idle
either. They, too, are working among
the members to prevent a possible
detection. 1t is not believed that with
tho support now behind the resolution
with Governor Miller openly and ag.
gressively insisting that the corrup.
ton be barred, the latest Lvings-
ton-Tammany alliance will succeed ir
it's eleventh-hour efforts to block the
probe.
SO convinced are the Republicans
who want to put an end to the con
ditions in New York City that neithe,
Mr.. Livingston nor Tammany Hall car
prevent an investigation that they
have already begun to prepare theil
plan of campaign.
1t has been decided that the frs,
meeting of the graft hunters will be
held Monday, April Is, in the Board Of
Estimate meeting room. This meeting
will be for the purpose of organizing
Counsel will be engaged and sub-com
mittees appointed. These sub-commit
tees each will be charged with sepa
rate task. One will be assigned to gel
the material in shape for the examina
tion of those who will lay bare the cor
ruption in the Police Departm an
other will be charged with preparing
the case against the Office of Dis:rict
Attorney Swami; other sub committee!
will be at work on the Dock, Stree
Cleaning and other departments of thu
Hearst-Hylan-Tamman government.
1t is believed that it will take these
subcommittee at least one month t
get the preliminary work done.
When their work is completed thu
public hearings will begin and the rea
work of the committee-exposiny enc
prosecuting the grafters-will begin.