New-York tribune., 1921-01-22
$40, 900 Certified Check
of Edward Hatch Jr:,
However, Only Aid Ac-
cepted, and Tentatively
City Action Delayed
By Ida Won Claussen
Members of Police Auto
Squad Questioned as to
Reported d Corruption

he pOTtcU NOrFuptlOU
Unlimited financial support was
offered yesterday to former Cover
nor Charles S. Whitman in his in-
vestigation Of the Hylan adminis-
tration. The voluntary contribu-
tions came from various sources,
and The Tribune was informed last
night that they totalled a quarter
Of a million dollars.
Only one of these contributions
has been accepted by Mr.. Whitman,
and that on a tentative basis. This
was q certified check for $4,000
from Edward Hatch jr., an officer
of the Merchants Association of
New York, owner Of the drygoods
house of Lord & Taylor and domi-
mating figure in number Of other
firms engaged in the same line Of
business.
Hatch Offers Larger Sum
Mr.. Hatch, who lives at the Hotel
Buckingham, Fiftieth Street and
Fifth Avenue, offered Mr.. Whitman
the use Of a much larger amount,
but the special counsel appointed by
District Attorney Swami accepted
only the amount for which the city
had been asked to cover the ex-
penses Of the inquiry.
When he made public the letter from
Mr.. Hatch containing the certified
check for $4,000, Mr.. Whitman said
that he had placed the money In
safe deposit vault and declared that IL
would remain there pending the action
of the Board of Estimate and the
Board Of Aldermen on District Attor-
ney Swann's application for an appro-
priation of $4,000 to carry on the In
vestigation.
Mr.. Whitman made Mr.. Hatch's let
ter public last night at the Criminal
Courts Building and said that it had
been received few hours before st
his law Offices in the Equitable Build
ing.
Investigation Is Going On
When he turned the letter over 10
newspaper men Mr.. Whitman said verJ
emphatically:
"This investigation is going on"
The letter from Mr.. Hatch follows1
"Jan. Fl, 1921.
"Hon. Charles s. Whitman.
"My Dear Governor:
II am prepared to send you chec1
to-day for $4,000, to be used for youf
investigation of the Police Department.
If the Board of Aldermen does not ap.
prove of and the city does not make
the appropriation of $4,000 for tht
purpose. Very truly yours.
EDWARD HATCH JR."
When the matter of the $4,000 ap.
preparation came up before the Board
of Aldermen yesterday it was side:
tracked as result of the protest al
through her lawyer, Louis Kohler. The
board sent the application back to thi
Committee on Finance that it may b
the subject of public hearing to bi
held Monday.
This action was taken at the sugges
ton Of Mayor Hylan, who said that nj
other course was open to the body, in,
esmuch as the District Attorneys of.
fee had failed to have a Representative
present to oppose the opposition raised
by Mrs. Won Claussen.
Appropriation Faces Defeat
Mr.. Kohler attempted to launch inti
detailed explanation Of the alleges
troubles which Mrs. Won Claussen@hH
had with District Attorney Swanns as4
Mr.. Whitman when the latter Wns Con
ernor, but he was cut short 81 B0S
ough President Riegelmann Of Br1ot
lyn, who intimated thst he had heart
enough.
TIE referring Of the resolution ap
propriating $4,000 for Mr.. Whitnafi3
use to the Finance COMMITTEES Of r.,
Board Of Estimate means that it viii
again come before the Board of Essi
mate next Friday. It will need twel
votes to carry it. At City Hall We;
terday it was said that there was SIN:
chance that the necessary votes wou ,
be forthcoming.
The announcement that private capi
tai had been placed at Mr.. Whitman;
disposal appeared to come as sho
to the regular attaches of the Crfmi,
Courts Building, and at City Hall j
was taken to mean that Mr.. Within
means to see his investigation thrcu,j
regardless Of where the necesssr
funds come from.
viii Await City's Action
In formal statement to uewspap1
men, Mr.. Whitman said that
Hatch's check had been given to h
that he might defray his expenses
connection with the investigation
the Police Department il the
failed to make tho desired rrpropn I
tion.
The special counsel said that he b..
accepted the check, but had placed
in a safe deposike vault instead
cashing It. 1t would remain there. si
Whitman said, until he knew debate;
what action the Board Of Estimate q
the Board Of Aldermen might take
connection with District Attofl,
Swann's request for an appropriated.
In addition to his dry goods conn
tions Mr.. Hatch II chairman 81
committee on pollution sewerage
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