The New York herald., 1921-02-24
HYLAN IGNORED AIDS
IN HIRING JOHNSON
Reversed Himself in Acting
without Word to Board
of Estimate.
ONLY S18,5O0 FOR FEE
That's All There Is Available,
Unless Special Bonds Are
Provided.


l.. Craig by the Mayor and F. II. La
Guardia, President of the Board Of
Aldermen, tor his approval of the
1900, 600 War Finance Corporation
loan to the Brooklyn Rapid Transit
Company without consulting the rest Of
The city Administration. Inquiry yester-
day developed the fact the Mayor COM
pletely reversed himself by making the
selection and appointment Of Senator
Johnson without conference with the
learned, not a single member OF the
board was so much as apprised of the
Mayors intention, although, It was pre-
sumed. the Mayor expects to pay the
Senator out of city funds, either already
appropriated or to be appropriated by
the Board of Estimate
Mr.. O'Brien said mo decision had been
reached regarding what Senator John
sons compensation would be. Apparent
ly. however. 1t will be no staggering sum
unless the Board of Estimate can be
persuaded to make an appropriation of
special revenue bonds to cover the bill.
What the reaction of the board to such
request would be is problematical
S1S,5OO Available for Fee.
Unless special revenue bonds are pro-
vided, it appears the Senator will have
to be paid from the services of special
COMMENCEMENT division of the Cor
poration Counsel's fees and commits
sions fund. The total fund is $147,50O,
but the division from which it was
stated pay for Senator Johnson's SER
vices would have TO come amounts only
to S1S,500. What reductions may have
been made already in that sum could
not be learned yesterday.
After Senator johnson had conferred
with the Mayor and had his picture
taken with him on the steps Of City Hall.
he went into consultation with Edgar
j. Kohler, Assistant Corporation Coun-
sci. The Senator and Mr.. Kohler were
closeted all afternoon and Senator
Johnson announced he intended to work
late last night on the legal aspects of
the case.
II do not know that can add any
thing new to what I have already
said" Senator Johnson declared last
night.
1T is a matter of hard work for the
present. There are so many angles to
the situation. shall have to work day
and night. I am more convinced than
did not need to-day's study TO con-
vince ME of that"
Senator johnson said he and those
with whom he has advised have a def
rite plan of action, but that it would
not be wise to reveal its nature now.
He digressed long enough to reassure
the public that it is the "old. old fight
OF corporate interests against the peo-
pie" and to fire a broadsde at New
H. LII sfeIxs
sront sheets"
Having been heralded as a transit ex-
pert through his connection with estab-
ishment OF municipal lines in San Fran
cisco, Senator Johnson was asked what
his connection with that undertaking
was. He went into no further detail
chan to say:
I'm brief. was Governor of Cali
fornia at that time. The plan for mu-
nicipal lines was that of Mayor Rolph
of San Francisco. l went to San Fran
cisco and helped There were several
Iublic meetings at which l made adj
dresses, and endeavored to aid"
Public May Hear Him.
He was asked whether he intended to
do any public speaking here on the
transit question. He replied his plans
at present did not contemplate such
course, but that he was subject to the
orders of the Corporation Counsel, so IL
was possible public speeches might not
be precluded for the future.
The New York transit question whicn
until the advent of Senator Johnson
Mayor Hylan's cohorts had insisted was
purely q local concern, was described
yesterday by Mr.. OBrien as a national
issue.
From what have observed and
heard since Senator johnson arrived
said the Corporation Counsel "it is
clear his entrance already has had
far reaching effect. The people are con-
cerned not only because of the large
amount of money of the city involved.
but because basic principles affecting
every municipality are involved. The
people are becoming aroused every
where.
"The only adverse criticism on Sem
ator Johnson have heard has been Of
such flippant character as TO deserve
no consideration whatever That goes
for Gov. Miller and Chairman Glynn,
too. The situation is above petty minds
and petty ideas.
"If the Governors plans go through,
the-which commandment is Il about
stealing?-well. anyway, the command
ment that says Thou shalt not steal
will become dead letter so far as the
Legislature is concerned"