The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-04-05
DOUBLE INQUIRY
OF HYLAN REGIME
TO Be UNDERTAKEN
Legislature to Attempt to
Uncover Grafting-Char-
ter Revision Before a
Second Committee.
BILLS IN PREPARATION
Five Senators and Six AS
semblymen With 100000
Appropriation Likely
in Crime Probe.
MILLER FAvORs ACTION
Will Name Ii Investigators of
Financial Operations to
Recommend New Mu-
nicipal Structure.
MILLER FAvORs ACTION
Special Despatch to THE NEW York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
ALBANY, April 4,

Special Despatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Albany, April 4.
Legislative leaders said tonight,
after an informal conference, that in
all likelihood there will be two sep
arate and distinct Investigations into
the municipal government Of New
York city under the Hylan admins
tration, and bills embodying that idea
are being prepared for introduction in
the Assembly and Senate within the
next few days. One inquiry will cover
all charges Of grating and irregulari-
ties. and will so deeply into such mat
ters as the contracts for the new court
house, the administration Of the Po-
lice Department, higher pier leases
and other municipal activities Of
which there have been reports Of pos
sible wrongdoing.
Hints that there has been and is
grating in all of these lines have de-
veloped freely at the Lockwood Com
mittee hearings and in the inquiry
which Is being conducted by Charles
s. Whitman. The plans of the Legis-
1ative leaders now are to make the
committee which is to investigate
these matters consist of five Senators
pr.ation of 100000. The bills pro-
posed will authorize it to so as far
as it likes in its efforts to unearth
grating and irregularities.
Charter Inquiry Also.
The second committee to be formed
under the proposed bills will study the
charter and financial affairs and at
tempt t. evolve a better system of gov
crlment for the metropolis. 1t lis likely
that although the matter of crime and
the duties of this second committee will
be entirely separate they will exchange
evidence should any develop at the hear
ings of either that might interest the
other The second committee will be
named by the Governor and will consist
OF fifteen men, representing the State,
sTi- city and the public. 1t win have an
aprrr ration of $4,000.
Governor Miller came out emphatic
aliy t,-day in favor of the proposed
int esti CATION OF the New York city gov
eminent. While he did not say definitely
ar such an inquiry should go or
wlat 1e expected ii might uncover, he
iidicated strongly that it should be
bfosd and sweeping.
Ar. you now III favor OF an investi-
Eataa OF New York; the Governor. was
asked He answered:
y hink that an investigation OF the
sfraeture and financial condition of the
elty II New York---the government
yi.r view OF some constructive work
81 ne revision OF the charter, would
~ highly desirable thing. Some
ttinGa have been brought to my atten-
~,an rhich lead me TO think that an in
vestigation on possibly broader lines
than that might be productive OF good"
Does that infer any irreguiarity that
would mean a violation OF penal stat
utes7"
81 would not want to comment or
that"
No Attempt at Dictstien.
The Governor has not attempted to
dictate to the Legislature what form
such an investigation should take. The
leaders OF both the Legislature and OF
the Republican State organization said
this evening before their informal con-
ference that no decision had been
reached. IL any inquiry is started. they
said. II may be directed mainly TO char
ter revision.
II have not felt like urging that the
power of investigation be conferred
ltrr thA Cxxs
Miller commented when asked whether
he would insist upon having the pow
ers OF the Moreland act extended to
give him authority to proceed on his
own initiative.
The investigation might not be di-
rected against any particular official"
the Governor said. THAT ] do not
know. Rather Il might be against con-
dtions that exist. That is the primary
thing on which / think there can be
no doubt"
But II there are charges against
officials OF New York. would these be
pressed at the proposed Investigation?
THAT Is a matter I would not care
10 comment upon: II would be for those
having the matter in hand TO decide"
Asked what were the irregularities
which he had said had been called to
his attention. the Governor said he did
not care to comment upon that Just at
present. Nor would he say who had pre-
sented the charges.
~ do say that the thing about which
there can be no doubt Is the desirability
OF searching investigation and study
OF the structure OF the financial affairs
Of the city government and its opera
tions. with a view to making needed
changes"
One thing which has been urged, the
Governor said, Is TO have the date for
tax collection in New York put forward
so that money can be collected before
n Il spent. The Governor said he
thought that was very good idea.
THE beat whiting papers