The New York herald., 1921-06-10
CLAMPS Lid
ON CITY GRAFT NEWS
Meyer Committee Counsel
Warns Officials Not to
Obstruct Inquiry.
POLICE BRIBERY HINTED
IN. Y. Herald's' Exposure OF
Alleged Graft in Market
Permits Stirs Pr0bers.
POLICE BRIBERY HINTED

y
The activities Of the joint legislative
committee which is preparing to in
vestigate the manner in which the
present city administration has per-
formed its functions, in order to dag
nose the political and financial all
ments of the city and prescribe reme-
dies. were manifested yesterday by
these happenings:
Elon r. Brown, chief counsel to the
committee. gave out a statement IN
which, while proclaiming that the
object of the committee is not the Inn
parchment or discrediting of this or
any other administration. but con-
structive work in fundamentals that
will improve the finance and govern
ment of the city" he also uttered
very definite warning to all city Of
ficials not TO obstruct the committee
or treat it as an enemy"
Edwin j. O'Malley, Commissioner OF
Public Markets, confronted with the de-
tails exclusively printed In THE New
YORK HERALD yesterday Of the circun-
stances leading up to his action In re-
vo,sing a West washington Market per-
init granted to Adolf Kahn. a wholesale
butcher and a constituent Of Tammany
Leader "The" McManus, admitted that
McManus had gone to O'Malley's office
in Kahn's behalf and said that his
revocation OF the permit was based
upon "rumors" which had reached him
that money had been paid for Influence
exerted by some one Interested In seeing
Kahn get the market stands.
INSPECTOR John d. Coughlin, conn
manding the detective bureau at Police
Headquarters, was summoned before
subcommittee Of the committee and in
structed to bring with him all books. rec
ords. &C.. relating TO promotions and
demotions in the detective force. The
committee IS said to have information 70
the effect that In many instances sub
stantial and even large sums OF money
have been paid out by members "r the
Police Department for assignment to
and promotion In the detective bureau.
An intensive study Is being made by
the committee Of the system" by which
the pushcart peddlers OF the city, some
1000 to 1900 In number, have been
mulcted OF 81 a week each by super
visors" who. until May 20. had no off,
ciaI connection with the Department OF
Markets.
What eventually will develop into a
sweeping investigation Of the Depart
ment Of Education has been begun BY
investigators for the committee. This
inquiry will touch upon every phase OF
the educational system OF the city.
scholastic, physical, administrative, ex-
ecutlve and financial.
In addition 10 the above, IL was
learned that a paddock of the ''uupick
able" variety has supposedly been
clamped upon the lips OF all and sundry
connected with the Joint Legislative
Committee. members. counsel, investi-
gators, door attendants and messengers
Even the publicity man has been warned
not 10 talk to anybody.
Only former Senator Brown Is TO be
heard now. and after his statement OF
yesterday little or nothing may be ex-
pected from him for couple OF weeks.
In the interim II IL presumed the public
will learn nothing about what the com
mttee Is doing.
The excuse advanced for this sudden
burst of secrecy Is said 10 be the pub
lication By the newspapers OF matters
which the committee would prefer to
reveal In It's own good time Such. for
instance. was the publication In THE
NEW York HERALD yesterday or the
story OF the alleged system involved in
the transfer and sale Of permits for
stands in the public markets OF the city.
which are under Commissioner OMal-
ley's Jurisdiction.
Ex-senator Browns double-action
statement. warning the city sdrninis'ra-
ton against obstructive tactics and pro-
claiming the constructive Intentions OF
the committee. said
'T have been able TO attend several
consultations and read the current news.
From this observation 7 have come TO
the conclusion that there are several
things to he avoided
.'FIrst-Tumping al conclusions before
the committee possesses the Information
on which It's own conclusions must rest.
"second--rnferring that the committee
would rather find inefficiency. dishon-
esty and waste in any department or
public official than the reverse
"Thlrd-Treating the committees work
az n hunt for salacious or sensational
bits OF Information.
"Fourth-Treating matters OF an incl
dental nature and OF secondary Inn
portance which accidentally become pub
Tic as representative of the work or
purpose OF the committee.
'rifth--Treatlng the committees work
as the first gun In the Mayoralty cam
palgn.
"rhe object OF the committee Is not
the impeachment or discredlting OF this
or any other sdmnistra ton. but con.
structive work IN fundamentals that
VIII improve the finances and govern
ment OF the city. n anybody IL hurt
u will be because he is athwart the