New-York tribune., 1921-08-24
Tried for Weeks to Get
Permits of O'NTalIev
Before Paying $3.50
Each, Say Witnesses
Enragged Partisans
Jeer at Hearing
Increase in Upkeep of
Docks and Markets Is
Admitted by Hylan

Testimony duplicating an official
Of the city administration in graft
was offered yesterday to the Meyer
legislative committee investigating
the Hylan regime.
Two reputable merchants testified
to having paid bribes of $3.50 each
to obtain permits for stands in
Washington Market, while another
told of an alleged attempt to hold
him up for $1,000 for similar
purpose.
Merchant Makes Bribe Charge
Christian Haslob, a hptcher, living
at Grantwood, N. j., said he gave to
Charles A. Winters, general inspec-
tor for the Department of Markets,
$3.50 on May II, 1920, while the two
took short ride on a Ninth Avenue
"I," car to the Battery. He said he
had been trying vainly for weeks to
obtain the permit from Commits
sioner Edwin ]. O'Malley, who has
the sole right to issue same, but that
he got it few hours after passing
the money over.
Stephen Woolsey, a butter and egg
merchant, of 2S0 East Sixteenth
Street, Flatbush who also had stand
in Washington Market. told how after
six months of persistent effort to
transfer his stall to another dealer
he was finally forced to give up S45o
to stranger on Il corner" whom he
had never seen before or since, whose
name he did not know and whom he
could only describe az being Of me
dium height. medium build and smooth
face
Woolsey said that all his previous
negotiations in connection with the
matter had been carried on directly
with Commissioner of Markets O'Msl-
ley. While Commissioner O'Malley
repeatedly had refused to give him
the license to transfer his stall, Wool
sey said he got telephone message
to call for his permit two days after
stranger on the corner"
Tells of Demand for Bonus
Joseph Heineman, a meat and pro-
vision dealer living at 822 Manida
Street, the Bronx, related how, when
ne had applied to Commissioner O'Mal-
Icy on February 8, 1920 for q stand
permit in Washington Market, he was
referred by the Commissioner to Cen
eral Inspector Winters. The latter
Eeineman testified, demanded $1,000
Tor license, saying "it was CUSTOMARY
1T order TO acquire q permit in the
market to pay something in addition
Heineman referred to Winters as in
sistilig you will have to get the money
somehow or other. because she' won't
accept anything less" and Winters
added emphatcally that at was abso-
lutely useless for you 10 call any Of
those cheap politicians in to plead for
you"
At another meeting Heineman tes-
tliied Winters again asked for money.
adding that che might accent $780,
lnters, according to the witness. re-
fused to explain who he meant by he
saying no names are being men
toned" Heineman finally got his per-
mt through the intercession of friends.
Commissioner O'Nalley announced
%,ot hiSHO tnaC ne rad suspended
Winters and would have him tried on
charges. II found guilty. the Commits
sloner said he would dismiss the in
spector.
committee To Guard Witnessed
When Elon R. Brown, chief counsel
to the committee, heard that Comnis-
s1oner O'Maliey had revoked the mar
kct stall licenses of the witnesses who
cfC
motive Of Commissioner OMalley's
interview is evidently to terrify into
silence other sufferers from his NAL
administration" He added that every
effort would be made by the commit
tees legal staff to protect these citi
zens from loss, and that the latter
had already suffered too much from
official extortion."
The hearing chamber in City Hal
was thrown into wild disorder Just 81
the conclusion Of the session when
Commissioner O'Malley, who sat on,y
chairs distance from the witnesses
during the entire taking of the test
mony, demanded TO be heard in reply.
de had been grilled By the committee
counsel only short tine before on the
conduct of his departments and was
told tlat he would be recalled later.
hen Senator Schuyler N. Meyer,
chairman Of the committee. was about
to order an Adjournment at ! o'clock.
O'Malley rose and, humping on a
desk before him, demanded that he be
heard right Off the bat" as he ex-.
pressed it, His request was seconded
by Senator Downing, a Democratic
member Of the committee, whereupon
there was loud applause from the gal
lery which p moment later changed 10
lusty cheering.
Crowds Rush From Gallery
When the committee chies counsel,
Elon Z. Brown, replied that an oppcr-
tunity would be given 20 the Commits
sioner 10 be heard when some other
witnesses had been examined to-day.
Senator Downing proposed vote on
the question Of hearing the Commits
sioncr Chairmen Meyer called his mo
ton out Of order and ordered an ad-
journment at once
The room was Immediately thrown
into confusion. with the gallery crowds
rushing down on to the aoor with erie,
here and there that O'Malley should be