New-York tribune., 1921-05-13
vn,pounds Huge Bundle of
Reports ON Inquiries by
Commissioner; TAX es
Private Correspondence
Office I'm FURRY
During His Visit
Other Material Urged on
Him by Head as Clerks
Seek Documents Called
For Under Subpoena

The Meyer legislative committee
vaich is to investigate the city gov
,rpment made its first onslaught
ssainst the fortifications of the Hylan
administration yesterday, when Sena-
sor Schuyler NJ. Meyer, the chairman,
and Leonard Nj. Wallstein, of counsel
for the committee, visited the Office
II David Hirshiield, Commissioner of
Accounts, and impoundedSa large num-
her Of records and reports of various
Investigations made by the Mayors
commissioner.
Senator Meyer and Mr.. Wallstein de-
elined to discuss the nature of the
nsterial they took away with them, ex-
sspt to say that it was "a large bundle"
and pertained. to certain inquiries con-
Quoted by the Commissioner of Ac-
counts which the committee desired
10 look into Mr.. Wallstein was mill
tsnt Commissioner of Accounts under
Mayor Mitchell and understands the
workings and limitations of that Office.
Some Inquiries Unreported
1t has been the custom of Mayor Hy-
Ian to turn over to Commissioner
Kirsh6eld, his close friend. any COM
plants for investigatlon which he did
not find it expedient to ignore or ex-
plain publicly. The Office has acted
generally in whitewashing capacity
for the Hylan administration. Count
less Investigations have been started
blythe Commissioner, and some OF them
aaishea.
Reports on these inquiries are sup
sesed to be made to the Mayor and the
Board Of Aldermen. On several occa-
s.5ns. however, aldermen have mad to
make demand at the meetings of the
bOsll upon the Commissioner of Ac-
counts for such reports, before they
we're forthcoming. On some occasions
reports have been quietly filed with
certain committees of the Board of AL
dermen and not brought to the atten-
ton Of the full board until the demand
was made.
Dir. .Wallstein and Senator Meyer
took Commissioner Hirshfield COM
petely by surprise, confronting him
an his Office before their names even
had been announced by his subor-
dinates. They had with them subpenas
daees tecum calling for the production
q the. documents and other articles
they sought and waited until they
we're produced for them.
They questioned Commissioner
airshield closely about some of the
documents which appeared to be hard
io lind, and James Mckinley, chief of
the Commissioner of Accounts staff,
was called in TO superintend the hunt
beng made by other employees of the
Office.
Urged to Take Something Else
Commissioner Hirshfield continually
pressed upon his visitors reports and
correspondence other than those they
sought, which seemed to be much
more easily discovered by his clerks
man those for which the subpoenas
called.
The clerks and stenographers who
accompanied Senator Meyer and Mr.
sMallstein carried huge bundles OF
aocuments and personal correspond.
ence and other belongings of Commits
soner Hirshfeld to the automobiles in
which they had come and departed
With them.
MIR. Meyer described his visit to the
once OF the Commissioner of Ac,
counts as an informal call he had paic
IN behalf of the committee to conduct
an examination.
Senator Meyer and Mr.. Wallstein
sald that they had experienced no diff
asulty in obtaining the papers they
were after. The former. Mr.. Wall.
STEIN said, had been appointed com
mittee of one to obtain the papers
when the general committee was or.
sanlzed several days ago.
We had no committee meeting be-
lofe u | went. in company with Mr.
w,iistein. to Mr.. Hirshheld's office
said the Senator "On presentation o.
sae subpoena the papers were handed
20 US and everything passed off pleas
ahs,y enough. There was no trouble
ne announced that the committee in
sehaed to open Offices at 38 Park Row
----------------e