The New York herald., 1921-06-15
MEYER COMPLAINS OF
1OAF|NC' OFFICIAL
Chairman of Legislative
Committee Writes to Cor
poration Counsel O'Brien.
ATTACKS LATTER'S AID
Curley Defies Investigator
and Remains Around
Hearing Room.
TAXI LICENSES PROBED
Inquiry Also Is Directed Into
Home Service Bureau of PO-
lice Department.

The joint legislative committee which
is investigating the city administra-
tion in hunt for graft or waste of
public funds carried on double headed
conflict yesterday with the Tammany
minority members and the Corporation
Counsel while at the same time di-
recting the inquiry along new lines in
connection with the Home Service
Bureau of the Police Department and
the system Of issuing taXicab licenses.
Over the protest of the Democratic
members, who now have declared open
warfare on the committee, and in spite
of the efforts of the city's legal ad-
visers to block the inquiry. the COM
mittee spent hours turning over the
accounts of the Home Service Bureau
which has handled millions in the pur-
chase and sale Of supplies. The re-
port shows that the receipts from
stores where necessities like shoes.
clothing and groceries are sold TO po-
licemen at less than wholesale prices
amounted to $602,451 in 1920. The bu-
reau paid out s5T6,3S3 for merchandise.
Michael F. Walsh, head of the bureau
was examined regarding the accounts.
James f. Geraghty. Deputy Commits
sioncr in the Department of Licenses. and
other members of that bureau have been
asked to explain what the city has done
to keep tabs on holders of taxicab Ii
censes. The department gives out nearly
$4,000 permits to operators OF cabs.
Complaints which are to be investigated
charge that in hundreds of instances
bogus drivers hold permits which enable
them to participate in all kinds of GRIM
inal projects.
Use of Taxis for Crime.
Accounts of robberies, burglaries.
hoTdups and all sorts of similar activities
usually recite that the operators made
their escape in taxicab. The use or
the taxicab in snaring victim is well
known to the police. What the State
investigators want to know Is whether
any attempt Is made to keep track or
the licenses, as the law requires. ana
whether the underworld is able to oper-
ate more easily because OF a detective
system OF controlling licenses or a lax
method OF enIOICiI5 llt ~ Quinn t'eAN
does exist.
The development of the investigation
into these new fields was behind closed
doors. but the clashes between the COM
1nittee and it's opponents were aired
thoroughly in public. Since the inquiry
started the Corporation Counsel has
been advising city officials not to go
before subcommlttees and In this has
been sustained by the courts. The row
broke wide open yesterday.
Senator Meyer, chairman of the COM
rnittee. wrote to Corporation Counsel
O'Rrien saying that Thomas +. Curley.
Assistant Corporation Counsel was loaf
ing around the committees headquarters
end insisting that he get out. What ap-
r,eared to annoy Meyer in particular was
that he said Curley was giving out news
regarding the witnesses called. concern
ing which the committee members. its
counsel and publicity directors nave
maintained strict silence.
For the last few days one OF your
assistants has been loafing around the
committee rooms apparently in an effort
70 find out what witnesses the commit
tee ia calling and commenting on their
identity and business to the newspapers.
fhe Senator stated in his letter to Mr..
O'Brlen. "The committee has felt that IL
In undesirable to have such statements
published which might lead to unjustified
conclusions and which might injure some
one wrongfully.
"rbis conduct of your assistant is OF
no assistance to the committee in lts
work and I trust you will instruct him
10 discontinue it. as undoubtedly there Is
plenty of work in your office for nm to
do. The committee rooms are open az
all times to your assistants when presen'
on official business
The assistant was not mentioned py
name. But Mr.. Curley was still loai-
ing and comforting with city offlclais
called before the committee on subpoena
when word reached him from his office
that he had been told 10 get out. ne
demanded to see Senator Meyer.
'sWhat are you going to do; put ms
out2' Curley asked the Senator. Tn'
latter told Curley he had better get out
"Are you going TO send three or foui
men 10 put me out? II SO. I'll go. but i
YOU send only one I'll give him a oaui'
before 7 60" Curley answered. Meyer
vent 10 his office and nothing was done
The Corporation Counsel had not an
swered when the offices closed.
Not United ON Action.
II was understood the Republican
members were not unit in taking thi
action. One or two were said TO hav'
advised against II. Mr.. Curley wal
formerly an Assemblyman and was
candidate for District Attorney In Ricn
mond
II am a lawyer. not a messenger boy
and am not loafer," Curley told th'
committee. "I am here under orders.
on top OF this row, Assemhlymai
Maurice Block. Democratic member o
tho committee. arrived and starte'
trouble by insisting that the Republi
cans were barring Tammany men fron
Tho hearings Blocl, insisted upon SCENT
Never TO file a protest.
"These secret sessions which are sup
posed TO be held by one or two nom
bers are In fact being held by Leonar'
wallstein and Samuel Berger. assistan
counsel. in their offices without
single member of the committee bein
present" Mr.. Block said THE Demo
cratic members are not even told whe
the subcommittee meetings are TO b
held. and we have no voice in them
I am a member OF q committee an
have not been notified Of its meetings
This charge was denied by the Repub
Iican members. who said the Tammsn
members had not turned 2 hand q ne
sist In even tho con tructive side G
tho Investigation the purpose OF whie
is to find what charter inlp 'ovcren'
can be made 10 impro @ the munlc 'pa
government pud save money.