The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1921-01-22
UNDS
BER'YHITMAN
PROBE Of POLICE
"Swat the Fly" Hatch Tenders
Cheek for $4,000
TO BE USED FOR EXPENSES
Other New New York Citizens Ready
TO Contribute II City Falls to
Appropriate.

Edward Hatch, Jr, who is well
known to a number OF Bennington
people and whose father was the
president of Lord & Taylor, and who
originated the Swat the fly" move
ment and as chairman of a committee
Of the Merchants Association has for
years fought the pollution of New York
harbor and the Hudson River, handed
Charles $. Whitman yesterday certi-
fled check for $4,000, at New York,
1t is to be used in meeting the CO.
of Mr.. Wh.tman's Grand Jury inve-ti.
cation Of the Police Department in
case the city administration refuses to
provide the money Mr. Whitman did
not casn the check, but slipped It into
a safe deposit box to awaist develop
ments in the Board Of Estimate and
the Board OF Aldermen.
He refused to discuss a rumor that
he ha, refused other offers OF financ al
assistance, but ii is fact that il the
Iammany majority at City Hall re-
fuse to finance the inquiry several
private citizens in addition to MIR.
hatcn are ready to pace any needful
sum at the disposal of the former
Governor.
District Attorney Swann's request
for an appropriation Of $4,000 in
SPECIAL revenue bonds came up in a
meeting OF the Board of Estimate yes
telday and was referred to the fin.
ance committee. This is the normal
procedure, 10 which no objection was
made. The finance committee VIII
meet Monday. 1t is now regai ded as
kelly that both the Board OF Estimate
and the board of Aldermen by whom
+any bond issue must be authorized
viii comply with the request fhe
political capital that the opposition
could maze out OF an attempt 10 block
an nte tgation which more or less
concerns fammany IS regarded as OBJ
g,ous. AND now, with the $4,000
check in hs pos .ession, Mr.. Whitman
mas something with when t1 shame
Iammany into acton II nothing else
would
ar Whitman was in high feather
over something when he reappe4red at
the Criminal Courts Building late yes
terday afternoon after several hours
absence The reason was apparent
when he produced this letter;
January p, 1921.
Hon. Charles S. VIII tman
"My dear Governor am prepared
70 send you a check today for $4,000
to be u ed for your investigation Of the
Police Department II the Board OF Al
dermen do not approve OF and the
city does not make the appropriation
Of $4,000 for the purpose.
Very truly yours.
Edward Hatch, Jr.
Hotel Buckingham"
after writing this" Mr. Whitman
said, MT Hatch came unsolicited to
my office this afternoon and handed
me his personal check. There is no
thing in the law, | believe, to prevent
private citizen from paying the nee
essary and Incidental expenses Of an
investigation, but OF course | could
not use It to pay my own salary
"Sp end!d" Mr.. Swami sad and
very characteristic Of Ed Hatch Mr.
Hatch is brave men, Only few peo
pie appreciate the personal danger he
has undergone in his efforts to stop
the pollution OF the waters of New
York State by sewage and the waste
/ from great pulp mills He has shown
! himself to be a brave and fearless
fellow ami ha stood by the public He
is public spirited, as his father was
before him.
| Mr.. Swami sa d he hoped and belley
+ ed the desired appropriation wou d be
made by the Aldermen.