The New York herald., 1921-02-04
WHITMAN PLANS
INDICTMENT OF 2
PROMINENT MEN
Both Described as Being FL
nancially and Politically
Important.
OPENS SEWER SCANDAL
Big Brooklyn Job Revealed
When % Checks Are
Unearthed.
LIGHT ON STOLEN CARS
Connivance With Thieves by
Police Seen i'm Failure to Make
Effective Prosecutions.
LIGHT ON STOLEN CARS

Indictment of two men described as
having great influence in New York,
politically and financially" was pre-
dicted last night as a probable new
development in ex-Gov. Whitman's
graft investigation. II an essential
witness for whom subpoena has been
issued can be found in time, Mr.. Whit
man will present part of the evidence
to the Grand Jury to-day.
The new scandal has nothing to do
with the police or other matters here
tofore under scrutiny. 1t relates to
the letting Of sewer contracts In
Brooklyn. 1t was found in the evil
dence gathered by Meier Steinbrink in
his investigation of city contracts as
special counsel to the Board of Esti-
mate and submitted to Mr.. Whitman a
fortnight ago.
All the Steinbrink material was
turned over to one of Mr.. Whitman's
assistants, Arthur NJ. King, former
Assistant United States Attorney. He
has been analyzing and checking II
and following the leads that seemed to
indicate irregularity Of conduct. He
did his work so quietly that few per-
sons in the Criminal Courts Building
knew what he was about.
Yesterday morning he began to act
like q man who had touched a live
wire. He had come into the possession
of twenty-five checks, which seemed
to satisfy him that he had something
of great importance. Not all the
checks are cancelled. Mr.. King I'M
mediately sent them to Marvyn Scud
der. an expert accountant. for inspec
ton. Last night Mr.. King got then
back and locked them in a safe in the
District Attorneys Office. Mr.. King
then took a deep breath and went
home.
Does Not Involve Hylan.
Neither he nor Mr.. Whitman would
say a word about the evidence that had
come into their hands. except for an ad-
mission that il had to do with sewer
contracts in Kings county. MT. Whit'
man said. In answer TO a question and 1T
Justice to Mayor Hylan. who started the
steinbrink inquiry: I'VE have nothing
that in any way reflects on the Mayoi
so far as know"
Otherwise Mr. Whitman merely ao-
mitted that his investigation was work,
ing along zone new line" AS severa
witnesses regarding this new phase viii
have to be heard. and as the Grano
Jury expects to spend part Of Its time
to-day continuing the examination oi
John Armstrong. formerly a detective
sergeant In the police automobile squad
IL In doubtful II the jury reaches the In
dictment stage to-day. The case may
not be complete until the middle OF nex'
week
II was denied In the Criminal Courts
Building that any high officers or the
city were involved in the matter OF inc
sewer contracts.
The Board OF Estimates investigation
of city contracts was sequel TO the sit-
tings OF the Lockwood committee. Some
of its hearings were held In the open
Toward the end Of the inquiry Mr
steinbrink said he had certain facts
which ought to be submitted to the Cor
poration Counsel or Grand Jury. The
Mayor wanted them all aired In the
omen. SO that the public could make VI
its mind about them.
stefnbrink Turns over Evidence.
Mr.. steinbrink contended that there
were some things which should not have
nublicity st this stage. The Mayor ac-
auiescIng. the idea of publicity was
dropped. and later Mr.. Steinbrink TOOK
a satchel full OF papers to MT. whitman,
saying he did not know whether or no,
he had evidence of crime, but ne dld
have material worth further study.
Then came the assignment OF Mr.. kins
10 do the studying. one OF the cases he
has been investigating has TO do with
the street Cleaning Department but ne
has made no report on IT,
Mr.. Whitman did not 30 before th'
Grand Jury yesterday but devoted him
self 70 articulating the evidence In th'
new case and TO an examination OF police
and court records covering the activities
OF the automobile squad. He found. M
said. that while the police were fairl,
alert 10 the iniquity OF chauffeurs WHIT
ran Off with their employers cars foi
Joy rides. they arrested astonishingl,
few professional automobile thieves. III
has not yet analyzed the records OF ar
rests and OF arraignments In the Magis
trates' courts. but the records OF Genera
Sessions. which include all indictments
tell their own story.
In 1920 about 1000 cars were stoleI
in this city, according TO the estimate
Of insurance companies. The offence i
\ 1tA as4fA rlt
squad recovered thousands OF cars an'
got rewards Yet the number OF auto
mobile larceny cases sent 10 the Crane
Jury was only forty-two. according q
the records OF General Sessions Twelv
OF the defendants were sent to prison
penitentlary or reformatory. six were re
leased under suspended sentence. Th'
twenty-four others were either acquitted
or freed by dismissal OF the Indictment
The small number OF automobile thieve
who were put on trial or against whom
evidence was presented TO the Gran'
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