The New York herald., 1921-06-03
FIVE CITY BUREAUS
DRAWN into FIRE
OF MEYER inquiry
Gov. Miller to Push Probe to
Halt Startling Rises in
Taxation in City.
ALMIRALL BOOK AIDS
OvershadOwing Crime III
yestigator Holds Confer
ence With Inquisitors.
THE M'MANUS IS SILENT
Justice Whitaker Reserves De-
cision on Furnishing Leach
for Contempt.
'THE' M'MANUS IS SILENT

Five city departments at least are
under fire already in the investigation
of municipal affairs just being started
by the Joint Legislative Committee.
The Police Department, Department
of Markets, Department of Plant and
Office In Queens, and one or two others
are being turned upside down as the
newly organized staff of experts and
accountants begin their hunt for graft.
waste and mismanagement.
Former Senator Elon r. Brown, chief
counsel for the committee. took charge
OF the inquiry in person yesterday
when he held an all day conference
with Senator Schuyler Meyer. chair
man OF the committee; several other
members, Leonard Wallstein and SAM
uel Berger. associate counsel.
Raymond f. Almirall. who as fore
man of a Grand Jury did some in
vestigating of municipal affairs and
whose little "black book" of secret
data may be of help to the State in
vestigators. spent part of the after
noon with the counsel. 1t was under
stood that Mr.. Almirall was prepared
to assist the committee by revealing
any information he could which was
not used by the Grand Jury.
Just what branches OF police activity
have been placed under scrutiny first Is
not announced. The Investigators are
said to be giving much attention to re-
instatements In the department. This
is one OF the oldest forms of political
favoritism known.
Senator Meyer said he was Interested
in learning whether there was truth In
report that a prominent police official
had received an extended leave of abb
sence. He would not name the ofhcial.
Miller and Meyer Confer.
Gov. Miller sent for Senator Meyer
and went over the organization and de-
velopment of the committee and the evil
dence SO far gathered. The Governor Is
deeply interested in the investigation
He will follow it closely through its
many stages.
The Governor is partly responsible for
the action of the Legislature in Great
ing the Joint committee 10 find out what
il tho trouble with the New York gov
ernment tina. its expenses and tax bills
keep soaring skywards year after year
until a limit OF endurance has boon
reached.
Having given the inquiry his approval.
the Governor now proposes 70 see II
through, and there is no doubt he viii
see to It that a thorough Job Is done. He
believes that the municipal government
can be revamped to save millions TO the
taxpayers and stop the upward trend OF
taxes. Mr. Miller is believed to be more
interested in that phase OF the 'nvcstiga-
tion than In the graft hunt.
The sub-committees with Mr.. Wall
stein and Mr. Berger in charge examined
many witnesses Some were questioned
in regard to the Creek street case In
Queens. which has been aired In the
courts. A dismissed employee charges
that the borough administration gave
away street site 70 corporation.
Borough President Connolly was served
WIN an Oruer 10 pTOuuCt l"c paPc'S III
this case. He volunteered 10 appear in
person but suggested the hearing be
open 10 the public.
AsseIf1blyman Maurice Block. Tam
many member. protested yesterday
gainst having secret meetings pre-
liminary 70 the public hearings, to begin
in City Hall late this month.
wbaIen's Acts Under Scrutiny.
The committees investigators are fol-
lowing numerous leads obtained already
In connection with transactions In the
Department OF Markets and the Depart
ment OF Plant and Structures. Grover
whalen Is Commissioner OF the latter
important department and is one OF
Mayor Hylan's personal advisers. IL is
regarded as foregone conclusion that
the committee. will inquire into most OF
Commissioner whalca's official acts.
just how privileges and licenses were
handled In the Department OF Markets
is subject on which the committee's
experts are seeking light. There seems
to have been a certain process or system /
to which the applicant had TO submit IN |
order TO get the right TO sell food In the
public markets
No word was received yesterday from I
Thomas J. ("The') McAtanus. Tamm any |
politician and West Side district leader. |
whom the committee thought might
give some help in showing what was
done in connection with the market priv
c.....t uoor