New-York tribune., 1921-01-23
Governor and Legislature
Reported Ready to Start
State Probe if Politi-
clans Try to Block Him
Indictment of More
Olice Is Promised
True Bills Against In
spector, 2 Captains and
Detectives Are Forecast

Former Governor Charles S. Whitman
and his assistants continued yesterday
their preparation of cases for the grand
jury investigating the Hylan admins
tration, unheeding the growing politi-
cal row of (which Whitman finds himse If
the center.
1t has been said that, regardless Of
any blocking tactics here, Mr.. Whitman
has been assured that he can have all
the assistance he requests from Gov
ernor Miller and the state legislative
leaders.
Those close to Mr. Whitman are Ger.
tain that if he finds his grand jury in.
vestigation held up by the local author.
tiles or others--either Republican o,
Democrat-he will find ready response
to request for legislative investiga-
tion with himself as chief counsel.
This, Mr.. Whitman's friends point
out, could be accomplished by Governor
Miller sending message to the Legis.
lature requesting the appointment OF
an investigating body. They say they
have reason to believe the Governor
will send such a message should the
occasion arise.
To Ask More Indictments
Mr.. Whitman and his assistants ex-
rect to present evidence to the grand
jury this week which will warrant the
indictment Of one inspector, two cap
tains and several detective sergeants.
In the mean time Arthur NJ. King, Mr.
Whitman's chief assistant in the in.
vestigation, William Chilvers, ex-Mag-
istratc Frederick ]. Groeh1 and Assist
ept District Attorney James K. Smith
went on about their work all day yes.
te1day, despite the fact that the re-
mainder Of the Criminal Courts Build.
irg was deserted at noon.
Mr. Whitman did not appear a. his
oftice, having been confined to his homo
with heavy cold. He did, however
Keep in touch with his assistants by
telephone throughout the day, and as a
result of these conferences several
appear on Monday.
Mr. Chilvers and Mr.. Smith, who
have been conducting the examination
Of witnesses in the automobile graft
cases, said yesterday that they had re-
ceived admissions which prove that a
catalogued series Of police awards had
been adopted by the insurance COM
panies issuing policies against auto
mobile thefts.
1t cost, it is said, $25 for an owner
to recover car worth less than $500:
1t cost $50 to recover car worth uu
to $1,000, and S100 for automobiles
worth more than $1,000.
Ready for Grand Jury Tuesday
1t is believed that this case viii, be
ready for presentation to the grand
jury not later than Tuesday and pos
sibly by Monday. In the mean time
Mr.. Chilvers and Mr.. Smith exhibited
considerable interest in the statement
made by District Attorney Weeks, of
Nassau County, L. l., that he was for
warding to Mr.. Whitman inform alton
showing link between New York auto
thieves and those of Nassau County
District Attorney Weeks obtained the
indictment Friday Of Aubrey Petit
superintendent Of Buildings in Min
cola, and former police chief, on a
charge of illegally buying autos be-
lieved to be stolen. The Nassau
County investigation has been going
on for months.
Mr.. King is still plugging away at
the information resulting from the con-
ference Of last week between Mr.. Whit
man, Mr.. King and Meier Steinbrnk
special counsel to the Board of Esti-
(Ccnf!nuad nm pnun seven,