The New York herald., 1921-07-09
SINNOTT ANSWERS
FREELY TO MEYER
Father of Mayors SOn-in-Law
Tells What He Saved as
District Leader.

James p. Sinnott intimate friend of
botii Mayor Hylan and Charles f. Muir
ply, went willingly before the Meyer
Legislative Committee and not only
answered all questions but exhibited his
personal bank accounts showing how
rnuch money he had handled and saved
during his term in office as member of
tho Water Board He is u Brooklyn
district leader and ia ther of Mayor
Hylan's secretary and son-in-law.
John p. O'Brien, Corporation Counsel,
protested that the committee was over
riding the decision of the Appellate d.
vision of the Supreme Court by continue
ing to examine witnesses in private ses-
sion. Senator Meyer and his associates
contended that the court ruling did not
forbid secret sessions with three MEM
bers present, but did prohibit the pun
ishment for contempt of witnesses VINO
refused to answer questions.
1t made no difference to him. Mr..
Sinnott said. whether the public was ad-
mitted or not He would prefer having
the newspaper men present, but that was
denied by Senator Meye~ on the ground
that some important lead might develop
which would expose a whole case be-
fore the committee was ready.
Mr. Sinnott said he was not at all
embarrassed and would be willins to
return any time he was wanted.
Assemblymen Charles ID. Donohue and
Maurice Block, Tammany members of
the committee, protested against the Sc
cret session. but Mr. Sinnott only
laughed at them and said it made no
difference, because it amounted to moth
ing. anyway.
All connected with 1t refused 10 say
what was the nature of the examination.
Since the committee began Its work,
the Corporation Counsel stated In his
letter to Senator Meyer, Mayor Hylan
has been demanding public hearings and
insisted that the proceedings were In
violation of the court order.
Il insist that you and your committee
obey the law laid down by the court.
Mr.. OBrien stated. Il shall insist upon
the presence of three members at every
meeting of subcommittee at which
testimony Is taken and upon your hold
ing these meetings in public, open to the
press and my representatives, and to the
public. ! request that you withdraw the
directions which you gave not TO turnlsh
me a transcript of the testimony of city
officials taken before subcommittee"
In answer Senator Meyer wro:e:
when the city administration hon
estly and in good faith cooperatoS with
the cOm1nlttee, lnSIedu Oh Dy pcltD Hub-
terfuges attempting TO hamper anu delay
It's work. the committee will be glad to
permit your representatives to be present
at the examination of witnesses. At the
proper time the committee Will hold
public sessions, when the public can
Judge for itself whether its work Will
contribute to the welfare of the city"
Mrs. Mary Gordon of 172 Essex street
told counsel for the committee that she
had given $3.50 to Samuel Buchler,
Deputy Commissioner OF Markets to be
used in obtaining the release OF her
brother from Sing Sing prison. Mr.
Buchler. when he heard of this, ex-
planned that he formerly was chap
lain at Sing Sing. He received the
money. he said, to be paid TO an at
torney II he found that lawyers ef-
forts would be OF service to Mrs. Cor
don. Upon the failure of the lawyers
10 do anything for the prisoner Mr..
Buchler insisted uron the return of the
money to Mrs. Gordon and had her re-
ceipt for IT.
Commissioner Buchler was credited
with exposing the record Of Karl Sohr
alleged ex-criminal, who was employed
by the committee as an investigator. and
since that time tho committees agents
have been searching through Mr.
Buchlers public record