New-York tribune., 1921-01-31
Overwhelming Sentiment
for Investigation Said
to Have Been Created
by New-FOund Evidence
Two State Probes
Now Seem Certain
Opposition Swept Aside
as Leaders at Albany
Obtain Facts First Hand
From a star Correspoxdex.

From StdH Correspondent
ALBANY, Jan. S0.-The opposi-
tion to legislative investigation of
the charges of graft and corruption
lodged against the Hylan admins
tration virtually has been over
whelmed by the mass Of evidence
laid before the legislative leaders in
the last two weeks, and it is believed
to be only a question Of a few days
before the committee Of legislators is
appointed.
Senator Clayton r. Lusk and
Speaker H. Edmund Machold,' in
particular, have recently received
convincing evidence of grave irregu-
larities throughout the administra-
tion Of New York City affairs as
conducted by the Hylan-H Hearst
Tammany combination. This has
served to stimulate a demand among
the lawmakers which had already
acquired formidable momentum.
Ever since the introduction Of the
resolution creating a joint legislative
committee to investigate the admin
istration by Senator Theodore Doug
las Robinson and Assemblyman
Joseph Steinberg the legislative
leaders have been overwhelmed with
demands from private citizens and
civic bodies for thorough inquiry.
No Choice for Legislature
Those who have been fighting the
underground opponents of the investi-
cation have met their appeal Of "don't
investigate, lest it hurt the political
situation in New York City," with
sketch Of the conditions obtaining In
the Hylan administration, which caused
one Of the legislative leaders to OBJ
serve:
If one-tenth Of it is true, the Leris-
lature has no choice but to create q
committee to investigate the charges"
The facts laid before the legislative
leaders concern several city depart
ments, especially the Police Depart
ment. Of which several members have
been indicated on evidence and leads
furnished by The Tribune after the
matter had been presented to the grand
jury by Ex-Governor Charles S. Whit
man.
The legislative leaders were con-
vinced by the extent and seriousness
of the charges that it would be utter
ly impossible for any grand jury,
limited in its jurisdiction by the bor-
ders of the county in which it sits, to
make an adequate investigation. A
legislative Investigating committee,
with power to sit in any part of the
state, and with all the power of the,
Legislature delegated to it. could over
come this difficulty.
The mass Of material submitted to
the leaders here contains evidence
which has only been limited at, and then
In the vaguest sort of way, in the
newspapers.
Involved in the charges laid before
the Legislative leaders are city officials
and men who are high in the councils
OF Tammany Hall.
Convinced by Graft Charges
Equally convincing were the reporte
OF members of the Lockwood commit
tee concerning graft charges whicl.
that committee could not investigate
because.of its limited powers. And the
story told by these legislators concern
ing the manner in which 1000 900 in
graft was to be divided among a select
. rev VINO were interested in the cut
stone contracts on the courthouse site
removed any doubt as to the need of 4
sweeping investigation.
The need of an Investigation wse
formally recognized by Governor Miller
~ MS first message to the Legislatures
The Governor asked for the extension
OF his powers under the Morland act
so that he could appoint a COMMITTEES
to investigate New York City depart
ments.
The Governors commission. when an
pointed for this purpose, will in III
PROBABILITY confine itself to inouirins,
INTO the methods of administration. -
tnat structural defects, when found
ment. M -
Wnen many assumed that the Gov
efnor intended to do the investigat;n. !.
OF the charges of graft and corrun.
tion and that this would put an end fo
legislative investigation he LET Il -
known that it was his belief that hots
investigations might we'll run at ~.
same time without any clash.
Actlon on the proposal of Senatn-
noDinson and Assemblyman Steinberr
Ior the Investigation may be expecfeS
toward the end of next week.
l. -----~-