The New York herald., 1921-06-04

accounts Of number of his commits
sioners." Senator Meyer said
Coincident with these activities Sena-
tor Meyer, acting with the authoriza-
tion of the committee. requested Police
Commissioner Enright TO assign Capt.
Daniel Y. Costigan. known as Honest
Dan" to the State investigation for an
indefinite period.
Commissioners Enright is away on
vacation, but Acting Commissioner
Leach telephoned the committee soon
after the letter was received at Police
Headquarters protesting against the re-
quest and asking if the services of
police lieutenant would not be suffi-
c5ent Senator Meyer answered mo"
and repeated the urgent request that
costigan be assigned. Mr.. Leach said
the request would be referred to Com
missioner Enright when he returns
Monday
Costigan's Aid Needed.
IT need not point out that this is a
matter OF great urgency and that the
committee, while reluctant to interfere
with the routine of your department,
feels that Capt. Costigans assistance In
It's efforts will be to the best interest
of the city" Senator Meyer wrote. The
Senator explained that under the terms
cation the Legislatures committee was
empowered TO ask the city employees
and officials for cooperation.
The Costigan case is TO be a show.
down TO determine exactly where the
city administration stands. The Mayors
assistants are doing all they can to
place barriers in the way of the probers
who are trying to learn whether there
is graft behind the waste and misman-
sgement in municipal affairs which is
plrnging the city along towara finan-
cial ruin.
The committee is going to fight 1t
out at the start. The Mayor ana his
associates have been insisting they well
coined searching investigation of their
management of New York's affairs.
Before the States representatives oe-
gin their formal hearings in City Hall
toward the end of this month they
will know whether the Mayor is going
TO cooperate or try to conceal the
blunders believed TO have been made
during his term.
May Take Drastic Action.
In the event that Enright refuses to
loan Costigan's services. the police
captain who knows the ins and outs of
the Police Department down to the
last curve will be subpoenaed and his
services held for some time in that way.
Costigan has information regarding
police affairs which cannot be founo
in the written records. He has been
10 disfavor under the Enright adrln-
istration. Formerly an inspector IN
charge of the vice squad. he learned
all about the political operations and
alleged graft in the department He
was denoted by Enright and sent to
remote station in Brooklyn twenty miles
from his Bronx home. But he did not
quit. The Commissioner treatment of
Costigan caused a sensation in the de-
partment.
The request for Oostigan's services IS
further evidence that the committee Is
going to the bottom of stories regarding
police graft. One set of investigators
is devot,ng it's time almost entirely to
this department.
Grant Crabtree, chief clerk In the
Police Department. was a witness under
subpoena yesterday before a subcom-
mfttee of the investigators. Protest was
made against his appearance.
The Hylan Administration has tried
to block the committee at every point.
First. Deputy Police Commissioner
Leach refused to appear as witness
before subcommittee and the States
request that he be punished for con-
tempt is now before Justice Whitaker.
Hirshfeld refused a request from the
committee for loan Of the services OF an
accountant The Corporation Counsel
J as filed protest against the committee
getting possession OF official papers. IL
the administration maintains this atti-
tude toward the request for Costigan's
services ii is expected the committee
will exercise its authority to make the
city officials toe the mark.