New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-01-14
The Nail Prints
aid the Doubling Thomas {:

L
Except l shall see in his hands
the print Of the nails, and put my
finger into the print of the nails,
and put my hand into his side,
will not believe.
What measure of preliminary
evidence is necessary to show to
all the need Of searching inves-
tigation? What will be taken as
print Of the nails?
The case against the Police De-
partment, the barometer which
shows what sort of government the
city has, is established-has al
ready brought the Bailey indict-
mcnt. The resignation of Commits
sioner Bugher, the demotion of
Costigan, the persecution Of Tunney
because not favorite of Enright,
the exposures concerning Angus
tus Drum Porter and Hackett, in
Inmates of Enright--what do these
things mean? Why is New York
safer to-day for cutthroats, bandits
and highwaymen than was the from
tier for Jesse James?
The Police Department is but
typical of the Hylan regime. From
the departments Of Docks, Of Pub
lie Markets, of Health has come a
steady flow of scandal. A friendly
towing company, after the city pays
for garbage collection, receives the
profit there is in $500 for each tow
to sea, whereas under the Mitchell
plan the city would to-day be get
ting a revenue "Death' Avenue
continues to exact its toll. Having
defeated one solution, the city adj
ministration protects selfish inter
ests by proposing no substitute.
The Lockwood committee was in
session but day when it discov-
cred Hettrck and how the Mayor
signed letters Hettrick wrote. All
city contracts are under just sus-
picion. The administration rela-
tions to Brindell and the crew with
which he operated are notorious.
Taxpayers now are paying $50 q
cubic yard to excavate the Court
House site. So it is through prac-
tically every bureau and agency Of
the Hylan government. The prints
in the hands of the crucifed city
are many.
There is another phase. Beside
l,oking for corruption and gross
inefficiency a legislative committee
would consider charter changes
and possible reductions i'll the cost
Of government. This affirmative
legislation is enough to Justify a
committee though there was moth
ing else.
In three years the Hylan admin
istratlon has spent nearly $780,
100000 more than the last three
years Of the Mitchell administra-
ton. Can't something be done to
eliminate duplicate services? Can't
departments be consolidated? Are
the present safeguards against col
lusive bidding by contractors ade-
quate? There is no hope except
through legislative committee.
Leonard M. Wallstein we'll said in
recent address:
''ln my opinion the best means of
relief lies in a thorough and early
investigation by legislative COM
mittee, or commission, of the whole
structure of the city government
The correct answer cannot
be obtained excep~by body clothed
: with adequate powers to compel the
attendance of witnesses and to adj
minister oaths"
Doubling Thomases have before
, them enough to remove all posi-
, bic skepticlsm~-more, much more,
, than was known before the Lexow
, conn ttee was named. This is
, known to New York And hence it
!; is asked what mysterious influences
, are at WORK to assist the Mayor in
his frantic efforts to avoid an in
vestigation. 1t surely cannot be
r that there has been built up in the
, Republican organization a pro
Tammany annex or that bi-parti.
| sanship controls the present Repub-
, ican Legislature.
A Naval LoE~Iox