New-York tribune., 1921-02-18
Fire Clerk Is
Indicted on
BriberyChargge gge
J. J. Kelly, Employee in
Medical Chiefs Office, Is
Accused of Taking $3.50
TO Get Man a Pension
Others Reported Involved
Records Alleged to Have
Been Falsifed; Captain
Bailey's Trial OH Feb. "a

John j. Kelly, fireman assigned as
clerical man in the office of the Fire
Departments chief medical officer, was
arrested at his desk in the Municipal
Building late yesterday afternoon on a
charge of bribery.
Detective Sergeant AL Thomas. Of
former Governor Charles s. Whitman's
staff, made the arrest in Fire Head
quarters, after an indictment against
Kelly had been returned by the January
additional grand jury, which, under
MIR. Whitman's direction, has been con-
ducting an investigation of the Hylan
administration.
The specific charge against Kelly is
that he asked for and received a $3.50
bribe-made in two payments--for
falsifying reports and otherwise using
his influence to obtain the retirement
on full pension of fireman who had
served only one-half OF the time re-
quired by law before such pension is
applicable.
In the original report of the Fire De-
partment Board of Surgeons this fire
man was reported 20 be in poor physi-
cal condition. In the report copied by
Kelly it was stated that the fireman
was totally unfit for any form of duty
IN the department. On the second-or.
as alleged, the forged report-the fire
man was placed on the retired list.
Further Indictments Expected
Kelly's Indictment is the opening
wedge, it was said at the Criminal
Courts Building yesterday, into a situa-
tion in the Fire Department which it
is expected will prove as grave as that
exposed by the Whitman inquiry into
the Police Department, which 10 date
has resulted in the indictment OF two
captains and five first grade detective
sergeants for Illegally accepting gra-
tultles" for the performance of duties
which they are charged by law and
which they are oathbound to perform.
The Fire Department investigation is
not to end with the indictment Of Kelly.
1t was made clear yesterday by the
w Whltman Investigators His Indictment
Is the nrst IN series of other actions
which, according to report, will involve
at least three ranking officials n the
department.
When Mr.. Whitman. accompanied by
Assistant District Attorney James E.
Smith, went before the grand jury they
had as witnesses Dr. Joseph Z. Smith,
the veteran chief medical officer Of the
Fire Department; Lieutenant William
Buckley, the man who guards the en-
trance to the office of Police Commits
sioner Enrlght; Lieutenant George Nc
Donald, guardian Of the entrance to the
office Of Chief Inspector William S
Lahey, of the Police Department. and
Lieutenant John Cruise, confidential
stenographer to Chief Lahey.
Bailey Trial February "a
While the grand jury was in session
notice was sent TO William }. Fallon,
counsel OF Police Captain William Bal
ley, that the District Attorney would
not be ready to proceed with the case
until February "a. 1t also was an
nounced that the application of Louis
FrIdlger, counsel for William Hpssey.
another indicted auto squad detective,
for grand jury minutes inspection,
which had been made TO Judge Null
queen, had been referred to Judge
Grain On agreement of Fridiger and
Assistant District Attorney Smith it
was agreed TO hold the application in
abeyance pending the result Of a sini-
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