New-York tribune., 1921-02-01
Sergeant Armstrong Com
naitted to Tonabs for Re-
fusal TO Answer Cues
tions Before Grand Jury
Graft Room Found
AT Headquarters
Evidence Shows Police Re-
ceived Thousands in Re.
covery of Stolen Autos

Detective Sergeant yohn 8. Arnzs
strong, Of the Police Department
automobile squad, was committed to
the Tombs for thirty days and fined
$3.50 yesterday for contempt of court
after he had refused to answer cues
lions put to him by the grand jury
investigating the Hylan admins
tration.
Two other, members Of the auto
mobile squad, Detective Sergeants
William j. Hussey and William T.
Hemmerich, were indicted on charges
of having illegally accepted gratui-
ties for recovering stolen motor cars.
Last Thursday Detective Sergeants
Marty Owens and Thomas Koran,
of the same squad, were indicted on
similar charges.
The attitude assumed by Sergeant
Armstrong was a tremendous sur
prise to those who have followed the
investigation developments and was
responsible for the statement heard
throughout the Criminal Courts
Building that "tEe system, /" notorious
in the day of the Becker -Rosenthal
scandal and of the grating Harlem
inspectors. had been revived.
Parallel to Robinson Case
1t was recalled that direct parallel
to the Armstrong case is found in that
OF Detective Tom Robinson. who ac-
cepted a sentence of six years in Sing
Sing rather than s.peachs on his boss.
"The system" " thought to have died with
the electrecution of Lieutenant Charles
Becker and the conviction of the in
spectors, was uncovered by former
Governor Whitman, then District At
torfey, WHO is now directing the grand
jury Investigation.
II was shown at that time that q
policeman stood in more fear Of @she
system than he did of the law, and
rather than disclose those behind Ashe
system" he would go to Jail.
Another startling development of the
grand jury inquiry yesterday was the
Of what is called by insur-
anee. men "the graft room at Police
To this unmarked room
at 240 Centre Street, the testimony
shows, those willing TO pay rewards.
We're summoned to pay the money.
May Solve Eckert Murder
A heretofore unknown lead also was
disclosed which Mr.. Whitman feels may
prove the solution Of the murder of
Frederick C. Eckert on Staten island
last August. in what was then thought
to have been hootleggers' row. One
of the indictments yesterday was based
on the recovery of a car in q garage
owned by Eckert. 1t is said that garage
at that time housed several other
stolen New York machines.
The investigation spreed yesterday
beyond the Police Department. 1t was
learned that Arthur M. King, Whit
man aid, had formed an alliance with
certain Federal officials to get as
records which have heretofore been un-
is devoting himself almost exclusively
to the investigation of evidence turned
over to the former Governor by Meier
Steinbrink, counsel to the Board OF
Estimates inquiry into city contracts.
The information, it is understood, has
to do with the courthouse contract and
other matters disclosed by the Lock-
wood legislative committee.
Armstrong Arrested Before Jury
Sensational developments began eariy
yesterday in the police scandal. IL
has been known for some days that
several. members of the automobile
squad other than Owens and Hcran,
indicted Thursday, were due for in
dictmans.
At about 1890 a. m. Mr. Whitman
and Assistant District Attorney James
E. Smith went before the grand jury.
the foreman of which is William Slean
Coffin. They took with them as wit-
nesses several Insurance adjustegs and
Armstrong. Standing outside the room
ready TO be called was Detectiya Ser
geant George Scott. said to be rsia-
tive OF Commissioners Enright. He wss
not called. tr'7
Al 1910 Foreman Coffin sent foysr3s-
tective Sergeants SAP Thomag and
"Joe" Russo. attached to Mr.. Whitfnail,s
staff, and ordered the arrest in ssha
grand jury room Of Detective Sergeant
Arm strong, who was then on the stand
Led by Mr.. Whitman and foilowed nv
Armstrong and his guards, members Of
the grand jury filed down two nights Of
stairs into Part CT General Sessions,
where Judge Grain was sitting y oisns
e<Ptfssrrfs e@A ~ VI lalS SuJE ErE3fEQ q
pronounced furry in the, cofr;doTs of
the Criminal Courts Building BYsshe
time the jurors reached the conrfr3 3Srn
procession Of geyera hliAdrse haa
formed In their wake. aa
Court Orders Armstspng Sss Aasvsr
II was Mr., Whitman s fissfl @ogxss ap-
pearance since assuming charge efntks
grand jury inquiry. Hsu atlsassd tadgs
Grain that the witness haH fsdsas Ia 10
answer questions pat ts rim by ths
grand jury, despite the gsss ahAtskafEad
been granted immun 1tyo3 to nolssaa
Judge Grain orflered she. 4qu esssoAa
read in open court fhe diYad 10 do
with the alleged accepts tsnse y5 gfSSt&K-
strong Of various sums Hg fnrhey FOR
The The recovery OF stolen OH u; sga Al
eshe suggestion OF the e5rrt, z3A 5syyar
as copnseI. Aci7niipg sz9
II. 49, s.ss,, Z i. short m ssafss s,s
o. the ccgrts Asarew Aafd faaxs "a
client refused TO snswsr ths Hda scns1