New-York tribune., 1921-01-14
Declares His Proposed
Probe Will Not Conflict
in Any Way With That
Urged by Legislators
Bill to Abolish
Rule 1874 Drawn
Albany Views Hylan Offer
of Police to Aid Whit
man as Smoke Screen
From q Stnn Corresnondent

ALBANY, N. Y, Jan. Ex-Governor
Miller to-day disabused the minds of
the members Of the Legislature and
others of the idea that his request for
power to investigate the New York City
departments meant that he was in any
way opposed to a legislative investiga-
tion Of the Hylan administration. This
and impending legislation to nullify
Rule 1874 of the Police Department Of
New York City were the chief devel-
opments in the situation here to-day.
The Governor said that if there were
two Investigations Of New York City,
one conducted by the Legislature and
the other operating under his direction,
there would be no need of any conflict
He intimated that in the event of q
double barreled investigation of the
Hylan administration the legislative
investigating committee would inquire
into the grating and other criminal
conditions alleged to exist, while the
Governors committee would inquire
into administrative.
Senator Theodore Douglas Robinson
who with Assemblyman Joseph Stein
berg is fathering the proposed legis-
lative investigation of the Hearst-Hy-
lan-Tammany regime, to-day had a long
conference with Governor Miller. Sen
ator Robinson was accompanied by Sen
ator Schuyler M. Meyer, who has also
introduced a resolution to investigate
alleged graft and maladministration OF
the New York City depar tments.
Neither Mr.. Robinson nor Mr. Meyer
would discuss their conference with the
Governor.
Members of the Legislature who al
first were won over by the arguments
of the powerful friends here of the
Hylan administration have been con.
vinced by the developments in the IN
vcstigation being conducted by Charles
S. Whitman that there is no longer
any doubt of the need of thorough
inquiry into the New York City depart
ments under the Mayor.
Several legislators, after reading OF
investigation conducted by Mr.. Whit
man, Expressed the opinion that the
offers of assistance made at the be-
ginning of Mr.. Whitmans investiga-
tion by Mayor Hylan and Police Com.
missioner Enr;ght were intended as g
smoke screen.
These members of the Legislature
point to the refusal of Police Commits
sioner Enright and Mayor Hylan tc
assign detectives requested by Mr.
Whitman to aid him lin the investiga
ton he is conducting at the instance
Of the District Attorney as proof OF
offer Of assistance.
Bill Would Nullify Rule 1874
Nor can these legislators understand
if the Mayor and his Police Commits
soner are sincere, why Rule 1874 OF
the Police Department, which enables
the Mayor and the Police Commissioner
to obtain information Of grand jury
investigation, has not been rescinded
New York City. members who are
familiar with the situation are. not
surprised at the attempted blocking OF
the Whitman inquiry. Knowing as
they do the hatred of the inner clique
of the Police Department for Mr.. Whit
man and those who aided him in send
ing four police inspectors and several
other members of the department tc
Jail, the city men in the Legislature
look upon the refusal of the Hylan
administration to render help as the
most natural thing in the world.
1t can be stated authoritatively that g
bill multiplying the provision of Rule
lSA will be introduced in the Legisla-
tufe Monday night ana rushed with all
possible speed to the Governor The
proposed legislation will invalidate
such rule and at the same time make
it crime for a police commissioner
or other official of the New York City
admnistra ton to pry into any grand
jury investigation being made Of any
city or county department.