The New York herald., 1921-02-10
STARTS OFF SUDDENLY
Investigator, Aided by
Smith and King, Goes
to Grill Witnesses.
NO INDICTMENT, REPORT
Almirall Grand Jury Believed
to Have Given Facts to
Warrant Inquiry.

Charles S. Whitman himself became
the mysterious figure in the graft in
vestigation yesterday. He motored
away from the Criminal Courts Build
ing at noon and did not return. Sew
eral hours later his aid, Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Jim Smith, followed
him, squirrel by his faithful handy
man. Emil King. They were to meet,
away from the publicity of Centre
street, witnesses in a new case that
has sprung suddenly into the inquiry
"a homicide case affecting a member
of the Police Department.
Mr. Whitman expected to finish
this examination and go to his home
between $50 and r. NJ. to dress for
dinner, and go to the home of a
friend. He did not appear. There. was
no explanation; only an assumption
that he had found the new matter en-
gaging his attention more important
than a meal. Messrs. Smith and King
did not go home either. Their families
we're warned not to expect them until
late in the evening.
The place Of meeting was kept
secret. Rumor had it at the Bar As
sociation, at Mr. Whitman's law Of
flee and at the office of Raymond f.
Almirall, foreman OF the Extraordinary
Grand Jury, but scouts found no sign
of life at any OF these places. Mem
bers OF Mr.. Whitman's staff kept fin
ger to lip.
Tin From Almirall Jury.
1t was reported that suspicion OF
something queer about homicide case
IN which a member of the Police De-
partment was involved and exonerated
without Indictment had been passed on
TO Mr.. Whitman from the Almirall
Grand Jury, which has from time TO
time Investigated the workings OF the
District Attorneys office. 1t was re-
ported that Mr.. Almirall was one OF
those whom Mr.. Whitman WAS to meet
in private yesterday, and that persons
protesting TO know the facts of the hom-
icide were 10 be examined. None OF
these run1ors could be confirmed.
The puzzle was stiffened az $3.50
o'clock last night when Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Smith, emerging from OBJ
scurity in a taxicab. entered the West
Forty-seventh street police station and
served John Doe subpoena directing
the commanding officer OF the precinct
to produce before the Grand Jury to-day
the station house blotter for July. 1913.
Lieut.. Kelleher accepted service.
mot a word" Mr.. Smith said TO re-
porters who asked him why the blotter
was wanted. and away he went in the
cab. The desk blotter which he wanted
is supposed to have the record OF all
arrests and complaints and assignments
OF the force in that precinct. In July,
1918. Capt. Charles Mckinney had
charge OF the precinct and Inspector
Domincl Henry commanded the inspec-
tion district.
Mr.. Whitman has not made any ex-
tended investigation OF the District At
torney's office and has not said he will
do so. But as that office was one OF
those mentioned I'm the charges of Sena-
tor Robinson and Assembyman stein
berg, which caused District Attorney
Swami to unleash Mr. Whitman, he has
naturally kept his eyes open while at
work as Special Assistant District At
torney. He has been interested in learn
inp for example that there was only