New-York tribune., 1921-04-07
Brooklyn Leaders Aids
Boast Machold Will
Kill Any Resolution
Offered in Assembly
Speaker Refuses
TO Make Comment
Kings Boss Calls Graft
Charges Bunk; Senate
Ready for Vote To-day

ston, leader of one faction of the
Brooklyn Republican machine, aided by
flock of Hearst Iylan- Tammany
agents, has temporarily blocked the
legislative investigation Of graft condi-
tions in New York City.
Mr. Livingston's friends are boa.tinp
that the Kings County leader and few
others from New York City have per-
suaded Speaker Fl. Edmund Machold to
kill any resolution calling for a graft
investigation on the Assembly side.
This can be done by Speaker Machold,
as the Rules Committee, which he con-
trolls, has charge of ell pending legisla-
tion for the balance Of the session.
Those opposed to an nvcstigation
early to-day were jubliant and quoted
Speaker Machold as saying that he
would not let the Assembly pass anv
resolution providing for graft inyes-
tigation while the New York City Re-
publicans were divided on the matter.
Machold Denies Story
This was denied by Speaker Machold
when he was asked to make state
ment announcing his position.
Just now is not the time" he said.
AT this point Mr.. Livingston en-
tered Speaker Machold's room. He was
invited to join with those who want
an investigation into the Hcarst-Hylan-
Tammany administration.
Never" said Mr.. Livingston. "I
am opposed to an investigation. I
would suggest that you have the reso-
luton amended so that it would read:
inns ~ n, investigation is wanted by The
rlDuhe for newspaper purposes Why
don't you have it amended?"
Mr.. Livingston was reminded that
when The Tribune first demanded an
he came out Mt once
against it, saying that it would only
result in fishing excursion and that
II you'd not accomplish anything.
since then" Mr.. Livingston was
1urther III reminded, "a grand jury in
y'res:ttigatiion, started as result of The
Tribune's charges, has resulted in
more than twenty indictments, includ
ing two members of the force for
shooting to death sixteen-year-old
roy who was playing an a roof. That
staying was quashed for two wears.
One of the boys slayers has been con-
vlcted: Grafters have been indicted,
and former Governor Whitman, who
has conducted the grand jury investi-
cation, is authority for the statement
that Legislative inquiry is needed in
order that the graft in other counties,
investigated"
Bunk" Says Livingston
"That's bunk!" exclaimed Mr.. T;v-
ingston. "There was a special Grand
jury investigating for more than a
year and it found nothing. And it
had plenary powers"
Again an attempt was made to cor
rect MI. Llvlngston's impressions. He
was told that grand jury did not
have plenary powers, and that that was
the very question raised by former
governor Whitman recently when he
declared that in the interest of good
government legislative investigation
of New York City was necessary. He
was reminded that the grand jury in
question was sitting in New York
County, which was but one of the five
counties OF the greater city, could not
investigate graft in other counties. as
former Governor Whitman stated
What other counties is there graft
in 2" demanded Mr.. Livingston.
Mr.. Whitman has indicated YOUR
own county and Queens County" he
was answered.
Bunk" was Mr.. Livingston's COM
ment.
The Senate is ready to pass the reso-
luton. The Senate Finance Commit
tee is virtually unanimous for it, the
Tammany members of the committee
alone opposing it.
The Senate Eirapoa Coro-,;+to. 49,
IS ready to report out the bill calling
for an investigation of the charter Of
the City of New York with view to
revising it so as to reduce the posei-
biltles of ineficiency and graft to a
minimum. Both these proposals are
favored by Governor Miller. He alone
was responsible for giving the impetus
TO the proposals few days ago which
seemed to insure their passage.
Miller Referred to Graft
The Governor on more than one occa-
sion has come out unqualifiedly for an
investigation of the graft conditions
in New York City.
There is considerable feeling among
TRENDS Of the Governor over the efforts
Of Mr.. Livingston to block the passage
OF the resolution calling for an investi
gatlon Of corruption in the City of New
YORK, IN view of the fact that such an
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