The New York herald., 1921-03-03
Probable Successor Denies Re-
port That His Superior Con-
templates Resigning.

had better take it. Mr.. Banton feels GER
tain that the District Attorney will be
back his desk by March IA at the latest
and will serve out his term, which ends
on December 81 next.
1t was explained that until now Mr.
Swain had not had a vacation in five
years, except for a ten days trip last
December. and that in addition to suffer-
ing from a cold which settled in the
trachea and for which a change OF eli
mate was prescribed. he had been worn
down by the responsibilities Of his work,
including two Investigations of the Dig
trict Attorneys office and vague threats
OF another
Banton the Real Boss.
Investigation OF yesterdays rumor
disclosed a peculiar condition of affairs
in the office OF the county prosecutor.
Although Mr.. Swami is the titular Dis
trict Attorney and draws salary of
s15,o 900 year. he has ceased to be more
than a figurehead. The real District
Attorney is Mr.. Banton. 1t is he who
directs the work of the entire staff, has
the organization Of the office under his
control and is responsible for results.
Mr.. Swami is supposed TO have the say
as regards general policy. but 1t has
been noticed that even in this respect
Mr.. Banton has been acting on his own
initiative. even before Mr.. Swami went
TO Florida
For example, Mr. Banton did not even
consult Mr.. Swami last month when he
caused to be sent to Albany two bills
calculated to increase the efficiency of
the District Attorneys office. One of
these would give to the medical ex-
aminer Of the District Attorney prece-
dence over the citys medical examiner
in the investigation OF death by vio-
lence the other empowers the District
Attorney to employ expert assistance in
the investigation OF such accidents as
collapsing OF buildings and TO charge
the bill to the county. Mr. Swami ap-
proved Of these bills when he heard OF
them. There Is no friction whatever be-
tween Mr.. Banton and Mr.. Swan. Appar-
emily the District Attorney feels re-
lieved at being freed from the grind of
supervision.
It was obvious, therefore. that Mr..
Banton spoke by the book, when, at
New Years dinner. given in honor of
Alfred j. Talley, in celebration Of the
latter's rise to the bench OF General
Sessions. he spoke as IL he were in
charge OF the District Attorneys office.
He told the assembled staff of the office
that its future policy would be work"
He said that he intended TO ask for the
resignation OF any assistant who did
not do the amount and character of
work expected OF him. The next day
II was admitted that Mr.. Banton was
"the boss Since then he has stiffened
the fibre of the entire staff. and II is
only fair to say that New York IS
getting better results from the money il
spends on the prosecution OF criminals
than IL was several months ago.
Mr. Banton moved into the office room
vacated by Mr.. Talley. who preceded
him as chief assistant. Now that MIR.
Swami il away he sits at the District At
torney's desk in the big office but whcr-
ever he sits the staff 90 20 him for or
ders. even when Mr. Swami Is on hand.
Mr. Banton explained yesterday his pres
cncc in Mr. Swann's private office by
saying that he had turned over his own
room to William Chilvers, one or Charles
S. Whitman's assistants. because that
room adjoins Mr.. Whitman's goom and
Il was desirable that AR Whitman and
Mr.. Chilvers should be near together.
Certain politicians say the answer 10
the Swami Banton puzzle is this Tam
many Is going to run Mr. Bantou for
District Attorney this fall lt had Alfred
J. Talley slated. but his appointment TO
out Of the picture. BY putting Mr.. Ban
ton into tho District Attorneys office
and letting him run IL two ends are ac-
complishCd. First. the District Attor-
neys' office. 4 target of criticism
throughout Mr.. Swann's term. Is brought
into a state Of efficiency desirable In a
campaign year second. the public IL
enabled TO become acquainted with MIR.
Banton,
Mr.. Banton was an Assistant District
Attorney In 1918 and part Of 1919.
Thereafter he was IN private practice.
with several Insurance companies among
his clients. Hc said yesterday that he
returned. at the sacrifice Of private in
terests, to tho public service al the re-
quest OF Mr.. Swami and Judge Taliey.
He felt, he said that he must in loyalty
respond TO the call Of his former chief,
Mr.. Swami. whom lie lad known for
many years and toward whom his feel
ing was one OF respect and affection.