The New York herald., 1921-01-02
BAIL BOND INQUIRY
CALLED DIVERSION
in CRIME EPIDEMIC
Attempt TO Shift Public In
dignation From Police
Failures.
TWO MEN PROMINENT
Majority of Cases in 1920
Handled by Offices Near
Criminal Courts.
BIG COMPANIES CHARY
Corporations Have Long De-
sired to Drop 'Unsavory'
Branch of Business.
BIG COMPANIES cHARY

There is much Of an unsavory flavor
which may be revealed by District At
torney Swann's "John Doe" inquiry
into bail bonding methods. provided
that investigation be conducted in a
thorough, painstaking and impartial
spirit.
Among officers OF the large surety
and bonding companies there Is a dis
position to suggest that the inquiry,
which Is to begin tomorrow afternoon
in the Criminal Courts Building with
Magistrate George w. Simpson pre-
siding, is not so much a sincere effort
to better conditions which in spots
have been tainted with scandal as it
Is an attempt to divert public ndigna-
ton from the failure of the city ad-
ministration and of the District Attor
ney's organization to protect the public
against the extraordinary epidemic of
crimes of violence. That thought was
bluntly expressed by one officer Of a
big bonding corporation who said:
'They are dragging the usual red her
ring across the trail"
The John Doe inquiry. IL it delve deep
enough, probably will reveal the fact
that one OF the bonding company agents
TO whom Mr.. Swami referred as certain
persons who operate in this building
under brokers' license" is bail bond
angel" who has served term in prison
and who at the present moment rests
under an indictment charging him with
heinous crime against young woman
who visited his office close by the Grim
inal Courts Building for the purpose of
arranging a bail bond for her brother
1t will not be difficult to elicit evidence
that this particular agent has repre-
sented in turn at least two of the large
surety and bonding companies and that
he still holds his insurance brokers' IL
cense issued by the State Department of
Insurance in Albany. although he no
longer enjoys a power OF attorney issued
on behalf of the company to which he
now turns over most Of his business.
Custom of the business.
II has been customary for the bond
9 ing and surety companies solicting this
sort of criminal business to give to their
Criminal Courts Building agents n
power of attorney thus enabling them
to afford prompt relief TO arrested or in
dicted persons in emergency.
In the case of another of these bail
bond angels" who have become almost
as familiar feature in the nelghbor-
hood of the courts and the Tombs as Is
the Bridge OF Signs that spans Franklin
street his power of attorney was re-
called and revoked last October, his
company. which is one of the oldest and
most respected engaged in bonding, hav-
ing taken the position that II would ac-
cept no more of what it's president called
this unsavory business" The agent In
question may still be found In the vicin-
ity of Centre and Franklin streets. but
his activities an officer OF his company
assured NEW YORK HERALD reporter.
are confined now and have been for two
months or more. to the closing out Of old
business incident to Judgments entered
In connection with forfeited bonds and
similar holdover matter.
Under the law surety and bonding
companies are permitted to charge 2 per
cent premium on bail bonds furnished.
That is 10 say, bond of $4,000 would
cost 800. Rumors have been rife for
wears about the Criminal Courts Build
inrs that certain OF the bail bond an
gels" who followed the trail Of the un-
Fortunate newly made prisoner with the
energy and tirelessness of an old time
as the reward OF their enterprise.
Doubtless they often received extra
bonuses from attorneys. friends or rela-
tives of their beneficiaries, especially II
their merciful offices were exercised dur
ing the night or at times and places In
voiving some personal Inconvenience to
the 'angel' himself.
Among the bonding companies. how
ever. some paid to their criminal courts
ayent a salary MUS a commission. The
latter commonly amounted to one-ausr-
ter OF the amount of the premium
charged by the company for the bond.
In one case. where the agent Is highly
competent and of unsmirched personal
character. his company has paid him, In
addition 70 commissions, salary Of
more than $4,000 year.
Many Withdrawals Considered.
Judge swann's "John Doe" inquiry
may also uncover the fact that long
49, UNA WI r . n