New-York tribune., 1921-04-03
Livingston to
Fight Probe of
Hylan Regime
Brooklyn Leader, After Con-
ference of Republican
Chiefs in Clynn's Office,
Says He Opposes Inquiry
Bronx Men With Him
Despite Antagonism TO In
vestigation by Legislature,
Plans for 1t Are Laid

Although Samuel S. Koenig. chairman
Of the Republican County Committee
has expressed his approval of the plan
Tor Legislative inquiry into the Hylan
administration, and Republican district
leaders in Manhattan have reported
that there is q demand for such an
investigation, Jacob A. Livingston, Re.
publican leader in Brooklyn, asserted
yesterday that he would do all that he
could to prevent it.
Mr.. Livingston voiced his opposition
At conference held in the Office of Re
publican State Chairman Glynn. at
wwaich Richard W. Lawrence, Repub-
iican leader in the Bronx; Joseph
a. De Bragga, Republican leader in
queens, and James p. Thompson. Re
publican leader in Richmond, were
present. as we'll as Mr.. Livingston and
the state chairman.
Mr.. koenig at the time was in con-
ference with Manhattan district lead
ers. In the absence Of the New York
county chairman. the Brooklyn leader
announced his views in emphatic terms
and made a visible impression upon
some Of the other leaders. Mr.. Thomp-
son announced that Bronx County's
representatives in the Legislature
might be expected to oppose an inquiry
iHtO tuc lvidu regime.
Called Fishing Expedition"
Mr.. Livingston, although he assumed
the leadership of the opposition and
spoke most emphatically on the sub
ject, based his entire objection to the
investigation upon the assumption that
the investigation would be no more
than FISHING excursion"
II am against a Legislative investiga-
a bo ftoo r.-l,, ,,ol,
be appointed has something concrete
TO begin WITH he said after the ad-
iournment of the conference. "Unless
there is criminality somewhere that is
to be disclosed, 80 that the people will
be aroused on a moral issue, | cannot
see the utility of sn investigation, and
| think that the time and effort and
money spent on it will be thrown away.
That is my personal judgment. People
not agreeing with me are welcome to
their own opinions. I shall do what |
can to prevent an Investigation.
"1f there is to be no raise in car
fares, the Hylan people will be with
out an issue, and will have to defend
themselves on the record of their ad-
ministration. That means that we shall
beat them, as the people who now are
shouting about an eight-cent fare viii
forget all about their present scare if
there is to be no eight-cent fare"
District Leaders for Inquiry
"Unless we are going to uncover
something sensational the man in the
lattve investigation, and we might as
we'll not start anything. I think my
Senator and Assemblyman will be
against the investigatlon.'' said Mr.
Thompson.
Generally speaking, the New York
County district leaders are much in
favor of an investigation. County
President Koenig, when asked by them
about the imminence of such an in
quiry, has told them that there is more
and more pressure for it at Albany and
less and less objection to it in this
city. The somewhat changed attitude
OF President Koenig toward the pro-
posed investigation has made notice
able difference in Manhattan AS noted
in The Tribune yeste rday. the decks
are being cleared for the inquiry, and
formal statement is expected this
week from Senator Lusk and Speaker
Machold bearing on the matter.
Scope of Proposed Probe
Interest now is centered on the scope
of the investigation and on the one
who is to direct it. Senator Robinson
and Assemblyman Steinberg made the
first move for legislative inquiry, but
later, finding that theiD initiative was
not entirely welcomed, told the Gov
ernor that they did not care who had
the credit for heading the committee
and that Senator Schuyler Meyer, Of
Manhattan, would suit them. The up
state men would like to see ex-senator
Eion r. Brown chief counsel They
contend that if crminality or big graft
are not uncovered Mr.. Brown would
still achieve substantial results in dis
closing grossly extravagant and ineffi-
cient administration, and that the re-
suits would be substantial, even if thev
were not spectacular.
| On the other hand, there is a we'll
nigh unanimous feeling that Mr.. Brown
should have the assistance of skilled
criminal investigators who might
quickly follow up any criminal clew
disclosed in the inquiry.