The New York herald., 1921-03-02
HlRSHFIELD SEEKS
TO TOEXONERATECOP
WHITMAN INDICTED
Asserts Andrews Paid Part
of Stolen Car Reward Into
Police Pension Fund.
CLEARS MOTOR SQUAD
Grand Jury Hears a Police
man Bought Automobile
From Thief for $3.50.
SING SING CONVICT HEARD
Interest of a City Official in a
Street Cleaning Contract Is
Under Scrutiny.
SING SING CONVICT HEARD

While Charles s. Whitman was be-
fore the Grand Jury yesterday pre-
senting new evidence against members
of the Police Department. David Hlrsh-
field, Commissioner of Accounts, was
busy in the Municipal Building eN-
onerating William j. Lahey and all
the members of the automobile squad
under Indictment. A street cleaning
contract also was considered, but no
indictments were voted before the
Grand Jury adjourned until to-mor-
row.
Mr.. Hirshfield sent a report to Mayor
Hylan and Police Commissioner En-
right citing police records to prove
that the automobile squad men had
the required permission to receive
stolen car recovery rewards, which
they are accused Of taking unlawfully.
He also said the records proved In
each case that 40 per cent of the
money went into the police relief fund
and 10 per cent into the pension fund.
AS a typical case, Mr.. Hirshfield Sc
lected that of Detective George j. An
drews. Andrews was indicted with In
spector Lahey, who is accused OF re-
ceiving a $50 check and turning IT
over to the detective, who cashed 1t.
In giving Andrews a clean bill, Mr..
Hfrshfield gave one also to Lahey
Ex-Gov. Whitman's comment was that
the Grand Jury evidence contradictcd
Hirshfield. and that if the police records
cited by Iiirshfield really exist some
one at Police Headquarters is guilty of
contempt OF court, for all of the recorns
we're subpoenaed and no such papers or
books were produced.
wanderings of a $50 Check.
Commissioner Hirshfield in his report
said that a $50 check from the Automo-
bile Underwriters Detective Bureau,
PAYABLE to Detective Andrews as a re-
ward for the recovery of a Buick car,
was received at headquarters on June
H. 1920 1t was forwarded to Lahey
then Second Deputy Commissioner. FOR
attention" says Hirshfield. and on June
IS Iahey acknowledged by letter its re-
ceipt. On the same day he referred the
matter TO Inspector John j. Cray, COM
manding the inspection division, FOR re-
port and recommendation.
Cray, on June %. got from Detective
John Fitzpatrick. head Of the autoDlo-
bile squad. a report on Andrews's re-
covery of the car and requesting per-
mission for the acceptance of the re-
ward by Andrews. less the usual deduc-
tions for the pension and relief funds
Cray then indorsed the papers in the
case" giving the application his .. X.
and sent them back TO Lahey.
The next day Lahey sent the papers,
Endorsed and approved. to Third Deputy
Joseph "A. Faurot. executive officer of
the department. Faurot in turn gave
his approval and sent the papers and
the $50 check TO r. J. Healy. depart
mental bookkeeper.
Roger X. Walsh, chief clerk of the
department. certified that Commissioner
Enright approved the reward under the
conditions stated, and on June "A Book
keeper Healy delivered the check to
Andrews. But before doing this, ac-
cording TO Hirshfield. Healy received
from Andrews s25 cash. the amount to
be divided between the pension and re-
lief funds.
THE bookkecper. on the same June "a.
1920 said Hirshfield. made an appro-
pirate entry of the receipt of said s25
In the regular book OF account OF the
department kept for that purpose
Andrews Credited with as.
In the City Record for February ap-
pears Commissioner Enright's report of
the police pension fund for 1920 One
item is: June 2i. George ]. Andrews,
10 per cent. of reward So" on tho
face of II this would seem to support
Hirshfeld's contention. except for the
date. The day on which the reward was
accepted. as specified in the Indictment
was June ~, 1920. whereas. according
TO Hirshheld, the check was not received
at headquarters until June IL and An
drews did not receive IL until June "a
Among the witnesses before the Grand
Jury yesterday were George B. Jones
who was brought down from Sing Sing
where he is imprisoned for receiving a
stolen automobile. and Harry Greatbach,
VINO in General Sessions last week adj
intted the theft OF two cars and said
he sold them to two policemen. Another
story under scrutiny Is that OF an auto
mobile thief who ran down little girl
She was not badly hurt. but the thief
was arrested and the cop. discovering
that the car had been stolen. bought Il
from the thief for $3.50.
Two women who are supposed to
know something about contracts in
Queens have been suopnn@d as witnesses
i'm the Whitman inquiry