The New York herald., 1921-06-30
MEMBER ATTACKS
MEYER COMMITTEE
Assemblyman Block, Tam
many Adherent, Protests
Against Extravaganza.
FIXES S3OO.OOO AS COST
Senator Meyer RetOrts That
Criticism Is Due to
Sour Grapes.
CALLS PAYROLL MODEST
Declares Minority Is Dis
pleased Because Followers
Are Not on 1t.
CALLS PAYROLL MODEST

Assem- blyman Maurice BLOCK, ram
many member OF the Meyer investi-
eating committee, protested yesterday
IN the interest of public economy
that the inquiry which Is just getting
under way will cost the taxpayers
-300,00o or more.
The Tammany contingent in the
committee, which has been striving at
every point to block the investigation
of Mayor Hylan. appealed to the Re
publican majority conducting the in
quiry to remember Gov. Miller's
economy programme. Block made
public a long list Of the committees
employees. with their salaries. to prove
that the Investigators are extravagant.
In answer to the charge of waste,
Senator Meyer said Block and the Tam
many men are displeased because they
have been unable to get any Of their
political followers on the committees
payroll. Meyer said he regarded the
payroll as modest and fair and said
Block overstated the case.
The Investigators continued examin-
ing witnesses by the dozen and Elon r.
Brown completed several important lines
tation Of the cases next week at public
hearings In City Hall
Leach Case Argued.
The Appellate Division of tho Supreme
Court reserved decision on the appeal
taken by tho Meyer committee from JUS
tice Whitakers denial Of the motion to
punish Deputy Police Commissioner
Leach for contempt for refusing to
answer questions before a subcommittee.
Mr.. Brown appeared for the committee
and Corporation Counsel O'Brien for the
police official Justice Clarke, presiding.
remarked that It was q peculiar thing to
see any one trying to block the States
investigators and that the Deputy Com
missioner would not have refused to be
sworn unless acting under orders.
The original appropriation made by the
Legislature for the investigation was
$1,000 Assemblyman Block stated in
his letter to Senator Meyer. and the
spent and that the expenses would run
far beyond any estimates made.
The partial list Of employees salaries
indicates a weekly payroll of S3.476.
Block declared. which does not include
the special fees to be allowed Mr.. Brown
as chief counsel, Leonard Wallstein a.
associate. hotel bills for members and
employees. the stsnographers' bills, esti-
mated at $4,000, for reporting the hear
ings and office rents.
TT appears that the additional charges
involved will swell the total expenditure
to 100000 or more and bring the mat
ter to your attention and protest In the
name Of public decency against such ex-
travagance," Block stated.
Expense Of Publicity.
Special items in the payroll to which
Block took exception included one Of
$1,000 headed lump sum for indefinite
period" paid to Arthur Howden Smith.
newspaperman. acting as assistant to the
chairman and az publicity director.
This seems q remarkable procedure
for the committee to take" Block de-
clared. May I inquire whether this
is a weekly or monthly appropriation
for press agent services? What total
sum Is 10 be paid by tho taxpayers for
the services Of Q man who viii help
the cornmattee blow Stu own hornT'
The CttizenS Union IL now engaged
actively In opposing the Hylan nomina-
ton for Mayor, Block said. and some
ono with an evf1 mind may assume that
there % some connection between the
employment OF members Of the Citizens
Union star to aid the committee and the
anti-ETylan campaign
Special protest was lodged against en-
ployfng James n Smith formerly As
,ristsnt District Attorney. at the rate OF
$40. 900 q year: Frank Lord, formerly
Deputy Police Commissioner. at $4,000
"A year: Spencer Phoenix, at $1,000 q
year: Herbert r. Sands. accountant, at
$4,000 Q year. and Paul c. Wilson, at
$4,000 q year. Following n a partial
list Of the committees employees with
their positions and salaries as given out
by Block: