New-York tribune., 1921-01-05
Issuance of Subp@nas
for Members Who Urged
investigation of Hylan
Rule Called Intimidation
Punish Prosecutor.
Is Cry of Some
Violation of the Consti-
tuition Charged; To De-
lnand Inquiry To-day
From q STAFF corrcsponde1.


OF Senator Theodore Douglas Robinson
and Assemblyman Joseph Steinberg By
District Attorney Swami because Of
their indictment of the Hearst-Kylan-
Iammany regime was denounced by
members OF the Legislature tonight.
All of the legislators who COM
mented on the subject charged that
District Attorney Swann's action
smacked of intimidation. Others were
more direct in their charges. Some
suggested that Swami be punished by
the Legislature.
The mildest and most charitable re-
buke administered District Attorney
Swami came from Fl. Edmund Machold,
who will be Speaker of the Assembly.
Said Machold:
"Swann's action looks to me like a
small boys play"
Looks Like Intimidation
Senator Seymour H. Lowman, OF
Elmira a member of the executive COM
nittee of the Republican State Com
mittee, said:
''The entire course Of District Attor-
ney Swann-his statement and the sub
penang of Senator Robinson and AS
semblyman Steinberg- of IN
limitation. Swann's actions should not
deter these two legislators, or any other
member of the Legislature, from 60
ing ahead and demanding an investi-
cation o. the Hylan administration and
of Mr. Swanns office, or doing any
thing else they believe is their duty to
~, o,,L tn q ~ y
Senator Fred B. Pitcher, of Water
town. said: "This action of Swann's is
d violation of the spirit, if not the
letter, Of the constitutional provisions
which guarantees to a memberAOf the
Legislature freedom from inquisition
AS to his attitude and declarations on
matters likely to be the subject of leg
islative action. 1t seems strange . me
that any one should object to aisclo-
sures of rottenness. am quite conf
dent that an investigation would assist
District Attorney Swami in his duties
Assembyman Mario di Pjrro, of New
York. said: "If it is District Attorney
Swann's intention 10 jntimidatc mem
bers Of the Legislature his action is
outrageous. If this is his purpose, it
viii fail"
Senator Schuyler NJ. Meyer, Of New
York, said: 81 hardly think District
Attorney Swami is serious. II he is, it
is apparent that it is an effort at in
timidation. | am satisfied that the
Legislature will know how to handle
Mr. Swami, as it will any one else who
tries any such tactics"
Only the Truth Hurts
Senator A. l.. Katlin, of Brooklyn,
said: "I'd like to know what right Dis
trict Attorney Swami has to summon
any member Of the Legislature before
him because Of statements he made re-
garding proposed legislation. Only the
auth hurts-and Swami seems badly
hurt"
AssnNblyman Eberly Hutchinson, of
Fulton Hamilton, said: "District At
torney Swann's action seems like a
very ridiculous attempt at an inva-
sion Of the constitutional privileges
and rights granted to legislators"
Senator D. II. Ames, of Cattarau
viii learn before long that it is wrong
to interfere with members OF the
Legislature because of utterances
made by them respecting their inten-
tions as legislators"
Senator Warren T. Thayer, OF Cha
teaueay. said: This action of Mr.
Swami is amazingly high-h handed, and
ne will learn that he will gain nothing
by it. would prefer just now not to
say all think of his action"
Senator John l.. Karle, of Queens,
said: "Dstrct Attorney Swami has
topped himself into mess which he
viii find it difficult to get out Of .
Senetor Alvah W. Burlingane ir., Of
Brooklyn, said: "a man seldom makes
noise unless he is hurt There is no
need OF further comment on District
Attorney Swann--now'
An Unusual Procedure
Assembtyman Charles II. Belts, OF
Wayne County, said: "It seems to me
that Swann's action is an unusual pro-
cedure. If he really wants to find out
what Senator Robinson and Assembly =
man Steinberg know let him wait until
they go down to New York City off,
cially on a Legislative investigation
committee.'
Senator William A. Carson, of Rush
Vile, a member Of the Lockwood com
mittee, said: IL have read District
Attorney Swann's statement in the
newspapers to-day, as we'll as his in
tenton to subpoena Senator Robinson
and Assemblyman Steinberg. do not
know how Mr.. Swanns mind operates
for his actions and statement are
ridiculously strange. I know, as a
member of the Lockwood committee,
that District Attorney Swami had prac-
ticaliy all the evidence the Lockwood
CONTINUED on next paoe)