New-York tribune., 1921-01-13
Hylan Withholds Aid
For Whitman Inquiry

~.A~S SiSI.SA AAoy VI AAS OI NOulIIliS-
s'o-"r Enricht intends to lend an
assistance whatever to Ex-Governor
\, an in the Investigation he is
conducting into city departments in
general and the police administration
in particu ar.
Although Mayor Hyian, through Dis
trict Attorney Swami, announced last
week that he would place at Mr.. Whit
mans disposal any six detectives in
to designate, the Special Deputy AS
sis.ant District Attorney announced
yesterday that no action had been
taken in regard to a request he made
last Monda. for the services Of AL.
Thomas first-crade detective attached
to the East Eigh ty-seventh Street sta
tion.
Thomas was assigned to Mr.. Whit
man as a probation officer when the
Mr.. Whitman became District Attorney
he acted as his confidential detective.
Request Made and Repeated
Mr.. Whitman said Yesterday that
he made his first request for Thomas
through Mr.. Swami, who on that day
called up Police Headquarters and in
formed Commissioner Enright's secre-
tarY that he desired Thomas's assist
ance. On the TO lowing day similar re-
quest was made, but up to last night the
ex-Governor's appeal had apparently
been ignored.
At the Criminal Courts Building yes
terda-' it was saio That District Attor-
new Swami had written a letter to
Mayor Hylan calling the latter's atten-
tion to this matter. 1t is believed tina.
the request for Thomas was one of
the matters Mr.. Swami had intended
taking up with Mayor Hylan Tuesday.
when he called at City Hall and was
refused an interview.
Mr.. Whitman told newspaper men
last night that he had not heard of
any action being taken in regard to
tt~ repeal Of Rule 1874, the p Zee reg
ulation which requires every member
of the department who has been called
before a grand jury or men ber- of
the. District Attorneys staff to give to
the Police Commissioner a detailed ac-
count Of everything that transpires
This "joker" in the police rules was
exposed by The Tribune Monday.
Through its application in the pres
ent investigation of the Police Depart.
meat Commissioner Enright would be
Bit of information or testimony given
by any member Of the department. Mr.
Whitman said last night tnat he woux
use Detective Thomas and perhaps
other members of the Police Depart.
meYt, despite Rule 1874.
And he added very emphatically thai
he wanted to see t EN- avail Themselves
Of the rule just once.
Rule 1874 Still Operative
II Rule 1874 Is still operative and is
lived up to by members of the depart,
ment the seventeen policemen who were
examined by MIR. Whitman yesterday
10 f,,l
10 Commissioner Enright of what they
told. Juogng from Mr.. Whitman's at
titude yesterday, there probably wi.
be some interesting and perhaps sensa.
tiona. developments if Enlignt eniorces
the rule.
Mr.. Whitman was informed yester.
day that it was understood that his
action in asking for the services of s
detective WHO had been associated with
him when he was prosecuting police
officers as District Attorney, was re-
sented at Police Headquarters. The
former Cover nor then recalled the fac
Il at D rtec.ive Thomas had testified as
q corroborating witness at the trial O.
1nss sector ..u.. .ha. wnen he was con
victed Of grating.
A Tribu..e REF orter learned yesterday
from a reliable source that evaryt ms
pos ib.e would be done at Police Head
quarters to prevent MIR. Whitman from
obtaining the services of men who were
identified with either the Woods OF
Waldo administrations.
Charles Pitt, who was associated
with Police Lieutenant Charles Becke,
when the latter was head of the strong
arm squad. called at the Crimina
Courts Building yesterday and asked
to- see Mr.. Whitman. 1t was under.
stood that he desired to be named as
one Of the special deputy's assistants
When he left the building it was sale
that Mr.. Whitman had not granted the
request.
Cafe Proprietor Testifies
Among the witnesses examined yes
teSday we're Albert Jansen, proprietor
of. the Hofbrau Haus, Thirtieth Stree,
and Broadway. Jansen was subpenaed
Tuesday night, together with j. John
ids and Mrs. Louis Bustanoby, co-pro
prietors Of the Cafe Beauxs Arts, For
tieth Street and Sixth Avenue.
DIR. Whitman refused to divulce tn,
nature of the information he obtained
or hoped to obtain, from these wit
nesses, but 1t is understood that it wa,
in live with his police investigation