New-York tribune., 1921-04-12
Iribune's Drive to Result
in Sweeping Inquiry
by Legislative Board;
100000 to Spend
May Call Murphy;
Tamrnany in Panic
Woods Furnishes Facts
That Speed Decision;
Passage in 48 Hrs. Seen


ALBANY, April 1.-THE New
York Tribune's expose of the Hylan
administration, particularly of con-
ditions within the Police Depart
ment, bore fruit to-day in an agree
ment between legislative leaders and
Governor Miller to bring about full
and sweeping legislative investiga-
tion of municipal corruption.
The agreement was reached at the
end of conference in the executive
Offices Of Governor Miller. Evidence
produced behind the closed door of
the Governors chamber served to
convince doubtful members Of the
Legislature that merciless probe of
the government of the greater city
was imperative.
The graft investigation will start
within two weeks. Before this pc
riod has elapsed a joint committee
of the Legislature, clothed with
broad powers, will have been ap-
pointed. This committee will have
the right to grant immunity to wit
nesses, authority that is rarely dele
gated to such body. 1t will also
possess the power to compel the pro-
duction of every scrap of paper.
every book in all city Offices from
Mayor Hylan's down to the lowest
salaried clerk in the city govern
ment.
Tammany members of the Legisia-
ture were in a panic tonight when
they realized that the special powers
to be conferred on the investigation
committee will permit the examination
of not only Mayor Hylan and Commits
sioner Enright, but also of Charles F.
Murphy. In their nervous conferences
the Tammany members recalled the
Lexow committee, which investigated
graft conditions in New York City more
than twenty-five years ago.
Woods Furnishes Information
At the conference, besides the Gov
ernor. were Senator Clayton K. Lusk,
ma GRITTY leader of the upper House;
Speaker H. Edmund Machold of the AS
sembly, Simon L. Adler. majority
leader of the Assembly; Senators Theo-
dore Douglas Robinson ard Schuyler NJ
Meyer, who, with Assemblyman Joseph
Steinberg, have labored persistently
for an investigation, and Colonel Ar
thur S. Woods, former Police Commits
sioner.
Colonel Woods supplied information
that was vital to the decision to in
vestigate the affairs of the city. Much
Of this information, it is understood,
came into his possession from men in
the department who are incensed
against the conditions prevailing under
the rule of Commissioner Enright.
Speaker Machold, in commenting on
the decision to investigate, said:
The Legislature could not afford to
be placed in the position of being
charged with being in collusion with
those charged with various forms of
corruption in the City of New York"
Senator Robinson said:
"The decision conforms to the judg-
ment of those who have been working
for such an investigation since the
opening day of the Legislature, and
before that date.
"The people of the City of New York
demand the facts. There have been
rumors and accusations without num-
Der. The people of the city will now
be able to ascertain the true facts con-
corning the conduct of the present city
administration.
81 am confident that committee
will be appointed which will work sole-
ly in the interest of the citizens of the
City of New York"
Steinberg Praises Tribune
Assemblyman Steinberg. who, be-
cause of his activities in trying to
have the Legislature investigate the
corruption in the Hearst Hy ylan- Tam
many administration was hailed before
the grand jury by District Attorney
Swami, along with reporters and edi-
tors of The Tribune, had this to say:
"Within a month New Workers will
know the depth and extent of the cor
upton and graft in the New York
City government The people should
not forget that the investigation now
under way by special grand jury in
District Attorney Swann's Office was
the result of the charges first pub
iisheo in The Tribune and that despite
the legal limitations imposed on a
grand jury investigation by law there
nave teen upward of a score Of lndict-
ments found.
"Some of the first indictments
against police grafters were found as
result of the work of Tribune re-
porters. From this fact the people can
realize what can be done by a COM
mittee of legislators clothed with all
the powers of the Legislature and in-
tent on getting all the facts"
The resolution which VIII be adopted
will contain the best portions of the
resolutions introduced by Senator
Robinson and Assembiyman Steinbere
and that introduced by Senator Meyer.
To Provide 100000 for Work
Senator Charles j. Hewitt, chairman
of the Senate Finance Committee. said
tonight that the com mittee would grant
the legislative graft Investigators $780,
600 for their work. The charter revi-
sion commission. which will be created
under bin introduced last week bv
Senator Meyer, will be allowed
$4,000 The commission will consist
Of fifteen citizens appointed By the
Governor, with the Mayor, the Comp