The New York herald., 1921-01-23
BAR TO HATCH'S $4,000

BAR TO HATCH'S $4,000
Evidence Being Gathered to
Connect Detectives With Gang
Of Motor Thieves.
If any further attempt is made to
obstruct ex-Gov. Whitman's graft in
vestigation by the Withholding Of an
appropriation or otherwise, the project
for a sweeping inquiry by the Legis-
lature or an agent of the Governor
will develop rapidly.
Mr.. Whitman, so it was said yester-
day, has been assured of full coopera-
tion from Gov. Miller and leaders of
the Republican majority in the Legis-
lature, who have been watching his
work as translated into indictments by
the Grand Jury and are satisfied he is
on the right track. The main question
now is whether his present investiga-
ton, restricted to presentation of evil
denCe of crime, is sufficiently compre-
hensive Mr. Whitman apparently in
dicated his own ideas on the subject
when he said the other day that of
course a committee of the Legislature
could consider matters incompetent
for review by the Grand Jury.
1t is believed that he may himself
eventually ask for a broader scrutiny
of city departments than the Grand
Jury can indulge in. Apparently he
thinks that he can clean up the Police
Department by following the present
the other departments could best be
exposed by open examination, the
criminal evidence, if any was dis
closed, to be turned over to a Grand
Jury. as was done in the case of the
Lockwood committee.
May be Chief Counsel.
II a legislative committee is sent down
to New York it is not at all unlikely
that Mr. Whitman will be it's chief coun-
sci. or IL Gov. Miller decides to APP
point a commissioner to take testimony
under the Moreland act, which he has
asked the Legislature to broaden so that
charges against individuals need not be
specified. Mr.. Whitman may be the man.
1t has been supposed that Senator
Robinson and Assemblyman Steinberg,
who. in requesting the appointment OF
n Joint committee of the Legislature,
made charges of graft which caused DIS
trict Attorney Swami to unleash Mr..
Whitman, would not stand for Mr.. Whit
man as counsel to such committee.
That may be true of Senator Robinson.
but Assemblyman Steinbery said yester-
day he was much impressed with the for
mer Governors work thus far. and ad-
mitted that he had modified his opinion
that the Swami Whitman inquiry was
smokescreen so far as Mr.. Whitman was
concerned.
The other resolution in Albany for an
investigation by the Legislature Is that
of Assemblyman Schuyler Meyer II he
gets II adopted Mr.. Whitman would al
most certainly be the committees :oun-
sci.
Mr.. Steinberg said that Mr.. Whitman
was getting good results. when so far
as they had gone confirmed the charges
he and Senator Robinson made.
Handicapped by Swami.
But understand" he said. that he
is investigating only the Police Depart
ment and we want everything invcsti-
gated. District Attorney Swann's own
office has been inefficient. He should
have brought out many OF the facts dis
closed by Mr.. Untermyer and the Lock-
wood committee. / think Mr.. Whitman
is under n handicap because Mr.. SWAIN
is his official superior, but / do not
know how far he can overcome that
handicap. think Mr.. Whitman himself
favors a legislative investigation os all
departments. public Investigation. Sup
pose Mr. Whitman should find that Mr..
Swami has been negligent. | don't sec
how. as Mr.. Swann's subordinate, he
could take very drastic action"
Mr.. Steinberg was asked IL ne thought
Mr.. Whitman would be a good man to
select as counsel for Committee OF the
Legislature.
"He is undoubtedly an able investiga-
tor" he said. but don't want to ex-
press any opinion OF any one man. To
some extent ! have modified my idea
that this investigation was a smoke
screen. / think Mr.. Swami intended Il
to be. but Mr.. Whitman has shown good
faith and got results. But he ought to
be absolutely unhampered. and an un-
hampered investigation can only be
undertaken by the State"
Mr.. Steinberg thought the Moreland
act would be broadened as requested by
Gov. Miller. but that an Investigator
working under that act would not con-
flict with a committee Of the Legislature.
whitman Nurses Cold.
Mr.. whitman stayed at home nursing
n cold yesterday. His assistants were
at work preparing the evidence In the
automobile case" which may get Go
the Grand Jury tomorrow. It IL
charged that the stealing OF automobiles
in this city is well organized trade in
which certain detectives whose business
Is the capture of thieves and recovery
of cars are partners.
Mr.. Whitman has been especially
anxious that no word Of his discoveries
shall become public at this time. He
seems TO regard this matter rs exceed