The New York herald., 1921-01-25
$4,000 is VOTED
WHITMAN INQUIRY;
HE MAY ASK MORE
Mayor Says Aye, and Only
Opposition Comes From
Private Citizen.
LEGAL BARRIER ASKED
Mrs. Claussen Threatens to
Tie Up Appropriation
With Injunction.
NEW PROBING FOR GRAFT
Steinbrink Turns Over Big
Mass of Evidence Full Of
NEW PROBING FOR GRAFT
Steinbrink Turns Over Big
Mass of Evidence Full of
Possibilities.

terdav as its committee on finance,
voted to give District Attorney Swami
the $4,000 he requested for the ex-
penses of ex-Gov. Whitmans graft
investigation. This will be enough for
the present, but more will be needed
eventually, judging from the way the
inquiry is developing.
For two hours yesterday Mr.. Whit
man went over. with Meier Steinbrink.
evidence which Mr.. Steinbrink has
gathered as special counsel to the
Board Of Estimate in it's review of city
contracts. He regards it as seriously
rejecting the conduct of certain MEM
bers of the Street Cleaning and two
other departments. He described the
contents of brief cases which he sub
mitted to Mr.. Whitman as "a mass OF
concrete facts which in my opinion
warrant investigation, which may up
turn crime in some city department
and which want Mr.. Whitman to ex-
anime with view to determining
whether or not the facts spell out
crime" Mr.. Steinbrink said he would
place other papers, including steno-
graphic record. in Mr.. Whitmans
hands to-day
New Graft Game Rumored.
Meanwhile Mr.. Whitman and his as
sistants. continuing their scrutiny of the
Police Department have rounded up
information pointing toward two inspec-
tors and two captains in addition to the
two captains Bailey and Dubois. already
under indictment. one of the inspec-
tors and one of the captains are being
investigated on the theory that they
have received some of the money paid to
the police by business men for protec-
ton during strikes The others are in
volved. in the belief Of the investigators.
In another sort Of graft, spoken of in
the Criminal Courts Building as Shoot
ing at the kale from a new angle. One
of the rumor experts said that still AM
othertfine of research "led to one of the
men at Police Headquarters" Mr.. Whit
man would not admit this and indicated.
that he was not certain that he had any
thing in shape for another appearance
before the Grand Jury in the next few
days Unofficial prophecy that an in
spector and captain were likely to be
mentioned before the Grand Jury within
a. week received no substantiation from
him.
Following the sending to Mr. Whitman
Of the assertions made in Grand Jury
investigation in Mneola that gang of
automobile thieves centring in New York
Is distributing stolen machines to many
parts of the country. the United States
Department of Justice has shown
more than casual interest in the auto
mobile phase of the Whitman inquiry.
The Government it is understood. has
offered to cooperate with the Fcoupty
authorities in trying to smother this
traffic Mr. Whitman has evidence tina.
members of the Police Department have
been working with private detective
agencies in sequestrating stolen cars
and holding them for adequate rewards.
which the police and the agencies share
equally. Apparently an essential link
Is lacking for the charges which were
expected to produce indictments have
not yet been communicated to the Grand
Jury.
Yesterdays approval by the finance
committee of q $4,000 special revenue
bond issue for the support of the Whit
man investigation will probably be rati-
ned blythe Board OF Estimate on Friday.
unless NlrS. lud ildusSen. WHO is trylHe
TO get an injunction. prevents. Ratihca-
tion by the Aldermen is unnecessary, as
the resolution for a bond issue is drawn
under the section of the charter en-
powering the Board of Estimate to vote
bonds when the need is certified by the
District Attorney.
Mayor Hylan voted for the resolution
in the committee meeting. along with
President Curran of Manhattan Borough,
who offered the notion President La
Guardia of the Aldermen, and Francis
X. Sullivan. acting President of Queens.
The representatives of Bronx, Brook
lyn and Richmond did not vote. Pres-
dent Riegelmann OF Brooklyn explained
that he had no opportunity to study the
matter.
Mrs. Claussen, who Is trying to have
Mr.. Swami. Mr.. Whitman and many
others confined in the Bastile for high
crimes and misdemeanors. went to the
hearing with her attorney. Louis Cohen.
Mr.. Cohen said that II Mr.. Swami got
$4,000 he might want $500. 900 later on.
He suspected "a nigger in the woodpiIe"
and asked to have him dragged out He
said the appropriation could wait
while. as the Legislature was going TO
send q smelling committee" to New
MIS-. OlHusscn. Wnen the hearing
went against her. said she would get an
Injunction.
Justice George v. Muilan said in the
Supreme Court in The Bronx yesterday
that he would send 20 Gov. Whitman a
transcript Of the testimony taken before
him IN the divorce case of William
Schwenk OF 2s3 East 167th street against
Mrs Schwenk. The star witness was
Detective Sergeant Joseph J. OLeary of
the East Jrifty-first street station. The
Justice said OF him
Tn my opinion this policeman either
used HIS office for pay or 'pull'--othcr-
wise, without using his shield he would
not have been admitted 70 the house"
OLeary testified that he accompanied
Schwenk and the latter's brother. Gus
tav, to house IN East Sixticth street
where they found Mrs William Schwenk
and Charles Peitler of 401 East Fifty
fifth street. O'Leary said he had beer
invited to 20 because william SchwenlS
had gun and his brother feared he
might used IL. Gustav Schwenk is man
ager OF Hupfels brewery. 161st street
and st. AIMS avenue.
Justice Mullan reserved decision pend
ing further investigation.
'a.'~'.