New-York tribune., 1921-02-05
Evidence of Collusion
i'm Motor 1'hefts OBJ
tanned by Groehl From
Man Awaiting Sentence
Headquarters Aid
Faces Indictment
Member of Hykan's Off
cial Family Reported In
volved i'm Contract Craft

EVioence OF colluslon between ths
police and automobile thieves was
uncovered yesterday by ex-Magis-
trate Frederick j. Groehl, an assist
ant to former Governor Charles S.
Whitman who, as special counsel, is
directing the grand jury investiga-
tion of the Hylan administration.
Judge Groehl said he felt that he
could not discuss the case in detail.
1t was learned, however, that con-
victed automobile thief, awaiting
sentence in the Tombs, has made a
complete confession and that Judge
Groehl has succeeded in getting the
necessary corroboration.
Two members of the Police DEPART
ment are said to be involved in the
new Nphase Of the automobile scandal
Neither of them has been indicted
but one of the them. it is known. has
made overtures to Mr.. Whitman to 90
before the grand jury and tell all he
knows.
Athur NJ. King, former assistant Fed
eral prosecutor, another of the Whit
man aids, refused yesterday 10 tell
anything of the DEVELOPMENTS in the
city contract scandal wfrch, it is said.
probably will lead to member of Hy-
ian's official 4amily.
= Important Witness Missing
One of the most important witnesses
in this investigation has eyaded the
jurisdiction of the grand jury. This
TACT was announced several weeks ago
by The Tribune. 1t was impossible 10
learn yesterday whether or not he il
the much-sought missing link" but
1t is known that Mr.. King is exertina
every effort to locate him.
Governor Whitman, who went before
the grand jury yesterday with John s.
bile squad, and several other witnesses
said he was completely satisfied with
the result of the inquiry to date.
onot1cially it was reported through
out the Criminal Courts Building thai
by Wednesday Or Thursday of next
week Mr.. Whitman would seek the in..
dlctment for grand larceny of a police
official of high rank on evidence which
mas been prepared and is now being
whipped into shape by Assistant Dis
trict Attorney James E. Smith.
William Chilvers, another OF tha
Whitman assistants, examined a num-
Der Of witnesses in the alleged collu-
sion between certain high police off.
cials and bootleggers. While he main
tanned a sphinx-like attitude when
questioned, it was learned that he had
received evidence which proved that
many of the witnesses ne has examined
IN the last few days have been with
holding valuable information which
Mr. Chiivers feels they possess.
Armstrong Granted Immunity
For the first time since the Becker
case, in which Mr. Whitman appeared
as prosecutor, stipulation of i'm
munity, pledging freedom from prose-
cution, was granted yesterday to John
). Armstrong, who, after night In
jail Tor contempt of court, agreed to
tell the grand jury and Mr.. Whitmax
what they wanted to know.
The confession of a convicted auto
mobile thief, in which he is said TO
have implicated policemen, and the cor.
roboration furnished by men suggested
by the thief proved to be the sensa-
tlon of the day. This man, whose name
is withheld, told Judge Groehl, it is
steal cars, notify the policemen with
whom he operated and get his division
of the spoils.
One of the men involved has been
known for weeks to be willing to con-
fess, but Mr.. Whitman, it is said, de-
liberately has held him off awaiting
the developments of yesterday. He is
said to be well connected at Head
quarters.
While Mr.. Groehl was at work com
pleting his case Mr.. Whitman and AS
before the grand jury with Armstrong
and several insurance adjusters. Wit
nesses summoned, but not called, were
two former members of the automobile
squad, Thomas O'Connor and John
Neun. Neun, then acting as chauffeur
for Mayor Mitchell, saved the chief ex-
ecutive's life when a maniac fired sew
eral shots at him in City Hall Park.
At that time Frank L. Polk, Corpora
tion. Counsel and afterward Assistant
Secretary of State, was wounded.
High Official Used Stolen Car
The indictment of the Police Head
quarters official expected next week
will be based, it is reported, on the
fact that for months RS used a stolen
$4,000 car, which he knew had been
stolen. The charge against him, it IS
expected, will be grand larceny.
Meier Steinbrink, special counsel to
the Board of Estimates inquiry into
city contracts, held long conferences
yesterday with Arthur NJ. King, who
has been assigned TO the investigation
of tips turned over to Mr.. Whitman
by Mr.. Steinorink. Marvin Scudder, a
certified public accountant associated
with Mr. Steinbrink and now assisting
Mr.. King, was ct the conference.
Mr.. King made it clear yesterday
that he's had never admitted that q
member of the Board of Estimate had
been implicated in the case. Tho
Tribune yesterday morning said that
he did. This stetement wns an error.
Yesterdays developments indicate
shat The Tribune.s information was
correct.
Mr.. King examined number of VIE
/ nesses and EXPRESSED himself as highly
rleased with the result Of the in~ssti-
CATION to date. He did admit that ono
of his important witnesses Was stfii
mlsslnT, Who- Re vas told that Thu