New-York tribune., 1921-02-17
Nv l1itrr1arn Gets
Death Threats:
Now Guarded
Groehl, Also Recipient of
Warming Letters, Leaves
Criminal Courts Accom-
panied by Two Detectives
Trail to Swann's Office
More Leads Said to Involve
the District Attorneys
Aids in Police Graft

Heavily armed detectives have been
assigned as bodyguards to former Gov
ernor Charles S. Whitman and ex-Mag~
istrate Frederick ]. Groehl, one of his
aids in the investigation of the Hylan
administration, it became known last
night, after the receipt of a number of
letters threatening the lives of the two
men.
Mr.. Whitman has received eleven let
ters and Mr.. Groehl four, in which the
writer's announced that they had de-
cided to kill them because of their ac-
tivities against the city administra-
tion. All the threats have been re-
ceived since last Sunday, when the
first of series of articles attacking
Whitman and Groehl regarding the
Becker case appeared in morning
newspaper.
Threats are tiresome. have been
receiving them so long that they have
become monotonous," was the only
comment Mr.. Whitman would make last
night. Mr.. Groeh1 grinned and NUT
tered: "Old stuff" when asked about
the letters.
However, it became known that
when Mr.. Whitman and Mr.. Groehl
left the Criminal Courts Building last
night they were accompanied by two
detectives, who were more than usual
ly we'll armed. Each carried two re-
volvers and belt containing a large
amount of ammunition.
Whitman Opposes Detectives Plea
Governor Whitman had successful
day yesterday. He personally argued
against the application of Detective
Sergeants Marty Owens and Thomas
Horan for an inspection of the grand
jury minutes upon which their indict-
mept was predicated and Judge Grain
reserved decision. This action is taken
as an indication that the application
will be denied.
WILLIAM Chilvers, one of the Whit
man aidss while confined to his home
with heavy cold interviewed several
witnesses in the alleged Dock Depart
ment scandal.
The grand jury will convene at 2:30
o'clock this afternoon, and Mr.. Whit
man is expected to take up with it
the matter of certain Fire Department
officials who authorized the retirement
Of fremen before the time fixed by law
Inquiry Leads to Swann's Office
The grand jury also is expected to
take up again the murder of sixteen
year-old James Gushing in 1918, for
which two policemen will be tried for
first degree murder February 3d. 1t is
more than likely that an Indictment
may be returned against a member of
District Attorney Swann's staff in con-
nection with the same case.
1t became known yesterday that MIR.
h two ia OF
ing more and more into the office of
Judge Swami. This is known to be EN-
barrassing, as Mr.. Whitman's sole right
to conduct the present investigation is
through appointment as special counsel
and Assistant District Attorney given
him by Swami.
MIR. Whitman refused to discuss this
phase of the investigation in any way.
Judge Groehl paid visit to patient
in Bellevue Hospital last night, accom-
panied by Detectives Thomas and
Reith, of the District Attorneys staff
The name of the patient was withheld
by Groehl after an hours conference,
but it was learned that the man had
given valuable information regarding
the police automobile scandal.
Judge Groehl during the afternoon
had before him several witnesses in
the auto scandal. Last night it was
odla SiiaD Ilul5PuVoDlc Ol
collusion between the police and auto
thieves, which developed after the ar.
rsst early Sunday of Robert O'Brien
had been brought out. Just when the
matter will be presented to the grand
jury could not be learned.
Estimate Board Seeks Witness
ARTHUR M. King, handling the Whit.
man investigation into alleged graft IL
Queens County contracts made by the
city, evinced lively interest in the
Board of Estimate hearing yesterda,
when it developed that several member,
Of the board were apparently making
strenuous effort to learn the where
sbouts of his star witness. He saic
that Governor Whitman and he Nigh
have an interesting statement to max,
to-day.
When Mr.. Whitman appeared il