New-York tribune., 1921-01-21
Ex-Governor Goes Ahead
With Inquiry as Swami
Faces an Open Break
With Murphy andHearst
$780, 900 Fund for
Probe Up To-day
Estimate Board Expect.
ed to Act Favorably, but
Aldermen May Block 1t

While politicians squabbled over his
inquiry, Charles S. Whitman, formerly
GoverIfor, who is directing the grand
jury investigation into the Hylan ad-
mlnistration, yesterday went on with
the work of assembling evidence to be
presented to the jury
Mr.. Whitman will not 20 before the
grand jury to-day as he had planned
He will, however, be ready to outline
several cases Monday and it is ex-
pected several indictments will result
The political situation which has
been injected into the investigation
may prove embarrassing. Whitman
has decided to ignore it, but District
Attorney Swami finds himself in a
position where if he continues to stand
back of Whitman, his appointee, he
will ALLEVIATE the support of Tammany
Hall. He has already lost favor with
William Randolph Hearst, who has
been his booster for years.
Appropriation Up To-day
Another matter of grave Importance
to the Whitman investigation is the
appropriation to carry on the work
The Board Of Estimate at its meeting
to-day will have before it request by
Mr.. Swami for $4,000 to conduct the
grand jury inquiry. 1t is believed in
the Criminal Courts Building that the
appropriation will be killed by the
Board of Aldermen.
In that event the investigation, un-
less supported from private sources
will stop automatically and it will be
necessary for Mr.. Whitman to call
upon the Legislature and Governor
Miller for assistance in the form of a
Legislative investigation of the city
administration.
Arthur NJ. King, one of MIR. Whit.
the examination of a witness mentioned
during the recent interview between
Mr.. King, Mr.. Whitman and Meie,
Steinbrink, special counsel to the Board
Of Estimate in its investigation of city
contracts. Mr.. King said last night
that until he had examined another wit
ness under subpwna-he is said to be
the mysterious ".Mr. Harrington" who
appeared at the Criminal Courts Build
ing on Wednesday-he would not dis
cuss the case.
Assistant District Attorney James E
Smith, asked about his investigation
of the alleged police graft in stolen
automobile cases, rubbed his hands
grinned broadly and.said:
otis going better than I thought. il
would. Well have five or six of them
within few days"
BY "them" it is assumed that he
mean detectives.
Denies Wall Street Story
The stories appearing in the after
noon papers and credited to Mr.. Whit
man, to the effect that he had discov-
cred evidence concerning a high police
official who was wiped out" in Wall
Street, were fatty denied by the prose
cutor last night. He said he was not
interested in the stock market activity
Of any police official, unless it was be-
lieved that he was operating on money
illegally received. He had had no in.
timation of such case, he added.
Mr.. Swami was questioned yesterday
concerning the exclusive Tribune story
OF yesterday morning describing =
break between Swami on the one hand
and Tammany Hall, Hylan and Hearst
on the other
"Is it true that you have broken with
Tammany Hall?" he was asked.
"This is the Office of the District At.
torney and must decline to. discuss
politics here" he said. II must refer
you for that information to the man
who wrote The Tribune story this
morning"
"Is it true that you plan radical
changes in the personnel of your staff
of assstants?" was the next query.
Il don't contemplate such action,
was the reply.
"Are the relations between you and
Mayor Hylan as cordial as before you
appointed Mr.. Whitman?" he was
asked.
"As far as Pm concerned, yes. I al
ways want to cooperate and have the
cooperation of city, county and state
officials" Mr.. Swami said.
Can't Explain Hearst Attitude
"What pressure has been brought to
bear upon you to stop the Whitman in
vestigation?" he then was asked.
"None. No one would dare think OF
making such request of me.
Mr.. Swami left his chair and gazed
out of the window for moment when
asked if he had an explanation of the
change in attitude toward him by the
Hearst newspapers. On Wednesday
both Hearst papers here made vicious
attacks editorially upon Mr.. Swami.
II can't explain it. I don't know
what prompted it. l don't know the
(Centinued on exso sIx)