The New York herald., 1921-09-03
HYLAN ORDERS RIVAL
CITY BRIBE inquiry
Starts Hirshfield on Exam
inati0n of 4, 1876 Police and
Fire Appointees.
WILL GO BACK TO 1918
Mayor Plans to Head Off or
Hinder Meyer Probe Into
Purchase of Positions.
O'MALLEY STICKS TO JOB
District Attorney Is Getting
Ready to Give Graft Evi-
dcnce to Grand Jury.
O'MALLEY STICKS TO JOB

Mayor Hylan yesterday directed that
during his term in Office be questioned
regarding rumors that some of their
number had paid money to politicians
TO obtain their positions. The investi-
cation began when more than 500 po-
licemen were ordered by Commissioner
Enright to report yesterday at the
Sixty ninth Regiment Armory 10 an
swer queries.
This move was regarded as another
enort by the Hylan administration TO
anticipate and discount the Meyer
committees investigation into city af-
fairs. Several policemen and firemen
have been summoned before sub-com-
mittees of the Meyer committee to
state whether it was true they had
been compelled to seek Tammany in
fluence to get on the city forces.
One of those called was Edward
MeKenna of Engine Company 2o9.
Brooklyn. He reported to Fire Com
missioner brennan that he had been
asked if he had paid money TO any one
appointment. The Commissioner sent
the report to the Mayor and Mr.. Hylan
ordered the Commissioner of Accounts
TO make a thorough investigation.
BuncEes of 500 to Appear.
There are 2.4O0 policemen and 1.736
firemen who have been appointed since
January ]. 1918, when the Mayor took
office. They are to be questioned in
companies of 800 day. Each man will
be asked whether he used influence or
paid money to get his job and then
asked to sign a statement ON the sub
ject.. In addition each will receive an
affidavit to fill out and sign.
The Mayors order was a complete
surprise to the Meyer committee as
well a. to city officials. This sudden
activity is not the first move made
by the Hylan administration TO discount
the Forthcoming inquiry into the Police
Department. All inspectors of the de-
partment were called into conference
with Chief Inspector William ]. Lahey
Thursday afternoon What occurred
there was not disclosed. excepting that
part or the discussion related to prohibi-
ton enforcement.
City Hall was excited for a short time
again yesterday by report that Edwin
!. O'Maliey Commissioner of Markets,
missioner said:
Certainly not nothing to it. Why
should / resign?'
In spite of his statement. however,
the report was heard frequently during
the afternoon that pressure was being
used to force the Commissioner to quit.
The Mayor was silent on the subject.
He has made no comment on Mr..
OMalley's conduct since the latter
bolted the witness stand before the
Meyer committee on Wednesday and
refused to submit TO cross-examination
regarding the management of his de-
partment and the grating charges
made against employees.
Smith Is Again Witness.
David Hirshfield Commissioner of
Accounts. continued making his star
Ting revelations" regarding the official
conduct of members of the Meyer COM
mittee. He again took testimony from
Raymond Smith. a food investigator
who has es= assailing the committee
Mr.. Smith vent back TO 1904 when
he said Elon h Brown. now counsel to
the Meyer committee. procured an ap-
preparation from the Legislature OF 500
for Charles NJ. Morrison for services
rendered as an employee OF the Senate
Later. when it was shown that Morri-
son had done no work for the State.
Mr.. Brown returned the 500 and had
Morrison's name stricken from the pay
roll. Hirshfield said he was not much
impressed" witt this ancient history.
At the office OF District Attorney
Swami 1t WAS said that the evidence
being turned over by .he Meyer COM
mittas for criminal Investigation would
be sifted and arranged as quickly as
possible fo- rreseDtstjnr 70 the Septem-
ber Grand Jury. Ths Eases probably
viii not be ready 10, another week or
ten days.