The New York herald., 1921-02-24
SIX MEN UNDER FIRE
Two Detective Sergeants
Called, but One Takes
Lawyer With Him.
MURDER TRIAL OF , COPS
Ex-Governor to Conduct Pros
ecution Against Alleged Stay
ers of Boy in 1918.

After an apparently quiet week
spent by Ex-Gov Whitman in pre-
pairing for a fresh attack on the Po-
lice Department. he will reappear be-
fore the Grand Jury to-day with q
programme which may produce six
indictments. One of the men under
fire is Of higher rank than any of
those heretofore charged with crime.
He is, in fact one of the administra-
tive figures at Headquarters.
The indictment of some mysterious
"higher up" has been vainly predicted
so often in the gossip of the Criminal
Courts Building that the term lends
itself to jesting. But the reticence ~
Mr. Whitman when questioned yester
day about his intentions was taken As
a sign that he contemplated a bold
stroke. He merely admitted that he
would present evidence TO the Grand
Jury in several cases, and said that If
the time was too short to finish this
to-day the jury would sit again to-
morrow The most important case
may not be reached until tomorrow.
Should the jury move more quickly
and clear the deck to-day it will re-
port TO Judge Grain in General Ses-
sf0ns about 4 o'clock.
Evidence warranting the charge of
grand larceny against two members OF
the automobile squad. already under in
dictment on the charge OF accepting un-
90 -tnIa
automobile, is likely to be presented to-
day. Several other members of the
eouad are under fire.
Testimony regarding Frank Moran.
otherwise Thomas O'Brien, probably will
be heard by the Grand Jury to-day. He
is under $4,000 ball. charged with
bringing a stolen automobile into the
State He was held on Monday by Mag
istrate Mancuso for the Grand Jury.
Frederick ]. Groehl one of Mr. Whit
mans assistants. said that 20 Brten'
had signed an affidavit relating his
dealings with three members of the
automobile squad.
The District Attorneys office yester-
day afternoon telephoned Police Head
quarters that Joab II. Banton. Mr..
Swann's chief assistant, wanted TO see
Detective Sergeants McCaddin and To-
ner of the automobile squad. They ar
rived outside Mr. Banton's office about
p NJ. and were told that the man they
were TO talk with was Mr.. Whitman
Sergeant McCaddin went into Mr.. Whit
mans office and stayed about three
quarters OF an hour. Sergeant Toney
left the building. At 80 p. NJ. he re-
turned, accompanied by Louis Fridiger
n lawyer.
II understand that Mr. Banton wants
20 speak to my client, Detective Ser
-. A.
attendant told him that Sergeant Toner
was to see Mr.. Whitman. not Mr.. Ban
ton.
HE was directed to come here to talk
with Mr. Banton" said Mr.. Fridiger
eff Mr.. Banton doesn't want TO see him
ne is going away" Mr.. Fridiger and
Sergeant Toner left the building. Nc
Caddin and Toner are paired as part
ners in the work OF the automobile
squad Mr.. Whitman would not tell
what he wanted to see them about.
The murder trial OF Patrolmen Cor
nelius j. Flood and Robert A. O'Brien
charged in an indictment obtained by
Mr.. Whitman with shooting a boy.
James Cushing on "A West Fiftieth
street roof in 1918, is set before Judge
Grain to-day. Mr.. Whitman said he
would be ready 10 proceed. but thought
the trial would be postponed TO Monday
because William j. Fallon. the patrol
snen's counsel has been busy with the
defence OF William II. Chapman. one of
John T. Hettrick's codefendants. In the
Supreme Court. Mr.. Whitman will have
personal charge of the peoples case in
the trial If II goes on to-day Assistant
District Attorney James r. Smith Will
handle the police cases before the Grand
JURY.
witnesses have been subpenaed by
the Grand Jury to appear to-day and
testify regarding pier leases, but this
phase may not be reached this week
william ChIlvers OF Mr.. Whitman's stafr
has been investigating this matter