The New York herald., 1921-10-09
CONNOLLY EXPOSES
MYSTERIOUS BOSS
Queens President Tells Sen
ator Meyer He's Banished
. Relic of Old Era of Graft
rs BARRED FROM HALL
Never Got Any Cash in Cam
paigns or in Other Ways
From Phillips.
IS BARRED FROM HALL
POLITICS AS SOLE MOTIVE
Purcell, Star Witness About
Sewer Doodle, Is Manager
of Rival for Office.

Maurice e. Connolly, Borough Presi-
dent Of Queens. sent letter yesterday
to Senator Schuyler M. Meyer, chair
man of the legislative committee in
vestigating New York city affairs In
which he entered a general denial Of
testimony at last weeks hearings OF
the committee to the effect that GER
tain politicians In Queens were reap-
ing big profits. through. manipulation
of borough contracts, and that .sIge
amounts of this money went to the
Borough Presidents election campaign
fund. In his letter Mr.. Connolly COM
plains that an opportunity was re-
fused to hin. to deny the implications
made 5y Thomas F. Purcell, bonding
agent for Queens contracts and
Joseph Sigretto. contractor.
Mr.. Connolly denied any intimate
acquaintance with John M Phillips.
who has been described as the "un-
official" head of the Bureau Of Sewers
and partner Of Sigretto. the con-
tractor, and declared that on the con-
trary he gave orders that Phillips was
to be barred from the borough offices
any time he attempted to exercise any
influence.
Following receipt Of Mr.. Connolly's
letter. Senator Meyer announced that
he would give an opportunity to the
Borough President to testify when the
committee resumes its hearings to-mor-
row morning. It also was arinouncedthat
Police Inspector John F. Dwyer would be
examined in connection with his state
ments against the newspapers and GER
tain individuals some time during the
week.
Connolly Assails mftnesses.
II am taking the liberty Of writing
this letter because of testimony your
committee heard on Thursday and FRI
day, and because Of testimony I would
have given had been allowed to at
either Of the two times sought to pre-
vent versions Of Queens county affairs
to stand on record without immediate
refutation.
You denied me the privilege Of the
witness chair. In the meantime you
have promoted the impression and have
caused 1t to go broadcast that I am In
timately in political fellowship in Queens
with certain disreputable characters who
have long been notorious in the affairs
of this borough.
A.
on were intrenched In power as contrac-
tors and obtainers Of city favors long
before became Borough President. 1
came to the head of this borough, in
fact by driving them from power, both
in the Queens government and in the po-,
litical organization with which / have
been associated.
John M. Phillips, for instance, with
whom your associate counsel. Samuel
Berger. suggested In questions to a wit
ness, had been in intimate conversa-
ton with at City Hall, was never in
conversation with me there. More than
that, he has never been In intimate con-
with me anywhere. And his
political career during the administra-
tion preceding the overturn of Queens
affairs that brought me into office. was
one / spared no opportunity at any
time to lay bare and publish for the
benefit OF all decent citizens.
"Heais not member of any organiza-
ton. political or otherwise. with me
up as my political confident and friend,
he has actively worked Tor my oppo-
nents in every election since / became
Borough President.
1T cannot be that your committee,
either In its membership or through
i.s staff Of counsel, knows anything
of Queens affairs or you would not
attempt thing so palpably foolish and
contrary to the most widely known Of
local facts.
= Ordered Phillips Bnnished.
Far from giving him space in Bor-
cugh Hall. and a desk. my engineer
in charge of the Sewer Department has
lad orders TO put him out of the Hail
at any time he might be seen lettering
about or trying to show himself rs
a person Of any influence whatever. And
Capt. Rice, the engineer In such chargs.
will testify that he has acted In con-
formity with those orders.
Now. when your committee several
days ago heard testimony from Police
Inspector rejecting on the integrity and
honor of prominent Republicans. such as
Senator Lockwood and former Senator
Murphy OF Brooklyn, what did you do?
Your counsel Immediately threw the
testimony of the Police Inspector back
upon him, repudiating him and praising
the assailed Republicans. More than
that, you called Republican Senator
Lockwood before you and also Republi.
can ex-senator Murphy and spread upon
your record their full defence and ex-
NIn M n
II was present in the Aldermanic
Chamber when / heard your counsel by
scores Of leading and insinuating ques-
tions seek to lead witnesses into pic
turing Phillips as my friend and con-