The New York herald., 1921-02-05
AUTOMOBILE THIEF
in TOMBS BETRAYS
COPS TO WHITMAN
Tells Prosecutor He Shared
Rewards With Two Men
of Motor Car Squad.
SEWER BRIBERY NEXT
% Checks Involving Per-
sons in Finance and Poll
TICS Are ScrlltlnlZed.
NEW INDICTMENTS SURE
Scandals in Civic Government
Are Spreading Now to
Kings and Queens.

The case which Charles S. Whitman
is building up against members of the
Police Department in relation to the
use and disposal Of stolen automobiles
was strengthened yesterday by the
admissions of a thief. This man, now
I'm the Tombs prison, says he stole cars
and by arrangement placed them
where the police could find them, the
idea being that he should share in the
rewards to be paid by insurance COM
panies for their recovery" His story
duplicates at least two members Of
the police automobile squad.
The story was told to one of Mr..
Whitman's assistants, Frederick j.
Groehl, ex-City Magistrate, by a man
who has been convicted of grand
larceny because of one OF his thefts
and Is awaiting sentence. He was ar
rested by a policeman who is not a
member of the automobile squad. His
story, standing alone. would be worth
less, but II was reported without denial
in the Criminal Courts Building yes
terday afternoon that the necessary
corroboration had been obtained by
Mr. Groehl and that the evidence will
be ready for the Grand Jury early next
week
This confession is of special interest
1. f- .f, slAraa II
In Mr.. Whitmans investigation that has
come from outside the Police Depart
ment He has been told by policemen
themselves that certain members of the
automobile squad worked In collusion
with thieves. and now. il yesterdays
confession amounts to as much as the
investigators think II does. this asser-
ton has been double checked and
proved TO be accurate
Mr. Whitman had several witnesses
before the Grand Jury yesterday but
postponed the recommendation of in
dictments until next week.
Boring Into Sewer Contracts.
Publication OF the fact yesterday
morning that the Investigators were now
boring into city sewer contracts. and
that Arthur NJ. King of the Whitman
staff had possession of twenty-five
checks and other evidence which was
expected TO result in the indictment OF
men OF political and financial note dis
turbed both Mr.. Whitman and Mr.. King
The evidence Is regarded as so important
that they refuse to say a thing about II
N ~ of hxy
Grand Jury. 1t relates to contracts In
Queens as well as Kings. One Of the
two principal witnesses for whom Mr.
King has been scouting turned up yes
terday and was examined. The other
is supposed to be in distant State. He
Is said to be the agent Of a company
manufacturing sewer pipe. Mr.. Whit
man said last night:
"I cannot under the present condi-
tions discuss any matter that Mr.. King
is investigating"
John S. Armstrong former member
OF the automobile squad. who admits
that he received rewards for the return
Of stolen cars and has testified twice
before the Grand Jury. received from
Mr.. Whitman yesterday an ironclad stip-
ulation of immunity. These and the
stipulations which Mr.. whitman signed
in order TO obtain the lncriminating
evidence against Lieut. Becker are said
to be the only agreements OF the sort
ever filed In the Court of General Ses-
sions. II was orally agreed to between
MIR. Whitman and Thomas l. Sheridan
Armstrong; counsel. last week and put
into writing and signed yesterday by
Mr. Whitman and District Attorney
Swami with the sanction OF Judge Grain
of General Sessions The essential par
of Il reads
1T is therefore stipulated and agreed
by Charles $. Whitman that John Arm
strong shall not be prosecuted or sub
jected to any penalty or forfeiture for
or on account Of any transaction. matter
or thing concerning which he has testi
fled or may testify or by reason OF anS
testimony. documentary or otherwise
And II is stipulated further that il is tn,
intention Of this stipulation 20 give abso-
lutte Immunity TO John Armstrong or
account OF any transaction concerning
which he has given testimony"