New-York tribune., 1922-09-19
Market Inquiry
Now Approved
By Hirsllfield
Commissioners of Accounts
Retracts Charge That
Brooklyn Grand Jury
Works for Political Effect
Shifts After Testifying
Asked for Evidence Involy-
ing Nathan Finkelstein.
Chief of pushcart Men
Bv NJ. lay Racusin

Commissioner of Accounts Hirsh-
st,,a who, with Mayor Hylan and Com
-,ssioner of Markets o'Malley. at
.,.ked the Brooklyn Grand Jury in
yestigation of street markets as politi-
al rIsv. has been convinced that this
= "a. so. He admitted 1t himself
.sssr his appearance as the star Wit
ssss hefore the investigating body yes
Tbsre was no learning, however,
-shs& Il was that brought about this
snSaen change of opinion. The Com
,-Issierer had been subpeenaed to pro-
srfs transcript of the testimony OF
ena Isido7t Moscowitz, who made cer-
tain reflections upon Nathan Finkel-
stein. the head Of the Brooklyn ped
4iers' csgsnization.
BesoYs entering the hearing ehambe,
ths Commissioner repeated his steree-
typed statement that tne inquiry was
prompted by political considerations
and that District Attorney Ruston and
his assistant, Edward g. ONeill. were
Insincere in its conduct.
he emerged from the grand fury
room In cheerful humor and with
broad smile.
Il srn inclined to think that after
oil this investigation is on the level"
se remarked, "Sincc the members os
the grand jury have ali the facts, am
convinced they will do the right thing,
had a fine talk with them ard the
showed me they are not playing politice
and mean to do what is right"
"Dfd you sign waiver Of Immunity ?n
lie was asked.
Did you see my statement of last
Saturday ~ he replied. "You know that
! said would not sign waiver OF i'm
munity from prosecution. 1t shouldn't
be any news"
Later the Commissioner added that
the grand jury seemed TO have called
him before it mainly for the purpose
u assuring him that the inquiry was
not actuatod by politics. 81 told the
|urymen," said MIR. HirshHeld, "that I
was very glad 20 learn they were not
playing politics, but, of course, their
report of the investigation would shoy;
eonelusively whether they were or not"
The Commissioner is to continue his
svn inquiry at 10 O'Clock this morning,
when Nathan Finkelstein, the Brooklyn
psddler leader attacked by Moscowitz,
IS to appear as E witness,
Despite the disclosure Of graft col
isctions by present supervisors in the
pusheart markets, the sams super
qiors, political henchmen Of the Hylan
administration and appointees of COM
missioner Edwin J. O'MalIey, of tbs
Department Of Public Markets, will re-
ain their present positions for at least
SIX months longer. II was learned yes
tsrdAg that Commissioner O'Malley in
tended TO appoint the same supervisors
under the appropriation made last week
BY thc Board Of Estimate for such
pstes.
Over the objections of the majority
Of the pushcsrt peddlers l. these mar
kets, who have to pay 81 week to the
supervisors for their stands, these su-
peryisors will continue to exact the
weekly tribute, Anything collected
over the $4,000 salary for the position.
however. fixed by the Board of Esti-
nate. will have to be turned over to
the sinking fund of the city by the re-
cent order Of the court.
No civil service examination FOR
these positions has yet been held, al
though there are over 1000 appGca-
tons for the Jobs now before the COM
mission. 1t was said at the office OF
shs commission yesterday that the ex-
animation probably would be held some
time within the next month, but it was
explained that 1t would take from four
70 six months to read the examination
papers and make the proper classitica-
TONS for the elegibie list This
means that the reappolntees Of Com
missioner O'Malley will have at least
six months tenure of office ahead of
them before competitors in the civil
service examinations can possibly force
them out