The New York herald., 1922-11-25
HIRSHFIELD BALKS
MARKET WITNESSES
Tells Mrs. Laidlaw She's a Dis
turber When She Mentions
Persecution.
QUASHES LAWYERS PLEA
Inquiry on Food Spectators
Opens in Atmosphere OF
Mutual Suspicion.

David Hirshfield, COMMISSIONS OF Ac-
counts, began an investigation yester-
day to ascertain If food jobhers and
SPECTATORS control Gonsevoort and Wal
Q labout markets. as charged by the New
York Market Growers Association.
Twenty-Five farmers and half dozen
women appeared to support t3le COM
plant. but found the Commissioner un-
sympathetic and suspicious.
II am informed you are here for the
purpose OF making newspaper stories."
ne said to NJ. L. Ernst, counsel for the
association.
That's not true said Mr. Ernst.
''We've complained of these conditions
for three months"
We'll, then, ST down." said Mr..
Hirshfield.
Mr. Ernst wanted to finish what he
had TO say.
q special policeman. Tell that lawyer to
sit down. Tell him to sit over there by
the door,
Mr.. Ernst sat down. A few minutes
later. however. he attempted to speak
again.
Put that man out of the room where
he will behave himself commanded Mr.
Hirshfield.
When Ernst had been eliminated Mr..
IIirshfield called Mrs. James Lees Laid
law. The following is the substance of
her examination.
@. (by Hirshfield) Who do you rep
resent?
A. The living cost committee of the
League Of Women Voters, about 1,0o0,-
600 women.
Q. Did you go and see these mar
Lets?
A. I did
Q. How did you see them?
A We visited the markets and talked
70 the market men.
Q. Who invited you to go?
A. The New York Market Growers
Association.
That ended the testimony for the mo-
nent. Later Mrs. Laidlaw asked per-
mission to speak again.
Can ask you question ?' she said
II have to leave and 1 want to make a
report to my organization. All get
from this Is one thing-that your oppo-
sition amounts almost to persecution of
the New York Market Growers Associa-
uon."
Have you been told to say that by
that lawyer outsider" asked Mr.. Hirsh-
field.
NO" said Mrs. Laidlaw
WELL" said the Commissioner 'I'm
satisiied you're here as IA disturber and
not as a helper, and you can go back
and tell that to your club"
Mrs. Laidlaw left. giving M-. Hirsh-
field the last word.
Mrs. Frederick Hodgson. president OF
the Women's Municipal League. Mrs
Thomas Rambeau, representing the
Women's University Club. and Mrs j. L.
kraus were quizzed and dismissed
Then the Commissioner summoned a
friendly witness named Fred Merge, n
farmer OF jamaica who said he was
not a member OF the association, but
that he thought spectators were n good
thing In the market because they made
1t possible for a farmer to sell his pro-
duce quickly
1t developed later that Merge never
had been required TO pay fee to tho
city for a stall. as most farmers must
do before they can sell their goods.
William Aussenried, also friendly
witness, Joined Merge In defending the
speculators
encouraging him, "if there were no Job
bers or specula tors the people of New
York city would have to starve to death
Isn't that so?"
Yes. sir, replied the witness.
This caused an exclamation from Mr.
Ernst that resulted In his election.
The last witness was e. v. Titus,
president OF the association.
After u few questions Mr.. Hirshfield
told him to come back in two weeks
with a program and we'll put IL through
81 it's anything to help the farmers"
The. investigation was adjourned until
tyn wcpka from yaqterdav