New-York tribune., 1922-03-24
to Sign
Lahey Bill for
Defense Costs
Mayor DenOunces Grand
jury That Indicted Chief
Police Inspector; Attacks
Wallstein for Getting Fees
Sees Hand of Gamblers
Declares That Vicious EIe-
meuts Will Not Be Per.
misted TO Run Department

Mayor lIylan lost no tHme yesterday
In announcing that he would sign the
bill passed by the Legislature author
izing the city to audit and pay the cx-
penscs for the defence Of William J.
Lahey, Chief Inspector of Police, on
charges of alleged acts of omission as
an officer of the Police Department. The
charges grew out of the investigation
conducted by former Governor Whit
man before special grand jury a year
ago, An Indictment was found against
the Inspector, but was later dismissed
The Mayor denounced the grand jury
which found the indictment and charac-
terzcd the Indictment as "malicious"
He also attacked Leonard M. Wallstein
former Commissioner of Accounts, as
the man who was trying to run Lahey
out of the Police Department"
The Mayor intimated that it was the
wee and gambling interests that were
behind the Indictment, and declared
that these interests "have found out
that they cannot run the Police De
partment."
I'm going to sign this bill and
want that. fact understood now" con
tlnued tlaeMayor, and then asked, gen
orally, It any one knew chow much
Wallstein got out Of the Meyer Com
mitee.'
Edward F. Doyle, of the Real Estate
Board, answered that he received S18,-
600, and $4,000 from the Lockwood
committee.
"rwenty-siX thousand dollars" re-
marked the Mayor, land now he's back
at his old game and wants more fees"
Inspector Lahey would not comment
yesterday on the injunction proceed
IIngs brought by William Jay Schcfe-
I'm, chairman OF the Citizens Union, to
remove him from office. Mr.. Scheffc-
Inns application to the Supreme Court,
made Wednesday, was based on the
contention that Lahey had forfeited his
right to membership in the uniformed
force by accepting the post of Second
Deputy Commissioner in 1918. He was
made Deputy Commissioner after
first obtaining from Police Commits
sioncr Enright an extended leave of
absence. After two years as Second
Deputy he resigned returned to thc
force, and was made chief inspector.
lie was captain when the leave was
granted in 1918.
The Mayor had several other bills
before him for consideration which
affect the city. He told those inter
ested IN the measure providing for the
construction OF tunnel under New
ton Greek to Long Island City that he
was going to veto the bill because he
had found that the Department Of
Plant and Structures had the power
to build the tunnel and $1,oo0ooo had
already been set aside for the con-
structlon of a tunnel or bridge. The
Mayor also announced his disapproval
OF bin providing for the classification
of positions in the Civil Service Of the
CITY, declaring that he would appoint
a committee to work out a similar plan
and get the credit instead of giving
i OF the legislature
An act to amend the charter in re-
Iation to the promotion of lieutenants
of police, permitting lieutenant who
has served one year in such grade to
take the examination for captain, was
not objected to by the representatives
of the Civil Service Reform Associa-
ton. The law now compels a lieu
tenant TO serve three years before he
can take the examination for captain
Several police lieutenants spoke in
favor of the bill. The Mayor said he
would give it his careful consideration.