The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-03-15
ACTION SOUGHT
BY PAINTERS ON
CRAFT CHARGES
New Investigation 10 be
Used to Prosecute
By FRED HARRIS.

lnere nave Deel, Up 10 lHe pie~eHt
'AAc, two separate investigations
iaAo the graft charges against Phillip
husner and Charles Koenig, former
officials of the New York District
Council of Painters. Both reports
slow shortage of the treasury
FUNDS, both admit that robberies
have taken place. and yet no legal
action can be taken aginst the cul-
prits until a third investigation has
been made. This is likely to take
about three months but will give the
necessary legal weapon to place into
the hands Of the district attorney,
who viii then be requested to prose-
cute the grafters in court.
Report Shows Shortage.
1t is plain now that it is easier to
catch CRATER than to send him to
Jail. Especially is this true where
the delinguents enjoy the protection
Of high office holders, and are per-
mitted to obstruct a thoro and legal
procedure.
The first investigation referred to
above was made at the request Of
local painters union 905 by the ac-
counting firm Falk, Dvorkin & Co.
The report of this investigation
shows a deficit of $4,000 and
strongly incriminates Phillip Zaus-
ner, secretary; Charles Koenig, fin
ancial secretary; William Hartley,
treasurer; as we'll as the trustees and
the official auditor, as being respon-
sible for misappropriation Of the
council funds.
Report Not Legal.
However, this report was made by
an audit of the councils minutes,
since the official books had been con-
fiscated by the general executive
board and taken with them to In
diana, the headquarters of the broth
erhood. The explanation made for
this action was that headquarters
was going to make a thoro investi-
CATION and needed the books. The
actual reason for moving the books
out Of the state, however, was mo-
tivated by trying to forestall and
prevent an investigation by the in
surgents. Being unable to get the
books, the investigation was made by
the minutes of the meetings. Since
however such an investigation is moi
recognized by the court as legal evil
dence, this report can therefore not
be made used for immediate action.
Doyle Shields Grafters.
The second investigation made b!
Mr.. Doyle at the request of the gen
eral executive board, is incomplete,
but nevertheless finds a shortage OF
$4,000. 1t further demands that the
council agree to settle the case out
side OF the court by accepting 5C
cents on the dollar for the total sun
missing. This report was rejected
by the council as being incomplete
and not acceptable as whole.
Can Not Explain Deposit.
/ Doyle's report stops at the end d
August, when he had instructions to
audit the books up to the date of
Oct. 81. The reason for the sudden
stop is, that during the month OF
September an investigation was al
ready feared by Zausner, Koenig &
/ Co., which promvted them to deposit
during the month Of September the
sum of $4,000 with the treasury O
the council.
Headquarters Submit Books.
A vigorous demand by the major
ity Of local unions for the return oI
the councils books has now compelle,
headquarters to comply with the re.
quest, and will enable not only al
investigation of not only the last
two years record Of the financia
manipulation but for the period o
the last eight years the total Of tho
Zausner-Koenig regime
III order therefore to bring actiol
into) the prosecution Of the guilty
mens the council has decided to en-
epgel another accountant and t
maIeAa complete official investiga
ton. AThe report of such will ther
be submitted to the district attorney
and 10 start criminal procedure
through The courts. Il is demanded
that the full sum Of stolen funds be
returned, or that, in default Of such,
every one implicated in the graft be
given full punishment, and be sent
"up River.