Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-16
ROOSEVELT NEARS
TAMMANY BREAK
Governors Call for Extra
Legislature Session
Causes Rift.
Continued From First page)


Tuesday, August as. Gov Roosevelt de-
clared he felt the chief executive OF
the State should in no way hamper the
investigation which was authorized by
. Republican controlled Legislature.
The need for broadening the powers
of the committee. II 1t Is to continue to
function as it has in the past, resulted
from a ruling of the Court of Appeals
last Monday that the committee did
not have the power Of granting general
immunity.
At the same time it was decided that
the inquiry board had the power to
grant immunity to DR.. William F. Doyle,
former Fire Department veterinary, for
his response 70 question as to whether
he bribed any public official during
his lucrative practice before the city
Board Of Standards and Appeals.
Again Denies Bribery.
DR.. Doyle had been in prison serv-
ing q 3O-day sentence imposed when
he was adjudged in contempt of court
for refusing to answer. Friday ne
appeared before the committee and
again was asked:
did you bribe any puDlic official
In connection with your practice before
the Board of Standards and Appeals?"
It was while he was practictng be-
fore this board that DR.. Doyle allegedly
collected more than $2,0O0,000 in fees.
In reply to the question he denied
he had been guilty of bribery. The
committee voted he was still in con-
tempt, Seabury declaring that "a man
does not purge himself of contempt
BY committing perjury"
A Supreme Court justice, however
ruled that DR.. Doyle had cleared him
self Of the contempt charge and the
commissions only recourse against him
was to file a charge Of perjury against
hirn. Seabury filed notice he will APP
peal that decision and asked for a
stay of the release of DR.. Doyle. 1t
WIS granted and then the horse doctor
was ordered released in $4,000 bail.
Shortly before noon yesterday he re-
quired bond was presented and DR..
Doyle walked out of Jail q free man
for the first time in 90 days. AS he
left the prison and reporters sought to
question him. he turned TO his bonds
men and said:
TEL EN- nothing. It's none Of their
business"
His counsel, Samuel Falk, said he
hoped the Legislature would give the
Hofstadter Committee power TO grant
general immunity. He refused to am
pity that statement, but It was taken
IN some quarters to indicate that pr
DOYLE might talk more freely before the
inquiry board If he we're certain he
would not face later prosecution.
DR.. Doyle's expressed opinion that
the committee did not have power to
grant immunity figured in his refusal
to answer questions that had been put
TO him.
Seabury refused last night to tell in
what other ways the committee would
use its power Of immunity II 1t is
granted by the Legislature, but In his
letter to the Governor he made it clear
he thought it might lead to ''construc-
tive changes which viii at least mate
rally limit the possibilities OF corrup-
ton ia the administration of the gov
eminent Of New, York City"
witnesses Fear discrimination.
He said every honest man and woman
In New York State wanted to know
who sanctioned the corrupt system
and who benefited from 1t, and added:
THE chief obstacle now barring
disclosure Is the refusal OF witnesses
to answer on the ground of self-in-
elimination. Yet this privilege against
characterization can be removed by
statute which viii afford immunity to
those witnesses who give pertinent
testimony"
Two years ago, when Gov. Roosevelt
was first being mentioned as 3 possible
presidential candidate, the Republicans
in the Legislature pushed through a
resolution calling upon him to launch
an investigation Of affairs. Political
commentators pointed out that such an
action would have driven a wedge be-
tween the Governor and Tammany,
which controls the Democratic votes Of
New York City.
The Governor vetoed the resolution
and told the Legislature 1t should I'M
dertake the inquiry If it wished one.
This year the Legislature appointed the
Hofstadter Committee. which named as
special counsel Mr.. Seabury. VINO had
been making an investigation Of magis-
trates' courts for the appellate division
of the Supreme Court.
Later. when the Governor was called
upon to consider charges against Mayor
James j. walker, he referred them TO
the mayor for an answer and upon re-
ceiving Walkers reply, declared he
could find no cause for an investigation
Of the mayor.