FLYNN APPOINTMENT

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 104, 27 January 1943, Page 5

FLYNN APPOINTMENT

Charges Of Dishonesty Denied U.S. SENATE INQUIRY (By Telegraph.—Press Assu.—Copyright.) WASHINGTON, January 25. The Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate has heard the evidence on the allegation that Mr. Edward Flynn, who has been appointed Ambassador to Australia, is not a fit person for the appointment, having had city-owned paving blocks used on bis estate. Decision is deferred.

Though his opponents are still hopeful that enough Democrats can be swung from the administration lo block Mr. Flynn’s confirmation, indications tonight' are that lie wilt be successful when the appointment reaches the Senate, probably b.v February 1. Ibe ‘•Herald-Tribune'’ says most political observers are willing to bet that the committee will vote confirmation of the appointment. Robert Moran, former public works commissioner for the, Bronx, said there was untiling wrong witli the arrangement by which city employees laid paving blocks in tlie courtyard of .Mr. Flynn's Lake Mahopac estate. In October, 1941, lie said, Mr. Flynn told him he wanted it parking lot at Lake Mahopac, filled wita granite blocks and asked him to consulL in his spare time with Mrs. Haas, who was landscaping on the estate. '.Mr. Flynn asked me to get a private contractor to do the work and also to see he wasn’t overcharged. It was customary for me to advise taxpayers who hail problems about their property. The materials were hauled in private trucks, and city employees laid Hie blocks, working in their own lime, and were paid by Mr. Flynn.” He milled that when Mr. Kern began the investigation, he supplied all tlie data lie wanted, because* lie knew there was nothing wrong. Fred Dennerlein. foreman of one paving-block gang, told him he would get the blocks from’ some dump if Moran arranged for the trucks, which he did, nt it cost ot 17 dollars a load. If he had wanted to lie dishonest, there were 30 city trucks available. He had engaged private trucks in order Hint Mr. Flynn and lie would not. be involved. He said lie had no, been sponsored by Mr. Flynn during hi.years of public service. He owed nothing to him and sought nothing from him. Mrs. Haas was charged approximately 300 dollars for the work, plus 404 dollars for tlie cost of trucking. “No Place for Honest Man.”

Mr. Moran said he had retired on a pension because the paving-block investigations had caused himself and his fant?ly great distress and embarrassment. Polities in New York was at present not a place for an honest man. Concerning Mr. Harland's charge that lie acted as major-domo lor Mr. Flynn and was responsible for the use ot city materials and labour on Mr. Flynn's job, Mr. Moran, who is an elderly wliite-lui’ireil man. said : "Gentlemen, I can take it on the cilia. but not below Hie belt.” < 'liallengmg .Mr. Kern's statement that the parking lot was "an anliqne Belgian courtyard,” lie said it was not even a paving job. Old granite paving blocks were such a drug on the market iii New York that contractors “heaved lliem into tlie river when the cops were not looking.” He claimed that Dennerlein admitted that tlie paving blocks came from a tip yard. Demierlein was entirely responsible for using city-owned caiw to take workmen io Mr. Flynn’s estate. Mr. Flynn would occasionally ask for a city-owned ear lo drive him home or to a hotel, bill before Hie gaso line and lyre shortage liial was a common practice. City-owned cars were frequently seen at political meetings and even' at. race tracks. Mr. Flynn, testifying on Ins own hc- ■ half, 'denied all the charges. He assured

Hie committee that he would not have allowed President Roosevelt to appoint him laid there been anything dishonest iii his past. Tim chairman, Senator Connolly, announced that the committee would vote on Wetlnestlny on the question of recommending confirmation of Hie nomina-

tion. The "New York Times” reports a <*aiInp poll on lhe question, "Do yon approve or disapprove Hie appointment ,pl Mr. Flynn ns Minister lo Australia?' 'I he result is: Dissa prove, 52 per cent.; approve 21 per eent.: undecided, 27 per cent.