The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-30
BROOKLYN POLICE INVESTIGATION.

TRIAL OF SUPERINTENDENT FOLK RESUMED
INTERIOR WORKINGS OF THE DEpARTMENr-
MOTION TO DISMISS THE CASE DENIED.
The superintendent OF the Brooklyn Police De-
partment John S. Folk, who was recently sum-
moned to appear for trial on charges and specia-
cations presented against him by Commissioner
John Pyburn was again before the Board Of Com
mssioners at headquarters yesterday. 1t was
long after eleven, however, before Commissioners
Briggs, Hurd and Pyburn TOOK their places on the
bench. The veteran superintendent, accom-
panied by ex-Judge Troy. his counsel, patiently
awaited the time OF commencement. There were
also present Captains Ferry, Mclaughlin, Rhodes,
worth, Leecn, Cornell and Smith, ana large
number OF subordinate officials. As soon the
Commissioners convened
INSPECTOR GEORGE wADDY WAS RECALLED
for cross-examination by the counsel for the Sue
perrin tendent, and being questioned replied that
he had been in active service on the police for
nearly twenty-four years; during all that time,
with the exception Of about two years, he had
known Mr.. Folk to be the executive OF the
Police Department; witness saw Neeyes, the
Englishman who was taken back to London by
Detective Spittas, on Monday morning, in the
ONCE OF superintendent Folk. but did not OF his
own knowledge know where ne went when he left
there; he remembered the robbery of Arthur
Heaney. the Atlantic street pawnbroker; Mr.
Folk was Ill when that case was reported; he was
confined to his house.
Counsellor Troy asked that the Heaney robbery
be dropped from the case so far as MS client Is
concerned, as 1T could not be held that the super
intendent was responsible for what transpired
during his absence and illness.
Commissioner Briggs said certainly the Super
intendent was not responsible for what happened
when he was absent by reason OF Illness.
To wltnesa-Did you superntend the Efforts
mad to arrest the persons supposed to have been
implicated In the murder OF Hartigan or the Long
island Bank robbery or the Shute shooting case3
81 have no personal knowledge OF the Hartigan
murder or tae bank robberyn
MIR. Troy asked what was done by the Supern
tendent toward working up the cases named. To
this the counsel Tor the Board objected on the as
sertion that IL was too general question.
In arguing his point ex-Judge Troy said that
onetnird OF the Court were against his client. II
was only fair TO presume that the executive OF
the department knew what was going In
every section thereof, and he proposed TO show
by the witness
HOW THE SUPERINTENDENT DIRECTED THE OFF,
GERS
in the matter. For the prosecution 1t was con-
tended that the defence must show that by proof
The evidence must be brought out IN proper
order and IN accordance with the rules OF eyi-
dcpce. TO this ex-Judge Troy said that as n
matter OF convenience, counsel had the other day
asserted that there were no rules Of evidence
governing this case.
President Briggs ruled that counsel must con-
which The Superln Lendent is directly connected.
There would be no end to the vestgatlon were
they to admit general questions.
.. Have you any knowledge OF action taken by
the superintendent in the Shute robbery A. Yes,
was present when the superintendent ordered
men to the outskirts and look after the burglar;
for weeks had conversations with him daily
about this matter; the sergeant OF the squad re-
ported TO the superintendent daily on the case /
personally visited the house OF Mr. shute, In com.
pany with President Jordan, who was then on the
Board of Commissioners; the morning Of the as
saut saw Captain Mclaughlin, Of the Ninth pre-
cinct and several OF his men on the premises; the
perntendent.
twenty-four years. experience on the police, OF
the competency of Mr.. Folk as superintendent Of
Q. What is your Judgment about his qualinca-
lions A. think him competent as far as nave
O. Do you think he is still competent9 A. loo.
z. WAT Is his conduct with regard TO attending
Question az stu aomitted A. lie is careful and anE
gent onlcer. believe the Superintendent to De
fearless and honest he does his duty faithfully,
diligently and carefully.
Redlrect-I have been Inspector of Police az
headquarters for nineteen months my duties
are to inspect the station houses; see that they
are clean and In good repair; see that the men
are comfortably provided for; inspect the hooks
and clothes; report TO the superintendent once
q day and then go OF about my business; tho
superintendent told me to 20 to the house OF Mr..
Shute, and went there with the Presidents that
was the only case named IN these specifications
In which the superintendent directed my action.
Q. Did you mean that the Superintendent is a
competent or fearless mann A. | mean both
competent aud iearlcss.
Q. From what you know of Mr.. Folk do you
mean to say that he has 90. ali the qualifications
necessary to constitute
OF police that is from what you know OF police
busness1 A. The superintendent and | have
differed ain many matters but always gave hlm
the benefit OF the doubt; as lar as my oticlal con-
nection with him has goae should say he was.
y. Don't you know that he has very
VIOLENT And PASSIONATE TEMPER
Counsellor TROY object to such a question.
On this examination am sure Mr.. Folk nas dis
played very good temper here.
The question stricken out, much to the
chagrn OF MIR. Barrett.
Commissioner Hurd said the question was
whether he possesses the sRll ana FORCE neces-
sarY for the superintendent OF Police.
Wltness-As far as my connection Win MN as
sergeant, captain and inspector goes, should
think that ne has.
The witness was pressed for his personal opln-
ion, outside Of Official Impressions taking In the
whole knowledge OF the man. the witness said
In some matters they had differed, but he believed
MR.. FOLK WAS GOOD SUPERINTENDENT;
there may have been better; 'l0r instance,r saidf
the Inspector II think John a. Kennedy was a
clio had a wider field In wbch to work,n
chimed Ia ox-Judge Troy ana the Superln Re ndent
smiled.
ding to my ideas, and 1t Is not now.
q, Don't you Know IL was the custom OF the SUI
perlntendent to Keep back cases and to give them
FAvoRTE DETECTIVES
and not to let others of the squad know OF them
tOhectcd TO but ADMITTEDLY
q. ask you now II since June /, 1875 the Super
lntendent has not sent his son and Detective Corr
BILE result could be obtained by them, when he
handed them to Sergeant Frost; and ask IN the
Sergeant has not complained bitterly to you OF tha
matter2
OBJECTED to. That which referred to Sergeant
Frost being eypunged rom the question.
Wltness--l know oil no cases OF my OWE personal
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