New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-07-13
SEEKING no CLOSE vile PLACES.

CAPTAIN MDoNNELL SAYS he CAN AND CAN
NOT Do.
The With Ward auxiliary to the Society
for the Prevention OF Crime about two months de-
termned 10 the suppression OF the dsorderly
houses In Greene and woostersts in the Eighth Pre-
cinct committee consisting Of the Rev. A. H. Mo
ment, OF the Spring Street Presbyterian Church. G. D.
Allen mo 90 Vandam-st Dr. W, L. Forrest OF No 1Gs
sprng-st, and William Waite, OF No. 26 Yandamst was
appointed procure evidence against these houses and
to request police to enforce the law. The result Of
the committees labOrs reported yesterday to the
Society for the Prevention Of Crime which is asked TO
complete the work. The report states that the com
mttee took pains observe the dsOrderly houses re-
ferred to, and found abundant evidence OF their drep
table character In the conduct OF their inmates Az each
house members of the committee addressed from the
windows upon the sidewalks, and the sauallons OF
the such 10 leave no doubt OF their chaT-
acter.
The committee sent the following letter. on June 4, to
Captain Mcdonnell OF the Eighth Precinct;
captain Mcdaniel: We, the undersigned, members
OF the With Ward Auxiliary to the Society for the Pre-
following houses Of Prostitution NOS LIZ iiO IA
and Nos. 90, 100. lO2, 1O4, 1O9 10. III, liz.
IL, ia, ~ Ii6; lI9; I'd l23 ~ d20. ~
We charge that open solicitation carried on, both day
and night by the inmates OF the aforementioned hOusrs
front OF said houses Believing by the rules and
regulations Of the Police Department OF the CITY Of New
York you have power to suppress these places We ask
you to do your duty.
The committee on June 10 called on Captain
Mcdonnell aud presented arguments why the houses
should be closed. IL stated that many
children pass by these houses their way
TO the WoOster-st school, aud cOntami
mated by tho obscene conversations which they
hear going on between men On the street and the
Captain Mcdonnell Is said TO have replied that he
short OF men for patrol duty and that was mpos-
sible him to keep sufficient number OF officers or
the streets 10 stop these solicitations. Inc IN
mates Of the houses kept q sharp lookout for
the police and at sight Of officer they would retreat
in doors and close the wndOw-3huttcrs. To the qucs
ton, "What you do TO suppress these houses T.
Captain Mcdonnell Is said 90 have ANSWERED. that ON one
occasion, when lie solicited from OF the honses
lie entered the place by force and made arrest For
10 pay damages lie had been able TO save little
money, and he did not intend to lose It in suppressing
these houses He Wiling however, 10 put an extra
number OF men duty IN these streets to stop open
The committee visited Captain Mcdonnell again last
Thursday evening, and complained that the nuisance
mad not been abated but was even than before
Captain McDOnucls Is SAID 10 have been that
he had kept three EXTRA patrol In Greene and
WOosersts, and that several arrests had been made
but that the prisoners had obtained release, after
their cOmmientlhrOugh wrts issued by Judges OF the
Supreme Court The committee furnish the Following
The Committeeman you send officers in citizen's
dress to procure evidence and then have warrants Issued
Captain McDonnell-why do you ask me to do that
which you know cannot do You know that the tIst
question lawyer would ask my men would DC VINO
sent you iheIe Inc IopIy MOu9 Dc CaPlan .hsLol.
about McDonnell's latest farce. Besides the Police
Commissioners would not allow me to buy evidence or
| 10 obtain II In that way
The COMMUNICATION we understand you to decline to
/ send your TO obtain evidcnccl
Captain McDonnell-You may 20 and get the evidence,
but will send my TO be laughed az by the law
ycTs Of the court. Then, too, my might get into
at these places, and great cry would be raised
| about the brutality OF the police.
The COmmttee-Haye you DONE then, all you intend
| TO dot
Captain McDonnell-I have dono ali that I can do
all that police captain could dO-in this matter.
The Society for the Prevention OF Crime intends 20
make the failure OF Captain Mcdonnell TO close the dis
reputable houses IN his precinct test ID. j. Whit
ney, counsel the society, said yesterday that
would be left unried TO lind out who respon-
sibe for allowing these houses to exist In defiance OF the
| law. "Tne police captains" he said, "are well ac-
quaned with the character OF such houses aud believe
they have the power 10 close them III the Police COu-
mssiOuefs cannot decide the matter, will bring IL to
the notice Of the Grand Jury. and the removal
| from office Of the persons who are responsible for
neglect Of duty"