The New York herald., 1879-03-06
"ROTTEN AS 1T CAN BE-"

PRESIDENT SMITHS OPINION OF THE POLICE
MUTUAL AID socIETY-sTARTLING DIS
CLOSURES REGARDING ITS MANAGEMENT.
A charge of insubordination and the circulation Of
false rumors regarding him which made by Cap
tain Robbins against Patrolman Panet. Of his COM
mand. while under investigation yesterday led to
remarkable disclosures. The Police Mutual
Aid Society evidently at the bottom of the affair."
and the examination had progressed far before it
became'evident that that organization sadly in
need Of investigation The charges had been
founded on innuendoes alleged to have been thrown
out by Panet about Captain Robbins relations with
tho society, and soon they became secondary mat
ter in the investigation. giving place to the organ
zaton's affairs, which President Smith set about
sitting.
From the testimony of Panet and the captain it ap
pears that the latter was informed that Patrolman
Thomas j. Green, personal friend of his, had been
removed from the Office of precinct treasurer of the
Mutual Aid Society, and Patrolman John j. Morreu
had been appointed in his place. To investigate the
cause Of Green's removal the captain went to the
Office of Sergeant Leferts the president of the
ciety. There he claims he was informed that Green
had been guilty of peculations but settled all claims
the society had upon him. and the Central Office
books had been written up so as to correspond with
ported at the precinct the result of his inquiries
PANEr TURNS INVESTIGATOR.
Panet, however, was not satisfied with this ex-
PLANTATION. and he began investigation his
account which showed that he was not credited in
months This in case Of his death, according to the
organizations rules. would debar his family from
obtaining any OF the advantages guaranteed by
membership. He noticed, too, on examining the
books, that there had been a number of mysterious
erasures and general flavor OF fraud about the
counts. All this led him to believe that Green
had got out OF his difficulty by tampcring with the
figures and that the captain had aided and abetted
him In it.. That he had intmated as much to Ser
geant Buddington he made no denial. which made
the latter's testimony to that effect superhuous
he had repeatedly endeavored to get the books from
the ex-functionary, but that the latter for long
time ayaed hmsslf OF some preseSt p;, TO % wsnhoa
deposed illegal, and again he pleaded that
the books were not thoroughly written up.
INTERESTED SPECTATORS.
At this stage OF the proceedings the rumor which
had got afoat in the Central Office that the Mutual
Aid Societys iuner workings being revealed
brought cluster Of police officials into the Trial
Room. Inspector Dilks came and at once eVinced
profound interest in the proceedings. and Captain
Williams, though he took no part in them was an
attentive listener to the end
TRYING TO PREVENT EXPOSURE.
Patrolman Seibert, old member of the force,
who had been one of committee appointed to in
vestigae the societys affairs stated that pressure
had been exercised the committee to take
ton. any exposure might lead to disruption of
the organization aud in little time all things could
be properly adjusted. He stated that his payments
had not been entered on the books for year.
General Smith, who had conducted the examine
oughy sift the case. this point sent for Sergeant
William H. Lefferts the president. and Patrolman
re nter created OF no little when on
being asked II there was any record kept OF receipts
and disbursements. he answered that he was not
aware of any. On being further piled with ques-
tions he said the president received the reports
from the precinct treasurers. but never had them
entered the books. He stated, too, that the pre-
cinct treasurers remss in sending in their
ports-in fact. were very negligent at times
This drew from General Smith the observation,
That's mild and pleasant way to put it,"
EXPOSURES.
and from him some startling admissions were drawn
of the careless way In which the socetys affairs
conducted. Patrolman Panet's counsel here arose
and made statement which created profound gen-
saton. Not only the police, he said, but men who
did not belong to the force, were made members Of
sessed the rest To subAantiate this he called
Patrolman Anthony Servickert, who testified that no
had been member long before his appointment Oh
When Leffcrts and Butts were questioned about
this they agreed in procaiming their disbelief in
such state Of affairs but an examination of their
books showed that Servckert had been credited with
payments In May. 1877 although he did not become
q member Of the force till July IA. 1877 Reference
was next made to Green's book. in which payment
Of his entered early as March of the same
year.
Sergeant Iefcrts was examined in reference to
the visit which Green and Captain Robbins paid him.
He said that they had come that the socety's
books were written up to correspond with those of
the precinct treasurer He confessed that when
sessments were made the lists and returns not
compared, and he oblivious Of what the
tary did.
why don't you look after the secretary?" queriod
General Smith.
II can't" was the rcjoinder; "rve too much to
do"
''rhcn you ought to resign" blutfy said the Com
missioner. Then. he motioncd Lefferts from tho
stand. he said --"If such things have been going
without our knowledge. and am inclined to believe
they have, you have been discreditably negligent.
This organization TO be rotten as it can be-
You had better take its books to the Commissioners
the superintendent and have suitable person ap-
pointed to examine them.
WHAT INSPECTOR DILKs KNOWS
Inspector Dilks here stated that he had known OF
men in the Sixth precinct whose families had been
denied assistance their death. although IL we'll
known that they had been members of good stand
ing. He said he had several times attempted to ex-
anime the books, but had been denied that privilege
by the president. General Smith ended the proceed
irgs ut this point by expressing himself warmly on
the subject of the socety's rottenness.
The organization came into existence in 1866. when
Its bylaws and constitution were framed. In the
last report the number of members aggregated 2452