New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-03
THREE WILLING WITNESSES.
POLICY DEALERS AND THE POLICE.
SIMMONS, NATHAN AND BERNSTEIN TESTIFY, BUl
GIVE LITTLE INFORMATION.

SIMMONS, NATHAN AND BERNSTEIN TESTIFY, BU1
GIVE LITTLE INFORMATION
The Roosevelt Committee resumed its inves-
gaton OF the Police Department In the Metropolitan
Hotel yesterday The inquiry directed TO ascertain
ing the relations between tho police and the policy deal
ers and three OF the latter, John F. Simmons Jacob L.
Nathan and Daniel ]. Bernstein. were unwilling wit
nesses Chairman Roosevelt, looking fresh, alert AMI
aggressive was first OF the committee on hand He
was soon followed By Messrs. Nelson, irwin and
WEIGH. Ex-Judge Russell watched the proceedings
for the Police Department. Anthony Constock
listened to the testimony with keen interest
Mr. simmons was first called to the witness chair. iIe
Is a Manufactured man, with large bald spot on the
top OF his head gzzei goatee and musache and sleepy
looking eyes, Mr. Roosevelt said that Mr. Simmons had
been recalled give him opportunity to answer or de-
cline to answer certain questions before full committee
that had refused to at the last session. when
there was only a subcommittee in attendance, when
Charles T. Miller the counsel for the committee, pro-
ceeded to PROFOUND the questions Were you present.
he said ION August s, 1892 at No 263 Bowery. when
raid was made upon that place by Pinkertoni 81 de-
cline TO answer that question:" replied Mr..
simmons slowly, for the reason that It
NAV tend to degrade crimnate me-"
Mr. Miller called attention TO section OF the Penal
Code which provides that witness must answer ques
tons nut by legislative committee which referred tothe
matter under Investigation, and said that the witnesses
testimony could not be used against him In criminal pro-
ceedings Mr. Simmons persisted In his refusal num-
her Of questions put to him concerning various
tries and figures in books obtained by the raid the
Boyery Headquarters Some OF these entries purpoItet
to be rents paid Offices and yanous sums were cred
tied 10 Pol" Pc and "P" All these questions Mr..
simmons refused answer with air OF socal indier
cnce TO the prospect OF being committed for contempt
Mr.. Miller fshsd ont a scrap Of paper on which
was written XIII S25, Wash $780, ". NJ. s. SlO'
Ross s., Cor $50, Mel L. 50. Berg $40, NJ t25; total
SI2O,' and asked Mr.. simmons what it meant Mr..
simmons blinkcd and declined TO answer soon there,
after, the relief OF everybody, Mr. Miller announced
Jacob l. Nathan listened intently Mr. simmons's ex-
that he had profted by his professors
which after some attempt evasion he confessed o. be-
his own. His attention was called TO the entry: John
Eighty-Hfth ss Fowth-ave" lie declared he did not
know what the entry meant He didn't know John Folk;
didn't know Inspector Diks did not know that ne had
ever paid man named Diks connected win tne Police
Department, 8 that he might lei up on one CALVIN apO
lev dealer Hs attention called 10 an entry headed
FOrtyfOurh-s oce January 22, and eg1blc IN parts.
which concluded so have lost rl9 on that, and Ihaye
entry. what is the meaning Of the words bave PAID
al ponce money snTi 1i from me rcnip2 tSe yit
ward mn TO lnm he replied as Mr. simmons had done:
that it would tend to degrade criIninate me-"
He declined to give any explanation OF the following
interesting entry: "Captan KlIiiea ANY time can see
Won iad you want 10 me, would like TO fix thn1s
with you for you the only that does not want TO
take any chances Yet all the rest OF the captains take
The sugar and why don't yOu Please let me know"
willing lake the chances and receive the money
,0nay and you wanted TO fix 1t up with Captain klea
tna lie would take it personally Al decline 10 an
swer.
testimony would not be used TO secure an lndslment
against him nc would answer questions freely and tuy
R RRoRn as A' henSqaarers at No. 2G5 Bo%eFy
H ei backed number Of oces Every Office claimed tho
right charge - so for Pol expense every month
oI,-, ba untb of no
bursement of this fund His candid opinion was that
6s agents sSe .5 MI, Bernstein voGsy
rlng the policy business for three or our months Mr.
Tho sat in conef[ was in with rs, too
and we had pleasant time OF It together" His atten-
W@2 was 70 Tof s scaerea hoass
the books. He didn't know what had been done with tao
money. lie thought entry OF S3 40 opposite the let
tiers p p dist att" referred TO transaction where he
was Dlae kmaied through the Chee
coming up before the District Attorney and would
cost Sov about 5 S 0ncv to vent S'o Ge
ney's Office and thought Undo had swindled him.
rlct-Aoneys office two years previous aud he corroo-
grated them Some OF the statements were as follows;
Every middeman and hacker that came into the office
! knew nothing about the police, but there was some
RGyeF behind the 'A''n'i the police must nave been
Before Nathan testified some testimony relating to
Lyon said that he had examined the sher;
many irregularities with reference TO the 0ahs OF prison.
cTs for whom the Sheriff charged board In some
they administered by the wrong persons IN Others
the signatures not IN pro- FORM so that although
tho whole bill amounted to 1888 it could be approved 10
the extent of only SOS. William Bourke Cochran,
sci for Sheriff Davidson. SAID that the Sheriff had with
drawn the bill and by his advice destroyed IT. that there
had been question Of wrong charges, but only legal r-
regaIities He cOntended that the oahs had nothing
10 do with the bills and prepared to test the
matter In the courts. Meanwhile he waiting tho
opinion the Corporation Counsel whose decision had
been asked on the question.
The committee will meet to-day at 10 a. m, hen tee
timony will be taken in behalf of the police.