Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-31
BAUDER'S BIC BLUFF.
He Tried to Make InfOrma-
tiOns Against Witnesses
TO KEEP THEM FROM TOWN
Chief Brown Contemplates No Cru
sade Against COnstables
WHO DON'T RETURN SPEAK-EASIES
Is Federal License Legal Evidence of
Liquor Law Violation?
TO KEEP THEM FROM TOWN
WHO DON'T RETURN SPEAK-EASIES
OTHER STATES HAVE ADMITTED THEM

J. D. Bauder, the ex-proprietor of the de-
tective agency which did such thriving
business until the Department of Public
Safety swooped down upon its unique opera
tions, certainly displayed a rare amount of
nerve in a recent attempt to close up the
mouths of the witnesses against him.
While DISPATCH reporter was chatting
yesterday with Mr.. John Marron, that gen.
tleman said: "Mr. Bauder has attempted
the most audacious counter-move against the
Department of Public Safety that the
records show. Within the last few days he
Matched out scheme which he hoped would
have considerable effect. He sent note
to a magistrate requesting his presence
at the County Jail. Thinking
that Bauder wished to make deposition
the Magistrate went to see Bauder, and
learned to his establishment that Bauder de-
sired to make informations against every
witness who testified concerning the exac-
tions of the agency, for keeping speak
easies. After very little reflection the
Magistrate refused to take the informations,
and informed Bauder that while the plan
was adrOit it would be pretty hard to find a
Magistrate who would entertain such prop
osition. The matter not only is an evidence
Of Mr.. Bauder's cunning, but it goes to
show that the ex-detective feels that his
chances of acquittal are nebulous."
"What was Bauder's ulterior motive?"
was asked.
HE doubtless hoped to scare our wit
nesses away from the city, but the plan
miscarried. Yes, it was extremely difficult
to secure evidence against Bauder's gang
because the men who had been bled had
considerable dread of prosecution under the
Brooks law. We had to compel some of
them to tell what they knew"
1t is learned that other arrests are not
an immediate contingency as Inspector
Whitehouse is too busy working up evil
dencs against those already under arrest to
attend to large number of people now
under suspicion. The Inspector observes
sententiously that the suspects cannot afford
to run away.
CONSTABLES UNDER SURVEILLANCE.
In connection with the speak-easy vocation
it was stated on very reliable authority yes
terday that Chief ]. O. Brown, of the De-
partment of Public Safety, had an accurate
list of Pittsburg speak-easies, and would
watch the ward constables' reports to Court
on violations of the Brooks law, and in
cases where the constables failed to report
illegal sellers would take steps to have the
constables prosec uted under the punitive
clause of the Brooks license law.
Chief Brown was seen yesterday and
acquainted with the statement, and re-
quested to say whether any such move was
in contemplation. He said: "No we shall
not interfere with what we conceive to be
matter wholly appertaining to the juris-
diction of the Quarter Sessions Court and
the county officials. We do not consider our
selves charged with the execution of
the provisions of the Brooks law except
the Sunday selling of liquor is under con-
sideration. Anybody who imagines that
liquor can be sold with impunity on Sun
day in any section of the city is at liberty to
try it on, and the police force will show
where the mistake comes in. But we re-
gard the sale of liquor on weekdays as a
matter solely of commercial competition, so
long as order is preserved. Ifpeople choose
to buy their drinks of unlicensed parties we
have no right TO interfere no more than we
would have q right to disturb trade rela-
tions in any other branch of mercantile life.
Sunday liquor-selling, however, is distinct
offense against the peace at the city.
FEDERAL EVIDENCE IN QUESTION.
Chief Clerk II. j. Mitchell, of the Inter-
nal Revenue Collectors Office, was recently
asked about the possibility of the introduc- |
tion of the Collector Warmcastle's books in
the local courts as evidence against speak |
easy proprietors. He replied that while the |
payment of an internal revenue tax might |
be considered prima facia evidence against |
people charged with illegal liquor selling,
it was mooted point as to its admissibility |
In courts of law.
Upon this question Chief Brown said: |
"During my recent trip through Vermont |
and New Hampshire 1 looked into the mat
ter, and found that in both States the |
courts having jurisdiction of illegal liquor
selling had decided in a number of cases |
that the evidence was perfectly admissible, |
and 1 suppose that those precedents would |
have some weight in our own courts should |
the question arise"
"Will the Department of Public Safety
take action leading to the settling of such |
an Issue?" was asked.
81 hardly think likely, as we at present |
consider that speak-easies are out of our
jurisdiction. except when they break the
Sabbath by selling"