New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-13
CAPTAIN HOOKER ON TRIAL
POLICE COMMISSIONERS TAKE UP HIS
CASE.
Mr.. HAMMERSTEIN REPEATS HIS STATEMENTS
ABOUT PERSECUTION-WHAT THE
DEFENCE SAYS.


The trial Of Police Captain Henry Hooker, of the
West hundred and twenty fifth st. Squad on charge
made by Oscar HammerSten, manager of the Harlem
Opera House occupied the attention of the Commits
Eoners at Headquarters from 10 a. M until q p. H.
yesterday Mr.. Grant, who conducted Captain Hooker
defence took up nearly half the time IN the cross
examination of witnesses, while President MacLcan
presided and took care that all the available evidence
to support Mr.. Hammerstein's charges was brought
out Mr.. Hammerstein repeated his story OF the
persecution to which he had been subjected, Du' al
the outset he objected 10 one count in the charge
lie said Il never complained that Captain Hooher
anwarrantably influenced me TO employ the man
Leonard as usher. What l do complain OF Is that
.his coward took out Of my Office and locked INC
No on the basis of lie His explanation OF the
employment OF Leonard that the captain had re-
uuested it, and after Leonard had been discharged hau
asked to have Leonard re-employed, adding tat Inc
manager might be arrested for permitting dllhhIhS III
,oOms the lobby. Leonard was taken ba'N' O'l
Mas again discharged on the night Of March -
Captain Hooker went 10 the Opera House with his
wife Mr. Hammerstein said that the captain had
begged tickets previously, and they had been SEM
20 him. Upon arriving at the opera House ana
learning that Madame Lehman was not gong u sing
that night Mr.. Hammerstcin said Captain Hooker hunG
the tickets in al the box-oice with an oath and went
out. on subsequent evenings policemen who had been
detailed to protect the public in the lobby Of the
Opera House were prevented from going inside by
the captains orders.
On May /. Mr.. Hammerstein said he received mint
that he would have trouble with captain HOOKER
unless the license for the opera House was renewed
that day. He met Captain Hooker on cable car
ard the captain grufy inquired: " How about yoaF
ucense?, Mr.. Hammerstein said he got of the car
without replying and went TO the Mayors once 10
apply for new license. He was tod that MS o."
license would hold good until the next day, WHEN ne
could get the license. In the evening ai'er inc
Opera House was crowded. he wa, arrest ana the
performance was stopped by Captain Hooker AT
the police station Mr. ammcrStein was detained lor an
hour after he had furnished bail
Mr. Iiammersten called his son and John G. MoXen
ticket seller, who failed to remember tlat captain
Hooker had used profane language IN returning thr
tickets al the bOXoflCe on the evening OF March -
Mr. Moxcn said that the policemen were kept ont
of the lobby of the opera House on the two folio"
ing evenings. P. II. Wolfsen musical manager, test
fed that on the evening Of the arrest Mr.. Hammer
stein admitted that he had been warnd by captain
Hooker to get "a new license. GEORGE H. Best The
Mayors clerk denied that he had told MIR. Hammer
stein that the old license would he good for the hish
of May /. Justice Murray, who discharged Mr. Ham
rerscin on May =. explained that he did not take int
consideration the fraction OF day during when IL Wa
maintained that the opera House rad no license.
In his own defence Captain Hooker denied that ht
had held any grudge against Mr. IiammeIsteIA. lie
called several witnesses 10 prove that he had not
used insulting or pro.aDe language in returning cAgis
al the box Office on the evening Of March %. He
furnished evidence that he sent word 70 Ar. Ham
CAV an Official report declaring that The character
OF the opera House good. John W. Davis school
CAPTAIN Hooker and Mr. Hammcr,tcn ;he morning
of May ! and heard Mr.. Iammcrstc.n thank Captain
license Mr. Hammcrstcn said that he had 500 IN his
pocket and was going Immediately 10 The Mayo
Fvldence mat Captain Hooker had warned The
manager, before the Opera House was opened th1;