Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-09
The Lezow Investigating Committee
Resumes Its Sessions.
A POLICEMAN ACCUSES A CAPTAIN
Says He Was Prosecuted for Not
Giving Tribute.
WHAT WAS THE CUSTOM?

NEW YORK, October 9-The Iexow
police Investigating committee resumed
work today. Among the crowd that gath
cred early in the court room were several
police captains, whose faces had not been
seen there before. A host of fresh witnesses
was also on hand, including man who
had wanted to be a policeman and was
swindled in the attempt; an iron molder.
who says he was robbed by a policeman.
and an amateur detective. who will have
lets to say about scandal in the Essex
Market polite court. ..s'7
Warden Ledwith of the police court prison
told the committee about certain abuses in
those institutions, which he was investl-
eating.
Agent T. Forget of the French steamship
line testified that his company paid 500
to the police for extra services. The police
man on the pier was paid $40 a week and
500 went to the other police officials. One
of the companys books, which was pro-
duced. showed that in November. 1891. 500
had been paid for special surveillance on
the per- Mr.. Forget could not remember
to whom the money was paid.
Mr. Gcn asked MIR. Forget IL Policeman
began had been removed from the pier be-
cause he refused to divide with the captain
the money he received from the company.
began was present IN court, and Mr.. For
get Unidentified him. Mr.. Forget's memory
again failed him, and Mr.. Con probed with
out avail.
Policeman Louis began then testified. He
is the first policeman who accused a cap
tain. He testified that he was stationed on
the French line pier for eleven years. He
said he received $40 week for working
overtime. and on his days off. He was sent
there in $3.50. The superintendent of the
line offered him $40 for extra services. He
never had a charge made against him and
got along very we'll In 1891 Wardman
Vail came to him and said: Captain
Schmittberger wants this $40 you receive"
Il told VAIL" said began. that was no
serf and would not give up the SO earned
by hard work after my regular hours. 1
was ali eady giving s. a week, and the cap
tain wanted every cent. l told him that
Capt. Schmittberger would next want my
salary. Vail said: You had better, as the
captain can make you trouble Let Capt.
Schmittberger do his worst 1 replied, L
won't be serf. A few days after Capt.
Schmittberger called ME into his room, and
said: Do you know where your post is? 1t
is over among the canal boats and the fish
markets. He said this in a haunting Tone
and 1 was subsequently shifted from one
post to another.
''One day the captain called me into his
room and said. Your friends are going to
have you made roundsman. Now, L want
you to pick out the best post in the pre-
cinct until you are made roundsman.'
Il replied, You are my captain and
should assign me to my duty. 1 refuse to
pick out any particular post The captain
said hastily: We wont discuss that All
the policemen shared their extra money
with the captain"
Superintendent West Of the company fol-
lowed. and testified to Officer Degan's eff
cheney. When began was transferred Ward
man Cannon called and demanded the so
formerly paid to began. Superintendent
West said If a receipt would be given he
would give the money. A receipt was re-
fused.
MIR. Golf asked If he knew 500 had been
raised by the steamship companies as a
purse to Capt. Schmitterberger.
The witness had heard a rumor to that
effect. He said that he protested to Capt.
Schmitterberger against Officer Degan's
removal. The captain said that the officer
had been removed for characterization. The
captain also said that the officer was in
league with smugglers. Superintendent
West said he told Capt. Scbmittberger that
ouch charge was ridiculous.
VIM. H. Schatt, passenger agent, followed
He did not know anything Of his own
knowledge.
Mr. Forget was recalled, and under adroit
Questioning by Mr.. Goff admitted that
friends of Capt. Schmittberger had ap-
preached him and begged him not to testify
that Schmittberger got 500, or it would
ruin him. He professed not to remember
who had interceded for the captain.
1t was represented to him that Capt
Schmittberger would be dismissed If the
500 story came out, and for the sake Of
the captains family Mr.. Forget was urged
to keep it dark.