Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-26
LATE NEWS BY WIRE
The Le1ow Investigating Committee
Again in Session.
9RIBES THAT WERE GIVEN POLICEMEN
Witnesses To Be Freed From
Prosecution.
-FIZZLE AT PHILADELPHIA

NEW YORK. June 26.-The senate police
Investigation committee began this morn
ing the first of four days session. which, in
all probability. will bring to close its
labors for the present. After the heated
term. IL the program now announced Is
carried out, the committee will reconvene
and tackle the police department with re-
newed vigor. What the line of inquiry will
be the few remaining days. II is purely a
matter OF speculation to forecast. as Coun-
sci Con refuses 10 say what he has pre-
pared
Counsel Con opened by reading a list of
names OF witnesses, great many of whom
failed to respond.
Louis Pitager who was on the stand on
Friday last. was recalled to answer some
questions about his check book and how he
secured license for his saloon.
Mr.. Gof desired to bring out that he had
paid a politician to secure a license.
The witness persistently denied this. The
witness admitted that he had been arrested
three years ago.
What for?"
II dent know"
How did you plead?" asked Mr.. Goff.
Not guilty"
Not guilty Of what?"
I don't know"
Il think you are fragrant pcrjurer,'
Numbered Mr. Golf
The witness meekly denied the charge
The examination of this witness took
interest. as he refused to admit paying
money to any one.
Then came Gustsve II. Martin. a produce
dealer Of SOJ Washlr gton street. He had
been blackmailed to the extent of $50 for
the privilege of breaking the law by put
ting goods on the sidewalk. The wardman
said the money was for the old man"
Then Mr.. Goff and Mr.. Nicoll had pas
sage at arms. The latter questioned the
protection afforded by the committee to
witnesses who confessed they had broken
the law by bribing policemen.
Chairman Lexow said that when they ap-
psared before the committee IL was an alb
solute bar to all proceedings against them.
Mr. NicON dragged in the ghost of Jake
Sharp. and asked why he had not been
freed from prosecution by his testimony
before a committee.
Prof. VIM. e. BENIN. a music teacher.
testified that. with friend. he went to
Madison Square Garden last evening. where
The Saengerfest was being held. He could
not get seats at the box office. As he was
turning away. Policeman Schmidt said that
for 81 he would pass the two in and get
them seats The orrer was accepted. and
the policeman passed the two in. When
they failed TO secure seats they denounced
the policeman He offered to refund. but
they said no. the Lexow committee must
know all about It.
Today in court the policeman approached
the witness and begged that he would not
testify, he was a married man. The
witness would have relented. but Mr.. Golf
insisted, and so the story came out.
Or cross-examination by Delaney Nicoll
the witness said: Go ahead. / know you
are here to protect crime"
Francisco Scholastico, a bootblack. of III
Fulton street. testified he paid the ward
man 81 over year ago.
Recess was here declared.
Flash In the Pan at Philadelphia.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, June 26.-rhe po-
lios court inquiry fell fat today. After a
session lasting eight minutes the court re-
turned verdict of mot guilty" and all the
Heutenants were exonerated from any con-
nection whatever with the alleged extor-
ton. When the court convened Director
Better called Simon Muir. the jeweler.
who was supposed to know all about the
alleged extOrtion. After referring to the
article which appeared in one OF the morn
ing papers, TO the effect that a certain wo-
man had gone to Mr.. Muhr's store to pur-
chase a diamond for police lieutenant for
protection, Mr.. Beitler asked: rs this
lieutenant now connected with the police
department of Philadelphia"
Mr.. Muir said: THE case in question oc-
connected with the police force today that
has any connection with the case. 1 say
that most positively and assuredly."
SIR. Muir then said that the lieutenant
was not on the force when Mr.. Stuart was
elected mayor. He positively declined to
give the name of the man.
This ended the inquiry. Director BETTER
has not yet set a day for the hearing of
Lieut.. McCoach and House Sergeant Cal
houn, who are accused of having taken
hush money"