The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-10-10
in ON THE DIVIDE.
Police Captains Shared
the Doodle.
LEXOW STRIKES A SNAG.
Witnesses Find Their Memories
Begin to Fail.
FORGET FORGOT A GREAT DEAL.
In Fact Forget Could Not Remember
Anything That He Was
Desired To.

early in the courtroom were several police
captains whose faces had not been seen
there before. A host of fresh witnesses
was also on hand, including a man who
had wanted to be policeman and was
swindled in the attempt; an ironmolder,
who says he was robbed by policeman,
and an amateur detective. who will have
lots to say about the scandal in the Essex
Market Police Court.
Warden Ledwith of the Police Court
Prison told the committee about certain
abuses in those institutions which he was
investigating
Agent Forget of the French steamship
line testified that his contrary paid $500 t.
the police for extra services. The police
men on the pier were paid $40 week and
$500 went to the other police officials. Que
Of the company's hooks which was pro-
duced showed that in November, 1891. $500
had been paid for special service on the
Iier." Mr.. Forget could cot remember to
whom the money was paid.
Mr.. Golf asked Mr.. Forget il Policeman
began had been removed from the pier
because he refused to divide with the cap
tain the money received. began was
present IN court and Mr.. Forget identified
him.
Policeman Lewis began testified that he
was stationed on the French line pier for
ten years and the company paid him $40 a
week for working over time and on his
days off. In 1891 Wardsman Vail told him
he must pay the $40 a week to Captain
Schmittberger. began refused. saying he
was already paying the captain S. week,
and the latter would soon want his whole
salary. He was promptly removed to
another beat All the policemen, he said,
shared their extra money with the captains.
Superinte ndent West of the French line
company testified to Degan's efficiency.
W hen Degan was transferred Wardman
Cannon demanded the $40 week formerly
paid began. West declined to give it with
out a receipt, but a receipt was refused.
Witness protested against Degan's re-
moval. Captain Schmittberger said the
officer had been insubordinate and was in
league with smugglers. Superintendent
West said that the charge was ridiculous.
William Fl. Shaft, passenger agent, fol-
lowed. but he did not know anything of
his own knowledge.
Mr. Forget was recalled. and under an
adroit questioning by Mir. Golf, admitted
that friends of Captain Schmittberger had
approached him and begged him not to
testify that Schmittberger got $500, or it
would ruin him. He protested to not re-
member who had in 'erceded for the cap
tain. 1t was represented to him that Cap
tain Schmittberger would be dismissed il
the $500 story came out, and for the sake
Of the captains family Mr.. Forget was
urged to keep it dark" MIR. Forger,
apologizing for his imperfect knowledge
OF the English language, said lac did not
want to 60 on record as saying he had
been approached in Captain Schmittberg-
er's behalf only. Some one, who he
could not remember, had in the last few
weeks asked him not to testify againstany
police official. A man named Wolf, two
weeks ago. had asked him not to testify
against Schmittberger. Mr.. Golf and Mr..
Lexow wanted to CLEAN further particulars
about Wolf. but they failed. Mr.. Forget
only knew that Wolf had spoken to him on
several occa sions. Mr.. Forget's i'm
preston was to the effect that seven men
had shared in the $500. There his SIM
preston" failed MIR. Golf logged wit
ness memory and brought to mind the
fact that he had written private letter to
the directors of the company regarding the
expenditure of the $500. but he had kept
no copy of the letter, and the exact con-
tents bad escaped his memory. Senator
Lexow asked the. witness to cable for the
return of the letter.
THAT would cost too much. % cents a
word" said Mr.. Forget.
Counsel Golf then got the witness to
admit that he had written the list of seven
names and told his cashier to divide the
$780, Then MIR. Golf laid cable-message
blank before the witness, Now write
the instructions for che return of the letter.
We will pay the tolls" said Mr.. Golf.
Mr.. Forget begged to be excused
"Will you swear you don't know who
got the $5OO?" asked MIR. Goff
''No."
Policeman John Corcoran was called.
Mr.. Golf held broken ''locust" In his
hand and charged the giant policeman
with breaking the club over small mans
head. The small man was made to stand
by the side Of the policeman, who lowered
above him. The policeman denied that
he had broken his club on the prisoners
head. He said he shattered the locust
across the iron railing which the small
man had grasped.
Edward Quinn, the small man. Is a la
borer. His clothes we've in rags from the
rough treatment; he had received at the
big pollceman's hands. He said Corco ran
struck him in the face when he reached the
station-house. He was struck because he
tried to talk.
James Clifford testified to the brutal
treatment Quinn had received. When The
witness protested be was himself dubbed,
kicked and thrown into a cell.
James Hughes had tried to buy rounds
man off from preventing a dog fight. He
paid the officer S.. He had thought Her.
man Wise was the roundsman, but he now
thought otherwise.
Roundsman Wise was called and denied
the incident. He also denied that he had
threatened to commit suicide in the pres
ence OF Police Captain Westervelt if
charges were pressed against him to the
effect that ne had entered citizens house
and held improper relations with woman
of the family.
Nellie weinberg testified that she Of
fered Alderman ''Silver Dollar" Smith $50
tor protection for coffee-saloon with lady
Doarders. ,,Silyer Dollar" Smith refused
the money.
THAT is the most astonishing piece of
evidence yet" said Mr.. Golf.
LEXOW WANTS TIME.
Said to Have Asked the Grand jury
to Wait While.
NEW YORK, Oct, 9. State Sanator