The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-12-19

8till Being Evolved by the Lozov
Investigating Committee,
INSPECTOR STEERS NOW CHARGED.

Police Sergeant Taylor Declares That He
Regularly Carried contributions" to
Police Headquarters, which Were Re
ceived by the Inspector.
NEW YORK, Dec. 19.-Polioe Sergeant
John J. Taylor, of the steamboat squad,
testified before the Lexow committee yes
terday that ex xInspector Henry V. Steers
had Systematically eXacted moneys from
policemen who were paid for extra work
by steamship and railroad companies.
Other witnesses swore that Captains Max
f. Schmittberger, Anthony Allaire and
George Castlin had been guilty of similar
offenses A futile effort was made by
Counsel Gotf to elicit from John W. Rep
penhagen additional facts of Importance.
concerning the payment by Captain Cree
den of $4,000 for his captaincy. Reopen
hagen repeated his former statement that
he had received the money, had paid SlO,-
900 of it TO ex-Assemblyman John J. Mar
tin, who is now said to be dying of paraly-
sis, and had retained $1,000 for himself.
He reiterated his belief that the $4,000
was paid TO Commissioner now police JUS
tice) Voorhis.
The days developments before the in
vestigation committee entangled police
headquarters in the'net of official cOrrup-
tion. Despite this fact, however public
sentiment is far from as turbulent today
as 1t was on Friday, when Captain Cree
den's confession set the city agog with ex-
citement.
Still, in official circles, the news of the
days exposures has brought amazement
unboundeG. superintendent Byrnes, when
told of Sergeant Taylor's testimony against
ex-Inspector Steers, manifested great as
tonishment.
"Iam amazed, astounded," " was his only
comment, and no argument could induce
him to pronounce an opinion. Inspectors
Williams IN ! Conlin evincod similar feel
ings Sergeant John Harley, who was
formerly detailed to duty in Inspector
Steers Office, said: Il have always, and
do now consider Inspector Steers a man of
unblemished character and ] cannot be
lievc that he ever accepted any bribe
moneys
And SO many other officials of the police
department. expressed themselves.
Steers was for many years captain of
the city hall squad. He was made in
spector when Superintendent Murray took
charge of the department, and retired two
years ago. At that time he was chief in
spector, in command of the detective office.
His pension of -, 800 per annum goes with
the now defunct office of inspector. He is
a conspicuous and popular member of the
Washington Heights Methodist church.
The sensational evidence against Steers
was not brought forward until late in the
afternoon, Counsel Golf having paved the
way with a number of witnesses, who
swore that steamship and railroad com
panies had paid tribute to the police for
guarding their property One after an
other a stream of policemen swore to this
fact, and then the big sensation of the ses-
sion was sprung us a fitting climax to the
days proceedings
Inspector McAvoy, who succeeded Steers
as inspector, was also implicated by Tay-
lor's testimony that the money was sent
| to headquarters after Steers retirement.
Inspector Mclaughlin was not inculpated
because he succeeded Steers only as chief
| of the detective bureau, and consequently
did not handle the collections from the
steamboat squad.
Many rumors concerning alleged indict-
! ments against police officers accused be-
| fore the LeXow committee are current
throughout the city, but beyond Sergeant
| Taylor's testimony the developments in
connection with police cases yesterday
have been of no palpable import.
| Before any business was transacted by
! the committee the senators and their coun
sci indulged in public discussion, the
upshot Of which was Il decision chat any
action, original or civil, against Captain
| Creeden We're barred and Illegal; that the
| testimony and proceedings Of the Lexov
| committee are privileged, and that Captain
| Creeden's reinstatement by the police
| board was "A COmInendable proceeding.
At the request of Harry Hin, who SOM
! months ago testified that he had seen Gov
ernor Shepard in a disorderly house il
this city, this testimony was expunge,
from the record
Police Justice Voorhis appeared in tn
chamber and announced his desire for vim
dicntion in connection with the Creedel
affair,