Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-15
CAPT CREEDENS SUSPENSION
Commissioner Martin and Superintendent
Byrnss Express Regret
Summoned by the LexOw Committed
to Tell Why They Punished .
Man for Confessing.


| Of the Lexow committee hearing, at which
Capt Creeden had confessed to paying
$4,000 for his position. in New York. In
formation came to the committee which
created great excitement. Mr.. Gon, OBJ
serving this, as every one did, stopped his
examination, and Chairman LeXow, who
was white with rage, said:
Information comes to from head
quarters that the superintendent of police
has preferred charges against Capt. Cree
den, who has been suspended by the police
commissioners. We ask the counsel to IN
quire as to this
Mr.. Gon-"we have e dispatch to tho
same effect this instant"
Senator Lexow-"It is shameful"
Mr.. Goff-''Worse than that. Police cap
tains have been in this room this very day
who are under charges of felony and they
have not been suspended"
Mr.. Jerome-"And one was on the stand
today (Schmittberger) who Is under indict-
ment and remains In charge of his pre-
cinct."
Senator OConnor-"It seems that only
those who tell the truth here are to suffer
from the board"
Mr. Gofr-"From the time of Devery to
now the police board has refused to sus-
pend men under indictment, but when one
man tells the truth here he Is suspended
within the hour in spite Of the expression
of the committee that his service to the
state entitled him to consideration from the
board"
Chairman Lexow-"This is abominable.
Why not have the commissioners here right
away, this instant?"
Senator Bradley-""And the superintend-
entf
Mr.. Goff-"we will so order"
i This lively conversation had worked the
| spectators up into great excitement, and
| when they saw Mr.. Moss scribbling on a
subpoena which Mr.. Jerome, hat In hand,
was waiting to serve, the spectators broke
| out in cheers.
| After some time there was stir. which
| began out in the crowded lobby Of the court
| room and extended into the room. sweep
Ing up to and over the committee bench as
excited whispers went around, "Commis-
sioner Martin. Commissioner Martin Is
here" He was preceded by young Mr..
Jerome, who whispered some information
| to Mr.. Goff, and then Mr. Martin was call
ed to the witness chair. Mr.. Golf said to
| him:
| Mr.. Commissioners, information has
reached the committee that tho police
| board has this afternoon suspended Capt
! Creeden. who was witness before this
| committee today. Is that true?" Att Is
| true"
| Q.-"For what reason?" A.-"The board
| was in session this afternoon. 1t was
| about to adjourn when the superintendent
/ sent word to us that he had a communica-
| ton to make which he would like to make
| to the board in executive session. We went
| into executive session, and the superin-
| tendent was called In. He informed us that
| Capt. Creeden had today admitted before
| this committee that he had paid $4,000 for
his appointment. The superintendent rec
commended that Capt Creeden be suspend
| ed. The board agreed to this and directed
| the superintendent to prepare charges
against the captain. 1t is only right to say
| that the board at that time did not know
| of the opinion the committee had expressed
in this connection, and that the superin-
| tendent did not state that he was aware Of
| 1t either"
Mr.. Goff.-"well, the senate committee
| has sent for you to hear your explanation.
| You have given it, and would now like to
ask you, has any resolution Of the board
| been passed or any notice been given to
| you by the superintendent concerning other
| police captains who have testified before
| this committee and some of whom are now
under indictment? Have you suspended
any other captain owing to evidence which
has been given hereT' AT think there Is
only one other case, but the papers in that
| have not yet been made out"
| OIL will recall one case to you. A repu-
| table business man in this community, rep
resenting a large corporation. testified here,
and corroborated his testimony by his
| books. that Capt Schmittberger had ac-
| cepted bride from him, or had black
mailed his company. On reading that in
| the public prints did you, or any commits
sioner, or the superintendent. ask to have
CaptSchmttberger suspended pending your
| investigation Of those grave charges? A
| No, sir; that Is the one case refer to. in
| which the papers have not yet been made
| out.
Q.-But that testimony was given here on
| September Il.
The commissioner was silent for some
| board meets tomorrow, and our action can
be reconsdered in view OF the expressed
| opinion of this committee"
| Mr.. Golf ignored this and returned to his
| charge in this manner:
Q.-Capt. Schmittberger Is not suspended
and is still in command? AIN command
| Of his precinct.
| Q-And up to this time not a single cap
! tain has been suspended by your board ex-
| cepting Capt Creeden. although many cap
| tains have been smirched with charges Of
| extortions blackmail and cruelty?
The commissioner was silent. Then Chair
] man LeXow said:
1--WE consider that Capt. Creeden has per-
| formed a great service to the state. Now,
| does 1t occur to you, Mr.. Commissioner,
| that the best way to prevent any other cap
| tain from coming forward here to aid this
I state is to take just the action your board
| has taken today7"
Commissioner Martini am disposed to
| accede to the wishes of the committee in
He repealed this assurance in different
| terms. and said that he would vote to re-
tnstate Creeden.
The commissioner ha Just disappeared
| through the door when there was another
sensation caused by the appearance Of Su-
| perintendent Byrnes. The superintendent
| was sworn, and was asked several pre-
| liminary questions. and stated that 1t was
true that Capt. Creedan had been sus-
pended.
Q.-On what cause? A.-Because when
he was appointed he swore that he did not
pay for his appointments yesterday he
swore the sameJ today he swore that he
did pay. That being the case, perjury was
committed somewhere. l went before the
board and recommended that he should be
suspended until investigation.
GA number of police captains have
been charged here with blackmail and ex-
tortion, and some Of those are now under
indictment. Have any of those so charged
or so indicted been suspended? A.--No, sir.
Q.-Was that question ever brought to
the boards attention by you? A.-No, sir.
Q.-Can you give us any good reason for
this discrimination against Creeden-him
you charge with appearing here and tell
ing the truth; those were charged with eX-
tortion and blackmail? A-The others de-
ny their guilt, and he admits that he Is
guilty.
Q.-You draw the Distinction Al do
not draw the distinction. 1t Is custom
that has always existed in the board to
suspend an officer charged in the courts
with crime who admits his guilt, pending
our own investigation, but If man Is
charged under Indictment with crime and
is admitted to bail, it has been the rule Of
the board to permit him to continue his
dutjea on the force