New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-21

| bridge which kept by Billy ifoyt MiS' 'd"
ford's partner in business
Edward Fitzpatrick the builder. who was an inter
esting witness before the Iexow Committee in June
was called next testify against Policeman Burns
who was A ward man in the First Precinct In 1920
when Inspecto: Mclaughlin was the captain there
Mr. fitzpatrick said he lived at No Goo West End
ave In 1890 he was erecting the Edison Building. at
Nos ~ and II Broad-st. Early in that year. when ne
was beginning the work. he was accosted In Broad
ST. by Burns. who introduced himself as the ward
man Of the precinct. and said he was man MT
Fitzpatrick ought to know. The witness said ne did
understand what Burns meant until the ward
man went on 10 say: THE police can be of as
sIsiance to YOU You will have to put bridge over
the sidewalk in Broad-st and another bridge in New
St. for pedestrians l can &c; you permits for the
bridges Each permit will cost YOU $50 That Is one
of tho captains perquisites. We can also place an
officer here to look after things for you.
Mr. Fitzpatrick told the Commissioners tina; he ex-
but the ward had declared that all OF the build
ss hgd ito to G an sS SS rates Upon Sokng
at his permit from the Building department. the
for the bridges over the sidewalks. and upon max.
ing inquiry al the office of the department, ne
another bureau. HE got the permit without any
place where Mr. fitzpatrick was at work again and
You haven't been to see me Won CA, SEQ me here
al any time" was the reply.
will need bridge.
"Ill look after my end OF That ana you can iooK
after your end OF it, -
IAN right III fetch YOU and Burns went away
"e"'''' HIS MEN ARRESTED
After that. the witness said. his
rested by the police. although he had permits for
the bridges. After there had been fifteen or six
teen arrests the persecution was stopped He went
TO the police station in ola slip. inquired for tn
captain and denounced the arrests as part Of a
scheme to levy blackma1. He also showed the per-
NIT for the bridges. Burns came out Of a side
! ROOM looked at the permit and said: Il never saw
anything like this before" Then he said the ar
rests were all a mistake and that there would be
no more of them He followed the builder out OF
the station, repeating that the arrests were
mistake.
Upon cross-examination the witness admitted
that he did not have necessary permit for bridges
when he had the first talk with Burns He had
not complained to the Dis;rc,-Attorney or 10 a
police magistrate on OF the alleged at
tempt 10 extort money from him He had com
planned TO the who was sitting like judge
behind the desk at the police station Somebody
at the door Of the station had pointed to the man
not know If the man was Captain Mcl-aughlin as
he did not know Mclaughlin by sight. and nigh,
be able TO recognize him II he saw him again.
When the witness was asked .,, BY Nj House ,. how
view. Mr.. Fitzpatrick replied with great emphasis:
Elegantly"
THE BLACKMAILING OF BUILDERS.
In reply to a question by Commissioner Kerwin
the witness admitted that ne had testified before
the Iexow Committee that IL was common thing
for builders TO be blackmailed by the police.
Commissioner Kcrwn--Can you give the names
Of two builders who have been blackmailed by the
police?
The Wtness-I cannot give you the names OF two
builders who have not been blackmaied BY the
police
The answer given with great emphasis and
caused something OF a sensation in the trial-room
Mr. Wellman asked that the question and answer
be kept of the record. claiming that the case Of
Burns had been suspended temporarily before Com
missioner Kerwin had asked the question.
Friend and House objected and declared that II
would be unfair TO Burns TO have the answer to
the question taken from the record.
Mr. Welman retorted that the lawyers only
wanted make a point for their appeal to tho
Supreme Court in the Burns
Mr.. House-Oh. then. the Assistant DistrictAt.
that Burns is 10 be dismissed
We now object on that ground to any Of Mr.. XII
patricks statements being stricken from ne record
Mr. Fitzpatrick said ne had been t9ld In con
mail TO the police He not willing 10 give
names publicly. but he willing to give them
to General Ker~P IN pryae Ta srv aTrIn n
and give him list Of the builders who had been
After a recess James Russell testified that he
had been employed as a man OF all work IN the
Mrs. Catherine Oroson. Of No: 1852 Alen-st testi,
fed that Honmans house at No $50 Alen-st had
William Berrenden laundryman. and George
Katie Schuberts house In Chrystie-st deserved us
'I George See. formerly foreman in the employ Of
Mr. fitzpatrick. testified that he had been arrested
three tines during me trouble win me ppce do0o out
think there had been fifteen arrests there or that