The evening world., 1894-03-06
CAPT. PRICES WAY.
Asked Alleged Disorderly People
What They Were Doing.
When They Replied "Nothing," He
Went Away Satisfied.
81 Didn't Induce Any One TO Com
nit Crime" He Said.

There waa an air of suppressed excite
ment around Police Headquarters this
morning. for the trial OF two captains of
police were set down for Ii O'Clock. The
-four Commissioners sitting in judgment
were TO decide whether or not Supt.
Byrnes's charges Of neglect OF duty
against Capts. Price and Martens could
be sustained.
The neglect OF duty charged against
Capt. James X. Price. of the Twentieth
Precinct that he failed to suppress
house OF ill-repute at 52s and $50 Sew
enth avenue on or about Feb. H. 1894
after having been ordered to do so by
his superior officer.
The house mentioned was ralded by
detectives from the Central Office, after
cap Price had failed to close 1t In
accordance with or1era.
capt Price was tried Feb. 10 on sim
liar charge. growing out of IA raid made
enth avenue.
The charge against capt. Frederick
W Martens. OF the TwentN-hrst Pre-
mp d disorderIy house at 9os and I'll
Lexington avenue, after having been or
dered to do so. capt. Martens was to
trial was postponed until to-day, owing
to the Illness OF the defendant.
Capts. Price and Martens were placed
on trial before the Police Commissioners
at II o'clock. Capt. Price was a the big
white building ON Mulberry street early
this morning. evidently not so happy
AS when he received n coat OF white,
wash at his recent trial He consulted
his old friend and adviser, Inspector
williams. shortly before the trial began
and appeared In the trial room just as
Supt Ryrnes stepped in
The accused captains were represent
ed by Lawyer Charles w. Brooke. The
Commissioners first called Capt Mar.
tens. but at MIR. Brooke's request Capt.
looked on indifrerently while Supt
Byrnes, standing by his side, said he
had heard complaints about the house at
stated that he had directed Inspector
McEvoy to notify the Captain to close
the house.
in the shape OF legal evidence, and the
Superndent called Inspector McF.voy
who testified that under the directions
OF the Superintendent he had notified
capt Price three times to close the
house.
What did the Captain say ?" asked
Supt. Byrnes.
The Superintendent here stated that he
had Capt. Prices report. made repeat
edly, that the house at 52S and $50 Sew
enth avenue. had been closed.
Detective George T.. Titus. who was
sent by Supt. Byrnes to visit the house,
testified to its character. He said that
he and two other detectives were ad-
mitted to the house on three different
occa sions, and that each time they en-
tered the house through the basement.
They met two inmates and the house
was paid for by Detective Grady. He
said woman named Emma Lewis ac-
Cepted the money for wine.
MIR. Brooke asked him II the detectives
v,,f told haf huI hna
closed. Titus said they had not.
similar testimony. Attorney Brooke
sented themselves as friends from the
West to Sall!e Howland. the reputed
proprietor of the house, and they adj
mltted that they had done so.
Supt. Byrnes then started to make a
statement. but Mr.. Brooke objected.
The Superintendent then stated that
his cnse was closed.
had been established, and made mo-
tion to dismiss. but the motion was de-
MED.
capt. Price testified that not until last
November did he know that the houses
at 52S and $50 Seventh avenue were of
n disorderly character. Then n com
plant was received from n doctor, who
was annoyed by cabs at the house.
He said he then made an investigation |
md closed the house hut the Justice re-
fused to give him warrant on the evi- |
uenCe IN Ms poSSeSSlOn, Inc captain {
then produced the report he had made to
Supt. Bvrnes.
The Superintendent said he did not |
ant the entire report read. hut Just the |
section referring to the house In qucs-
ton.
And that portion is untrue" added |
the Superintendent, ith some warmth.
The report was finally admitted In its
and the portion referring to the |
hous" was read. The Captain claimed he
had repeatedly made Investigations. hut
never found any evidence after he closed |
the house in November.
81 instructed my men to get evidence
against the house II they could" said !
the Captain. hut never told my men
Ia induce any one to commit a crime"
he added. with sarcasm.
" That's a nice remark to make" OBJ
served Supt. Byrnes.
" We'll. there are no diSorderly- houses
in the Twentieth Precinct, said the Cap
tain.
" II ono Is pointed out will imme-
hiatclv arrest the inmates"
What did you do personally 90 asked
the Superintendent.
:" went to the house and asked what
they, were doing, and the servant said
nothing"
" DO you think that Is the proper way
for police officer to get information ?"
asked the Superintendent.
The Commissioners ruled out the Hues-