The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-12-22
CORRUPT TO The VERY CORE.
SChmittbeTSeT Throws More Light on
the New York Police.


Effrontery Under the Administra-
tion of Capt. Williams-The Money
They Paid for Protection Pocketed by
the oaptain-ohcers on the Beat Un-
der Instructions Not to Interfere With
the Protected Joints-A House of Ill
Fame Protected by Commissioner
Martin.
New York, Dec. 21.-This was the most
memorable day of any in the history of
the Lexow committee. Capt. Schmitt-
berger was the principal witness and ms
examination lasted nearly all day and
was full of sensations. He put into so
many words his conclusion, drawn from
his experience, that the police depart
ment Of New York is rotten TO the core
lie made one exception to this general
condemnation. He expressed the opin-
ion that Supt. Byrnes is an honest man.
and means to do right when he is per-
mitted to do so.
One of the minor incidents of the day
previous to Capt. Schmittberger taking
the stand was the statement that bogus
subpoenas have been sent to people who
were not wanted by the committee. Law
yer Con- also stated that he received
many scurrilous letters rejecting on the
character of private individuals, to which
he had paid no attention.
When Capt, Schmittberger took the
stand all the other witnesses were ex-
cused.
Capt. Schmittberger said he Began his
career on the police force as a patrol
man under Capt. Williams He paid moth
ING Tor ms appointment but said he knew
mat political pull was more effective in
getting men on the force than merit, and
that the men who were appointed through
political influence We're the worst men
on the force. He could not tell where the
money went to for appointments, but
ne could tell as to promotions. 1t went
10 go-betweens, one of whom he named
as Charlie Grant, ex-Commissioner Nc
Clave's private secretary. While in Can't
Williams precinct the disorderly house
brauch Of the business was looked after
by Detective Price, who is now captain.
capt. Schmittberger was asked: Can
you state why, under Special officer Price,
SO many disorderly houses were allowed
to run?"
Mr.. Gof then named Tom Gould's the
Star and Garter, the Fashion, and other
onee-famous tenderloin places.
"IheSe Places said the captain, were
the resorts of criminals OF the whole city,
who came there to meet women"
WHO was the man to whom the protec-
tion money went directly?"
Capt. Williams"
Would it be possible for these places to
run openly without the toleration of the
captainY'
''No, sir, 1t would not"
The witness said that if the wardman
gave the officer on the post instructions
not to interfere with these houses, the
officer would not interfere with them
And if the officer did interfere?"
He would be changed at once"
Did you ever hear that the officer on
post was instructed to cooperate with
the keepers of these disorderly places?"
Il do not know of any special instruc-
tions issued to officers The officers are
selected especially for the posts and
know what. is expected of them"
Those places were to be protected, in
other words?"
Yes, sir, that's So
Capt Schmittberger said, with a smile
that he had been made roundsman by
Commissioner Wheeler because he had
found Wheeler's lost dog.
tain?"
Commissioner Voorhis.''
Did you pay anythlng?"
Not cent. l made the highest per-
centage in the examination and had not
five minutes talk with the commissioner
l did not know | was appointed until the
very same morning"
And you were appointed solely on your
merits?"
YES, sir; and may say here, I believe
Commissioner Voorhis is thoroughly
honorable man and do not believe the
stories about him"
Capt. Schmittberger confirmed all that
has been told by policemen. wardmen,
etc, as to collections from business
houses, policy shops and gambling houses,
for the benefit of the captains, inspectors
and perhaps higher officials. He person
ally paid considerable sums to Capt. Will
liams. That was not the usual custom,
but Capt. Schmttberger said he knew
Capt. Williams well, and he did not see
the need of an Intermediary between
them. He always paid in money and in part
of the same money received as blaCkmail.
He collected about $500 per month from
three pool rooms and ten policy shops.
The pool rooms paid 500 per month each.
The liquor saloons he did not touch. 1t
was understood that their money went
direct to Tammany Hall. He paid Capt.
in command of the Twenty-seVenth pre-
cinct, about 81 500, and said that it was
the custom of the captains to pay the in
spector OF their districts.
Thecaptain said he was transferred be-
cause of a row he had with liquor dealers.
Supt Byrnes instructed the captains to
told us to make arrests for selling drink,
and not make fake arrests. ] made tWen-
ty-two arrests the first Sunday. The presi
dent of the local liquor dealers associa-
ton told the officers who made the ar
rests he would have them transferred
Were they transferred"
President Martin, and I was transferred
too. The liquor dealers complained that
l made too many bona fide arrests and
1 was transferred to the Fifth precinct
Capt. Schmittberger remained but
short time in the Fifth precinct when
he was transferred TO the Ninth and
shortly afterward to the Twenty-second
precinct (Forty-seventh street,. There |
the collection business hourished. Policy
shops paid $40 a month and disorderly |
houses from $40 to $50.
Had you any special order regarding !
the protection of certain disorderiy
houses?"
yes, sir; when I was appointed l (
called upon Commissioner Martin at head /
quarters He mentioned houses on Forty |
sixth street and said l might let them |
alone until the schools were built. When |
the schools were built he said to put them |
out
Martin sent for me to come to headquar- 7
ters l had sent Officer Casey to the house /
of woman named Sadie West, at 234 |
West Firty-first street. THE citizens had |
about the house. When Ca |
sew went to the door the woman told him /
that she was a friend of Commissioner |
Martins and it was better to see him be- |
fore he would do anything. The officer |
told me, and the next day l received a |
message from headquarters from Commls- |
sioner Martin. / went to see him and ne |
asked me did l send man around TO /
Sadie Vests. said l did as / had re- |
csived a complaint about the house. Com
missioner Martin said I should warn the |
officer and apologize to the woman next
5av I protested. but he said / should DO |