The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-05
Agents of the Society for Prevention of
Cruelty to Children Charged with
Levying Money for Protection"
STORIES OF TWO WOMEN
One Forced to Pay Tammany's P0-
lice from SO, 900 to $4,000,
And Another advised" to Drop Her
Suit Against Lawyer-A Wardman
Who Got $50 Each Month.

NEW YORK, Oct. 4-"Commodore Gerry
has sailed in here under full blast, and is
now running down this committee because,
in a stray puff of wind. We ran across his
bowsprt yesterday. / would respectfully
suggest that when he comes before this
committee he come with a pilot who Is
familiar with the rocks and shoals, with
which he is evidently unfamiliar"
1t was in this facetious and nautical fash
ion that chief counsel Golf referred to the
refusal of Commodore Gerry. president OF
the Society for the Prevention OF Cruelty
to Children TO take an oath at the hear
ing to-day. Mr.. Gerry had prepared long
typewritten statement, and he insisted upon
reading it. Mr.. Goff insisted that the evil
dence presented to the committee must be
sworn to. Then there was a war OF words
Mr.. Gerry accused the members and coun-
sci Of the committee of assaulting the work
of the society. Mr.. Goff insisted that the
society had not been attacked, but he
thought that the powers given to Mr.. Gerry
and his assistants were arbitrary. Mr.
Gerry said that Mr.. Goff was trying to
make political capital out of the attack
the name Of the chief counsel having been
suggested for Mayor by the anti-Tammany
organs at a meeting last night. Mr.. Con
retorted that If he was a candidate, that
Mr.. Gerry. whose name has been men
toned in this connection, would do well TO
look after his own chances Mr. Gerry
finally went away without reading his
statement, and the regular examination Of
witnesses continued
The clubbing by Policeman Dunn yestepl
day of Thomas Lucca was taken up by the
committee. Lucca's employer testified TO
his good character, and Lucca told his
story Policeman Dunn swore that Lucca
attacked him before he used his club. The
policeman found it difficult to explain why
ne used so much force.
Then colored woman told a sensational
story which implicated Captain Schmitt-
berger and some OF his men. She was Sarah
Brown, of West Thirty-fourth street, who
has a suit for damages against Isaac Cohen,
a lawyer. Another woman had advised her
to drop the suit against Cohen, as he was
a friend of Captain Schmittberger. The
Captain, she said, would arrest her. Later
drop the suit One of the policemen tried
to crirninaEy assault her daughter. Then
Mrs Brown said she was arrested for
keeping a disorderly house and policeman
would settle for $500. She told how a Gerry
agent once threatened to put her child
away unless Sne gave MIN 900.
LITTLE WOMAN IN BLACK.
At the afternoon session a little woman
dressed in black took the stand. Mr., Goff
prefaceJ her examination with remark
able statement. This morning. said he,
IAN attempt was made to get this woman
out of the country" Mr.. Golf did not go
into details, though. He drew from the
witness how she had lavlshed her money
on ex-wardman Frank Wilson, formerly
under Captain Allaire. She was the keeper
Of house of illfame on Elizabeth street.
Under threats of pulling the house, he
Sot from her about everything she pos
sessed. She furnished his house, bought a
silver set, diamond rings for his wife and
clothing for his children. Wilson, she said
resigned from the force the day the COM
n,ittee opened its campaign. He was now
living IN Philadelphia.
ihen came sensation. Inspector Nc
Laughlln's name was dragged in. Nc
Laughlin was formerly captain of. the
Eleventh precinct. The woman swore that
turns under Captain Mclaughlin. Every
month she paid $50 to Burns. When Burns
wanted diamond stud he got $le5 from her
10 purchase il. She said she was now bro
ken down and penniless. Her money had
gone into the police Golfers Referring to
the Gerry society agents. she said they
girls under age were kept. Mr. Goff made
the most of this bit of testimony She
told how Captain Cross had trapped Gerry
AGENTS Becker and Finn when they took
$500 from her. The men were brought to
trial Becker was acquitted, but Finn was
sent to prison for nine months. She said
Becker was the son-in-law of SuDerintend-
ent Jenkins. Of the society. When she left
New York witness opened a saloon in New
ark, and was raided by the police She
went to Captain Cross and he sent Alder
man Smith. Of this city. TO Newark, and
the police there gave her protection.
This morning" she sa-u, "a man came
I'D to me and said: You are subpoenaed
to 60 before the Lexow committee
How do you know asked
know he answered You go right
up to Inspector Mclaughlin and he will
buy you off. Don't go before the Lexow
committee
Il refused his advice" said the witness.
When asked by Mr. Com about how much
she had paid TO the police, she answered
From 5000 to $1,000"
Warden James w. Ledwith. of Jefferson
Market prison. was then hauled over the
Goals for visiting David Pender, a green
goods man. on Blackwells island. Fender
was mentioned in the testimony of Apple
gate, and ii appears that the warden, who
is friend of detective Sergeant Hanley,
interested himself to get a statement from
Pender which would help Hanley. He was
taken to task for improper practices in his
prison. He was charged with favoring GER
tain lawyers. and that the beer can was
permitted to be rushed" at night At this
point adjournment was taken until Tues
day.