The herald., 1894-10-10
Corruption Among the New
York Police.
Large Sums Given officers for Spe-
cial Protection.
A Big PoIiceman's Locust Broken Over
Small Citizon's Head = Mr.. For
gets Experimentation
OF the Finest.

early in the courtroom were several
police captains whose faces had not
been seen there before. A host of fresh
witnesses was also on hand, including a
man who had wanted 20 be policeman
and was swindled in the attempts an
ron molder, who says he was robbed by
policeman, and an amateur detective,
who will have lots to say about the scan.
dal in the Essex market police court.
Warden Ledwith, OF the police court
prison, told the committee about cer>
tain abuses in those institutions which
ho was investigating.
Agent Forget of the French steamship
line testified that his company paid $500
to the police for extra services. The
policemen on the pier were paid $40 a
week. and $500 went to the other police
officials. One OF the company's books
which was produced showed that in
November, 1891, $500 had been paid for
Especial services on the pier"
Mr.. Forget could not remember to
whom the money was paid.
Mr.. Goff asked Mr.. Forget il Police
man Degan had been removed from the
pier because be refused to divide witt
the captain the money he received.
Degsn was present in court and Mr.
Forget identified him.
Policeman Lewis Degan testified that
he was stationed on the French line
pier for 10 years, and the company paid
him $40 q week for working over time
and on his days off. In 1891 Wardeman
Vail told him he must pay the $40
week to Captain Schmittberger. Degsn
refused, saying he was already paying
the captain $5 g week. and the latter
would soon want his whole salary. Hs
was promptly removed to another beat
All the policemen, he said, shared
their extra money with the captains.
Superintendent West, of the French
Line company, testified to Degan's
efficiency. When Degan was transferred
Wardsman Cannon demanded the $40
a week formerly paid Degan. Weat de-
clined to give it without receipt, but
q receipt was refused. Witness pro-
tested against Degsn's removal. Cap
tain Schmittberger said the officer had
been insubordinate end was in league
with smugglers. superintendent West
said that the charge was ridiculous.
William II. Schatt, passenger agent,
followed, but he did not know OF any
thing of his own knowledge.
Mr.. Forget was recalled and under
adroit questioning by Mr.. Goff, admit
ted that friends OF Captain Schmitt-
berger had approached him and begged
/ him not to testify that Schmittberger
got $500, or it would ruin him.
He professed to not remember who
had interceded for the captain. 1t was
represented to him that Captain Schmitt.
berger would be dismissed if the $500
story came out, and for the sake of the
captains family, Mr.. Forget was urged
to keep it dark"
Mr.. Forget apologized for his imper-
feet knowledge Of the English language.
He said he did not want to 90 on record
as saying he had been approached only
in Captain Schmittberger's behalf.
Some one, whom he could not remem-
ber, had in the last few weeks asked
him not to testify against any police
officer. A man named Wolf two weeks
ago had asked him not to testify against
Schmittberger. Mr.. Goff and Mr.. Lex>
ow wanted to CLEAN further particulars
about Wolf, but they failed. Mr.. For
get only knew Wolf had spoken to him
on several occasions.
Mr.. Forget's impression was to the
effect that seven men shared in the
$500. There his impression" failed.
Mr.. Goff logged the witness' memory
and brought to mind the fact that he
had written a private letter to the di-
rectors of the company regarding tha
expenditure OF the $500. He had kept
no copy OF the letter and the contents
had escaped his memory.
Senator Lexow asked the witness to
cable for the return OF the letter.
THAT would cost too much; 25 cents
q word" said Mr.. Forget.
Counsel Golf then got the witness to
admit that he had written the list oil
seven and told his cashier to divide the
$500. Then Mr.. Golf laid cable mes-
sage blank before the witness.
Nov write the instructions for the
return of the letter; we will pay the
tolls" said Mr.. Goff.
Mr.. Forget begged to be excused.
"Will you swear you don't know who
got the $500?" asked Mr.. Goff.
NO."
Come here tomorrow after you have
slept over the testimony" was the
counsel's parting shot, as the witness
WAS leaving the stand.
Policeman John Corcoran was called
Mr.. Goff had o broken ''locust" in his
hand and charged the giant policeman
with breaking the club over q small
mans head. The small man
was made to stand beside
the policeman, who lowered above
him. The policeman denied he had
broken his club on the prisoners head
He said he had shattered the locust
acroas the iron railing which the small
man had grasped.
Edward Quinn, the small man, 10 O
laborer. His clothes were torn in rags
! by the rough treatment he had received
at the big policeman's hands. He said
| Corcoran struck him in the face when
he tried to talk.
| James Clifford testified to the brutal
treatment Quinn had received. When
the witness protested, he was himself
dubbed, kicked and thrown into q cell.
James Hughes had tried to buy a
roundsman off from preventing dog
fight. He paid the officer So. He had
thought Herman Wise WAS the rounds
man, but be now thought otherwise.
Roundsman Wise was called and de-
MED the incident. He also denied that
he had threatened to commit suicide in
the presence of Police Captain Wester.
welt il charges were pressed against him
to the effect he had entered citizens
hcuse and held improper relations with
q woman of the family.
Nellie Weinberg testified that che of.
fered Alderman "Silver Dollar" Smith
$50 for protection for coffee saloon with
lady borders. "Silver Dollar" Smith re.
| fused the money.