The Portland daily press., 1894-12-27
Inspector Williams Questioned By
The LexOW Committee.
HE THINKS ALL PREVIOUS W.T.
NESsES WERE DELIBERATE LIARS.
He Saws He Was Worth About $4,000
When He Went On the Force-Probably
He Served From Feelings of Patriot
ism-He Denied All Accusations
AGAINST Him.


New York. December 26.-Before the
Lexow committee Inspector Williams was
called. He Joined the police force August
3rd, 1866. He was ship carpenter by trade
and was twenty-four years old at the time.
He was worth $4,000 or $4,000 when he
Joined the force and he owned his own
house in BROOKLYN and six or eight building
lots in Japan. He had not said he would
defy the committee if they asked him
questions about his property. This was the
fifth committee be had been before. The
INSPECTOR said he did not engage in outside
business when he joined the police force.
ssIs there any truth In the rumoI that you
was inter ested in the sale of Hollywood
wh1skey?" "No. sir"
Inspector Williams knew George Norton
since he was child. He was not thief
and bunco steerer. and Norton gave him in
formation by which he tWilliams) was en-
abIed to send river thieves up for fifteen
Years. He admitted that for fifteen years
he had received information occasionally
about thieves from George Norton. who
was not paid by the police. He would swear
that he did not know George Norton
father kept disorderly house in the fourth
ward. Witness said that neithe, he nor any
member of his family had any connection
with the Hollywood whiskey within the last
wear or two. He never heard of the liquor
dealer who displayed Hollywood whsKey
On an was safe from arrest. The witness
admitted that he was eighteen times before
the commissioners on complaints.
"Do you know of other police officials who
answered charges SO oftenS
Eyes, sir, l saw by the papers one officer
was charged thirty-one times"
ibid you ever have an interest in the
Hartman hotel in Whitehall streeta''
'sNo, sir.'' &
The witness denied the testimony of Wit
ness Perkins. who testified when Inspector
Williams was in the street cleaning depart
ment he received bribes of $500 for endors-
ing the departments bills.
sDid the memorialists to tine legislature
lie about youf'
ssThey were mistaken. perhaps. or lied
unwittingly."
ibid Pekins lie unwittingly2"
81 think he lied deliberately"
The Inspector said he supposed the
charges were made against him because he
was police officer twenty-niDe years. i7ss
Ibid you ever hear OF other charges of
corruption brought against your
'tNo, SIR
s'Captain Schmittberger swore he paid you
money!
''He swore to what was untrue"
''Had he reasons for committing perjuryT'
ITO keep out Of the state prison."
''Are you prepared to swear that Captain
Schmittberger swore falsely?"
'Yes, SIR
Ibid he swear falsely; when he testified
that pool rooms fourished in his precinct?'
.sHe reported them closed"
.sIt was your duty to find out if the re-
ports were true?'
1T takes nearly all my time:to do office
duty"
'sDid you ever take the trouble to verify
Schmitt berger's report?"
81 supposed them correct"
.'Then you rest on the captains report?'
ITO great extent. yes."
Don't you know yourself that you often
made false reports when you were in the
Tenderloin2'
mo. sir. l did not"
"Did you ever report disorderly house9"
"Yes, sir, and closed them. too.''
"Can you give me the name Of one dis
orderly house suppressed?''
The Inspector paused moment and then
said ne could not remember.
Mr., Golf here suddenly asked for adjourn
ment until tomorrow morning.