New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-25
PRICE THREE CENTS.
SUPT BYRNES AS A WITNESS.
HE MAY BE CALLED BEFORE THE LEXOW
COMMITTEE TOMORROW.
HIS FRIENDS SAY HE Is ANXIOUS TO TELL ALL
THAT he KNOws-THREE SESSIONS TO BE
HELD THIS wEEK-THE COUNSEL
ALI. IN HARMONY


Police Superintendent Byrnes is to be a wit.
ness before the Lexow Committee this week.
He may be called the first witness when the
committee meets in Part Of the Superior Court
tomorrow, or his examination may come later,
but his testimony. whenever it is given. is ex-
pccted to be long and important. Mr.. Byrnes
has been a member OF the Police Department
for more than third Of a century and for
twenty years he has been superior officer Of the
force His long career as inspector in charge Of
the Detective Bureau made his name we'll
known before he became the chief executive
officer Of the department. He has had opportuni-
ties such as no other man has had to know the
ins and outs Of police business, and his executive
ability has been generally recognized
The closest and most intimate friends OF Su-
perintendent Byrnes have declared that he will
speak the truth fully and plainly when he is
witness before the committee; that he has moth
ing to conceal. and that he is ready and willing
to be witness. Since the investigation Of the
Police Department begun. his friends de-
clare, there has been made the most persistent
and exhaustive search for evidence, with which
to smirch his official reputation. For months
the inquiries have been conducted throughout
the city, and the jails and reformatories have
been visited In the hope that some convict might
be found who would give testimony to implicate
the Superintendent Of Police.
CONCLUSION OF SOME OF THE SENATORS.
Members Of the committee have not failed to
notice that the testimony about the Superintend-
ent has been generally in his favor, although
a number Of witnesses called with the
evident design OF attacking his integrity as an
official. 1t is an open secret that some of the
Senators have become well convinced of his
ability and good intentiCrs. and have been so
we'll satisfied that he has had to contend against
Commissioners Inspectors and lower officials in
his efforts To enforce the laws. that they have
come to look upon him a man who might
safely be ntrusted with he reorganization OF the
force under system in which the Superin-
;endent OF Police would have greater powers.
superintendent Byrnes. at the outset Of the
invo ostigation assured his friends that he would
do everything in his power to aid the committee
in its work and that If members of the force
were found to be corrupt he would not raise
finger 10 shield them. He is known to have
made the same statements i'm effect to his sub
ordinates in the department. and they have un-
derstood that they could look for no aid or COM
fort from the Supernte ndent If they impli-
Gated by testimony before the committee.
Under the circumstances, Superintendent Byrnes
will go before the committee in position TO give
valuable testimony affecting the entire depart
ment. 1t is not unlikely that his testimony will
so far corroborate the testimony Of other wit
nesses further to impcate Commissioners
Martin and Sheehan. Inspectors Williams Nc
Avoy and Mclaughlin, and number of the cap
tains Of the force. The testimony against those
officials has already been Of a character 10 brand
them deeply, In the estimation Of the public. and
tho Superintendent's testimony may furnish
abundant corrobora;ion t. make the indictment
and conviction Of these officials necessary and
easy.
MR. LEXOW AND MR.. GOFF.
Senator Lexow had a long consultation with
John w. Goff yesterday afternoon in Mr.. Goff's
office. in the Shoe and Leather Bank Building,
and 1T was understood later that the consultation
in relation to the examination Of Supern-
rendent Byrnes and also in relation to the testi-
mony which might be received from other high
officials II the department. Friends OF Inspector
Williams have declared that he would
"squeal" no matter how direct and positive the
testimony against him might be. With all his
buster. however. Williams may that a
fession like that made by Captain Schmiitberger
will be the only means OF saving him from con-
vction and imprisonment. and he is not exactly
the man who would relish going up the river"
Despite his declared intentions To deny every
thing if he gets on the witness-stand. there has
been a report that ne trying To make terms
by which he could be voluntary witness before
the committee.
To reporters who saw him Immediately after
his consultation with Mr. Goff yesterday after
noon. Senator LeXow said that the committee
probably might sit for three days this week in
open session. and then have executive session
on Saturday to consider the report TO the State
Senate
is superintendent Byrnes to be examined as an
expert! h. was asked.
Il expect that the Superintendents testimony
Will be satisfactory To the public when we are
through with him." he replied with smile
Iv., 'iln h. al Cd a
mtnitX by telling the committee what he knows
about corruption in the Police Department.?
That is a question / cannot answer now. I
do not think we are agreed on thai point My
own impression is that he should not be allowed
70 get immunity.
As TO AN EXTENDED INQUIRY.
Regarding other matters connected with tho
investigation. Senator LeXOw declined to speak
yesterday. AS TO the possibility that the COM
mittee might be authorized To continue the in
vestigation another year. and investigate other
departments Of the city government. he said:
Il may have to make motion in the Senate
touching that subject. and therefore | do not
want to say anything AZ this time. | have no
doubt that IL there is an urgent public demand
for the continuation of the investigation that de-
mand viii have 10 be satisfied In some way. 1t
would be better. perhaps. If the investigation
could be had without compelling Senators 10 give
another year OF their time 10 the work
When Mr. Gof asked about the expected
examination OF Superintendent Byrnes Inspector
Williams ana other high officials OF the Police
Department this week. he said: Il have always
declined to tell in advance what witnesses
expect to examine. and shall not depart from
that RUE now.
''WIll YOU have time to examine any witnesses
except high police oifcials?
The committee probably will have sessions
on wednesday. Thursday and Friday and II Is
probable thar some witnesses other than police
officials will be examined.
Il want to say" Mr.. Goff continued, that
there is bound 10 be some dissatisfaction with
the investigation, because some persons VIII
curse the committee for failing 10 veniate their
pet grievances. There has been the utmost har-
mony among the counsel for the committee. and
there is no truth in a report that Mr.. Moss ana
have had disagreement"