The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-06-05
POLICE PROTECTION.
How New York's Finest" Bleed
Disreputable Houses,
BLAoKMAILIEG EXTRAORDINARY.

The Captains of the Precincts Levied rrib-
ute as Though 1t Were Part Of Their
Omcial Duty - "tnitiatIon Fees" and
Regular Monthly Payments.
NEW YORK, June BIN the police in
vestigation Augusta Thurow, middle
aged woman, testified that she kept dis
reputable house at 20 Second avenue for
four years, and had paid for protection"
both under Captain McCullagh and Cap
tain Doherty. The money was paid to a
man named Bissert under Captain McCul-
lagh, and to Barney" Meehan under
Captain Doherty. Still later man named
Hoch did the collecting. The witness
spoke of each Of these collectors as 'the
ward man"
Mrs. Thurow told about protection
club" which was organized by the girls"
10 insure them against spending the night
In a cell. When they were arrested they
drew on the clubs exchequer for funds to
bri be the sergeants to admit them TO bail.
The girls got 'jugged" so often, however,
! that it broke the bank The witness rented
| at II Second avenue, and paid out good
| deal of money. And l was raided the
very night l took the house" snapped the
witness Then she continued:
Before took the house met Hoch
and he told me the terms would be 81, 600
for the captain and $3.50 for himself
said that was too much, and asked him to
| see the captain. He did so and then said
that the captain wanted $500 down, $50 a
month for protection and $50 to pay off
the debt in installments."
The witness paused andIthen said, scorn-
| fully; THAT is the last / saw of Mr..
| Hoch." The witness said she pawned her
| diamonds to raise money to pay the police
blackmail and when all her money was
| gone she was shut up. She tried to get
some of the money back, without result.
| Then she went to DR.. Parkhurst and told
him how shabbily she had been treated.
| On cross examination the witness gave the
names Of several policemen to whom she
had paid money
Kate Schubert testified that she for
merly owned and ran a disorderly house
at IA Christie street, about three
years ago. Inspector Mclaughlin, then
captain, was in command. He and his
ward man, Burns, called on her and de
manded $500 and assured her Of protec-
tion. She paid it and the ward man called
every month and got $50. Then Captain
Cross, with his ward man, Smith, called
| db uGE nOuSes am Nuo lleW CdpIdlllt ut
said; "fork over the initiation fee" She
paid Captain Cross $780, Ward Man
Smith called every month and collected
$50.
Then came Captain Devery to the Ell
bridge street station with his ward man
Glennan. He called and said: "You know
$500, please" She told him to call in &
few days later. He did, and received the
money in small bills. In return for this
she said, her house was never raided by
the police. Captain Cross was present
and the witness identified him. She said
she had paid 81, 900 for protection.
Mr.. Nicoll wanted to put Captain Gross
on the stand. Mr.. Goff objected, and wa
sustained. 1T may be necessary to pu
every captain on the stand, and Captain
Cross will have his day with the rest,
said Counsel Goff.
"And meanwhile the public will sus
pend judgment" +" said Chairman Lexow
An adjournment was then taken.
Dr. Parkhurst said afterward: ~ regarC
this as a complete justification of my
eharges.' 81 r E
DR. Parkhurst has issued an appeal t
the patrolmen, in which be urges them t.
come forward and tell what they know
about the blackmailing system conducted
by their superiors, and assuring them tha
If they testify they will be amply pro
l tanfad .a