New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-17
EXCISE INSPECTORS ON TRIAL.
THE COMMISSIONERS TAKE TESTIMONY ON THE
CHARGES AGAINST sTERNBERGER AND LION
THE I.rBENOws DISAPPEAR

THE COMMISSIONERS TAKE TESTIMONY ON THE
CHARGES AGAINST sTERNBERGER AND LION
THE IIBENOws DISAPPEAR.
The Excise Board me, shortly after 1880 o'clock
yesterday to hear the charges made by the Park
hurst Society against Excise Inspectors Julius
Steinberger and Edward Lion. alleging that they
received brides from saloon-keepers. Otto Irving
Wise appeared for the accused inspectors.
Commissioner OF Accounts Terry the first
witness called. and he handed the Board a tran
script Of the testimony given by John Libenow
and his wife. Mary. before the Commissioners OF
Accounts. July c. They were the witnesses who
gave unwilling testimony 10 the effect that they
had paid two excise inspectors money in con-
necton with the application for license for the
premises No. Is Second-ave. last March.
Soon after the opening OF the hearing the an
nouncement made that the Libenows had dis
appeared. and an active search for several days
by subpoena had failed TO find them.
Mr.. Wise objected to the Introduction of the
transcript as evidence. because 1t had been taken
when the accused men were not present. and II
was not competent. The Commissioners allowed II
to be introduced but said they would take IT out
when Libenow and his wife appeared before them,
in case they were found. Mr. Dennei. the Park
hurst Societys agent, swore 10 investigating the
case at the request OF W. c. Rehm. When he went
to Libenow's house. in Third-st., Mrs. Libenow
was alone. and she talked to him freely She
told him that her husband had paid Lion and
Steinberger money at various times TO secure a
transfer OF license for a saloon at No % Second
ave A short time afterward the husband came in
and criticised his wife for giving the story away
They both then went before the Commissioner Of
Accounts. after considerable work on his part. and
made oath to the charges contained in the tran
script
William c. Rehm. Of No go East Thirteenth-st..
who started the Investigation. was the next wit
ness. He denied that he Parkhurst agent,
but said that he sometimes acted the part OF
phan ihropist duty he owed 10 the city. He
said he was a piano player BY profession and that
he got tip the matter early In june and called
on Lbenow The latter tod him he paid $40 TO In
spector Lion and that March l6 Lion came TO the
place Second-ave. with another man and intro
duced him a partner. and said he would nave TO
have $40 more. He went 20 his wife and got 20,
and then Lion said that he wanted $40 more for his
partner. and IL was paid.
on or about April the license was transferred.
On June Z, Acting Captain We.gand made COM
plaint against the saloon. He then solicited the
services OF Lion. and The latter wrote him that the
complaint had been withdrawn and that ought TO
satisfy him.
Rehm was closely cross-exaniined by Mr.. Wise,
but his story unshaken. although he stated that
be had no personal knowledge OF the matter, only
what Libenow told him.
After testimony by Acting Captain Welgand as
TO closing the saloon. and officers who had tried
TO find Libenow and his wife. the Commiss oners
adjourned the hearing until tomorrow at 1880
O'clock