New-York tribune., 1899-06-07
PRICE THREE CENTS.
PRICE ON THE RACK AGAIN.
TESTIMONY AS TO CONDITIONS IN THE
TENDERLOIN.
STRIKING REVELATIONS BEFORE THE
MAZET CoMMIrTEE-sToRIEs OF THE
OWNER OF THE WHITE ELE-
PLANT. AND OF bob"
NELSON

NELSON.
For the most part the Mazet Committee des
voted itself yesterday to investigating Captain
Price and the prevailing conditions In his pre-
clnct Captain Price. when on the stand, has
endeavored to convey the impression tnat ne
has transformed the Tenderioin district into
neighborhood of righteousness. Evidence was
given Yesterday however, which went to show
that Captain Price either had no knowledge OF
what was going on in his own precinct or that
he had endeayored wilfully 10 mislead the COM
mittee 1t was brought out that there are more
gambling houses more bogus clubs more wom-
nfesting the streets and more Illegal resorts
generally at the present time than when Price
was transferred TO the Thirtieth-st. station.
Moreover Il was shown that owners OF these
places were obliged 10 pay for protection or were
else bounded out OF the district by the police
The most important witness Of the day was
John c. Ellis. who until short while ago, ran
the notorious White Elephant In Sixth-aVe.
and owned furnished fathouses in the streets on
the west side OF that thoroughfare. But De-
cause he refused to pay largess for the priv
ilege Of carrying on his unsavory business he
asserts he was harassed by the police and COM
PEELED to leave the district. Ellis has peeh
known in the Tenderlon for a great many years.
Loudly dressed and bedecked with jewelry no
is typical sport; but the story ne told yes
terday was straightforward and convincing.
When Price came into the precinct Ellis said
he was frequently arrested for excise violations
and upon other charges. while policemen were
placed in front OF the White Elephant and his
fathouses to warn people that they were In
danger OF arrest II they went inside. other re-
sorts and flats equally notorious were not guard
Cd IN iQ 10
preached several times by men who announced
their ability to square matters; but the de-
mands made upon him had been so exorbitant
that the negotiations proved abortive.
APPROACHED BY go BETWEENS."
While he had not been approached directly
by the police he told OF various Instances
where go betweens" had made demands upon
him. The first time was when man named
Fitzpatrick introduced him to the keeper OF an
opium Joint" known as George. This man
wanted half the entire receipts OF the White
Elephant for his influence in arranging EIlis's
troubles with the police. He refused the terms.
and then, he testified, he was taken by the
brother of a Police Commissioner to the Gilsey
House to a man whom he did not know by
name but whom he described as being snort,
thickset man with a gray mustache. This man
wanted a third interest in the witnesses busi-
ness This offer was not accepted and a little
later ex-Alderman Charles B. Waite. according
to the witness had promised to settle matters
for $3.50 month. Ellis agreed to this ana
paid the first instament But as the ponce
persecution had continued he wrote TO waite
who replied that he had paid over the money
but had been thrown down" The witness has
tried to get his money back. but had been told
by a magistrate that his only remedy was TO
recover by civil process. Finally. Ellis said no
had been advised by the managing clerk OK
Guggenheimer, Untermyer Marshall 70 80
and see a certain lawyer named Thompson, In
Wall-st. Ellis did so. He had told Mr. Tnomp-
son his troubles. who thereupon had Informed
Ellis that for a retaining fee OF $1,000 matters
could be fixed up" This amount the witness
had refused to pay. and had given up his busi-
ness.
Ellis said II was well understood that no re-
sort could do business In the Tenderloin unless
there was some prominent individual behind tie
place For instance the reputed hacker OF the
Haymarket he said was "Al' Adams. while
Guggenheimer, Untermyer Marshall. he add
ed were said to back the Bohemia Club.
The witness stated also that there were more
gambling and dsorderly houses In the Nine
teenth Precinct now than when Captain Price
took command. Despite the energy which the
captain has asserted he has devoted to clearing
up his precinct, Ellis testified that the Tender
loin was thoroughly wide open," as the term
was usually applied In fact, the coniman un-
derstanding throughout the district vas that
vicious and illegal resorts could be maintained
II the owners were willing TO pay for protection.
Before he left the stand the witness made a
direct charge of bribery against Detective
Becker. In the fall of 1897. when Captain
ch had charg Of ne precinct Becker
had come 10 him and said Il want 10 run your
furnished fathouse at No. $50 West Thirty
ninth.st I will run il as like. but don't you
go near IT," The witness said Becker told him
he wanted to get $15 month out or the house
Witness had agreed TO the G. -ngement. Becker
had run the house and Ellis had not gone near
the place except to send collector 70 take the
rents. Mr.. Hoffman moved that transcript OF
this evidence be sent at once to the District
Attorney, with view TO the indictment on
Becker The committee instructed counsel TO
act upon Mr. Hoffman's suggestion.
PRICE MORE RESPECTFUL.
Captain Price was In the room during the
whole OF the day but. although he frequently
endeavored 10 intimidate witnesses by inter-
rupting them and handing written questions TO
Mr. Mazet to be put to the witnesses his de-
meanor toward the committee was far more re-
spectful than 1t has hitherto been To Mr.. Moss.
however he still surly and fippant and he
was more than once reproved by Mr.. Mazet for
the impertnent answers he returned TO some
of the numerous questions which Mr.. Moss In
cidentally asked him in the course OF the day.
His lawyer, II. c. Henderson. who made such a
woful exhibition OF himself last Friday, was
not permitted 10 be present Before beginning
the taking Of evidence Mr.. Mazet announced
that as the privilege which had been grantro +
to Mr.. Henderson and Mr.. OSullivan had oeen
shamefully abused, the committee nenceloyn
would not allow witnesses TO be represented ~
counsel.
Jacob b. Woolley dealer in Oriental cuhios
said that few years ago he missed Qn scyerA
occasious goods from his store at NO. 123 Fifth
ave He had complained OF the theftss ana
Price then a detective, was assigned 20 investi-
gate Just about that time man had onere0