The record-union., 1899-05-18
Testify That a Large Number Are Running
In New York CITY,.
James A. Mahoney, With Whom
Mayor Van Wyck Admitted He
Had Had Business Transactions,
Admits Being Bookmaker, but
Declines to Answer a Question
as to Where He is Conducting
His Rooms.

NEW YORK, May 17-At to-day's
session of the Mazet Investigating Ium-
mittee James A. Mahoney, with whom
Mayor Van Wyck admitted he had had
seine business transactions, was put
through q long series of questions. Ma
honey admitted being a booknaker but
declined to answer the question as te
whether he is conducting poolrooms
here.
Former Police Commissioner Hani!-
ton. whom Mayor Van WycK yesterday
designated a ''blackmailer," declared
that what the Mayor had said was alb
s>nuiely false.
Several witnesses who witnin the past
few weeks have been doing detective
work for Counsel Moss testified that 6
large number of poolrooms are now be-
ing run in New York City.
When the committee resumed its
Sc ssion to-day several heads OF city de-
partnlFGts were on hand early, waiting
70 testify.
Thomas L. Hamilton, formerly a Fo-
lice Commissioner, and who vas yester-
day GcrculCed by Mayor Van Wyck as
a l.ackmailer, was the first witness He
testified that no reason was assigned
for the retirement of Chief Mccullough
nor Was there any accusation or su--
gestion Of inefficiency made asains:
him al the meetings of the board Mr.
Hamilton had insisted upon Mccullough
beir retained.
He denied the statement by Mayor
Van Wyck yesterday that he had used
his official position to coerce the Casino
into payment of a bill. Hamilton also
denied the Mayors statement that he
(the witness) had refused to vote 70,
the transfer of any police officer unless
Mr.. Quigg or Senator Platt were agree
able. He had told the Mayor that he
wished to consult with the leaders OF
his party, and had mentioned Senator
P'att as one, but the consultation he
desired was in regard to passing or a
resolution which defined the powers OF
the Chief to make transfers.
Police Captain Herlihy, whose trans
fer from downtown station to Kirgs
Bridge was said to have been made be-
cause he had made raids on poolroops
was sworn. He said he had no fault to
find with the transfer, but on the other
hand was much pleased with the
change.
Philip Cohen, who had lost money ir
poolrooms and made complaint to the
police, first to a Sergeant and then tc
an Inspector, told the committee of the
trouhle he had in procuring a warrant
for the arrest of the keeper of one OF
the rooms, and that when the warrant
was finally issued the police claimed
to have no power to enter the place by
force, so that when the proprietor was
a1aested there was no evidence upon
which to convict him.
John R. Wood testified tina. as ar
agent for Counsel Moss he had bee il
fifteen poolrooms in this city and had
procured evidence against all of them
In many of the places all kinds of gam
bling games were in progress, such as
faro, poker and craps.
Mr.. Moss called James A. Mahoney
with whom Mayor Van Wyck testified
yesterday he had business transactions
and was Intimate. Mr. Mahoney said
he was in the building and real estate
business. He had been a bookmaker on
the race track He admitted that book
making had been and was still his prin.
cipal business.
When asked if he had an office any,
where in New York, Mahoney said: q
decline to answer, because as a private
citizen and not being an officeholder OF
connected with any department of the
city of New York, dat think thai
you have right to inquire into my
private business"
Mr.. Moss went over the address Of
every Doolroom mentioned by Wood
and Harris, and asked in each case il
Mahoney was interested in it.
Mahoney refused to answer. He ad-
mitted that he had said he was in the
building business, because it looked
better than to have. no business
AT length he was driven into admit
ting that he had been interfered with
by city officials in the conduct of pool
room business here. But. he added
quickly, that was many years ago. How
many he could not remember. The
place was shut up but beyond that
Mahoney had forgotten everything.
When did you give up the poolroon1
business, if you ever gave it up?o thun-
dered Mr.. Moss.
Il decline to answer" said Mahonev
DO you divide the profits of any
poolrooms with any city officials?''
asked Mr.. Moss.
L divide nothing with any city Of
f1clal or with any member of Tammanv
Hall" said Mahoney. mo member of
the police force is interested with me
III any way, shape or form in any
thing
FITZSIMMONS-JE