Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-05-18
ABSOLUTELY FALSE.
Ex-Commissioner Hamilton Be-
fore Mazet Investigation
Denies Mayor Van Wyck's State
ments Regarding His Removal.
Several OF Moss Agents Testify to Frequentinu
Pool Rooms Run as Clubs

OF the MaZet investigating committee
We're not noteworthy in any particular.
no witnesses of any prominence being
with whom Mayor Van Wyck admitted
he had had some business transactions
with, was one Of the witnesses and he
was put through a long series of ques-
tons with reference to his alleged con
nection with pool rooms in this city.
Mahony admitted being boOkmaker.
and admitted also that he had conduct
ed a pool room in this city. some years
ago, but said that il had been closed
by the police He declined. however.
as to whether he still conducted pool
rooms here Very little could be gotten
out of him. Former Police Commits
sioner Hamilton, whom Mayor Van
Wyck. yesterday. designated Il black
mailer" was on the stand for a short
time. and while there declared that
what the mayor had said was absolute
~ false.
Police Commissioner Hess was ques-
toned regarding the dismissal Of Chief
Of Police McCullugh ana acknowledged
that he had voted against McCullagh
because he had an impression that
Mayor Van Wyck wished him to vote
that way. He said that he remember
er the fate Of Police Commissioners
Phillips and Hamilton and he believed
the best thing to 40 was to retain his
position was 10 vote against McCullagh
ana this he did. Several witnesses
We're examined who within the past
few weeks have been doing detective
work for Counsel Moss and they gave
testimony to the number of pool rooms
that are being run in New York City
at the present time. They declared
that the number was large; that no
difficulty was experienced in gambling
in these places at will, and that at no
time was police Interference thought
Of The hearing will he continued. to-
morrow.
Mr.. Hamilton was the first witness.
MIR Hamilton testified that no reason
was assigned for the removal Of Chief
McCullagh. nor was there any accusa-
ton or suggestion Of inefflciency made
against him at the meetings of the
board. Witness had insisted upon Nc
Cullagh being retained Mir. Hamilton
said he had heard the testimony of
the mayor, yesterday, in which the
chief executive said that Hamilton had
used his official position to coerce the
Casino into the payment of a bill and
that this was one of the reasons why
the mayor removed Hamilton from the
police board. Mr.. Hamilton swore that
the mayors statements were "abso-
lutely false" He declared that the bill
the mayor referred to was not settled
until about 80 days after witness was
out of the police board, and that the
license for the Casino was granted
while he was in the board, and that he
voted in favor of granting such license
while the bill was still unpaid
The mayor in his testimony, yester-
day, said that Mr. Hamilton had re-
fused, while in conversation with him
to vote for the transfer of any police
officer unless Mr.. Quigg or Senator
Plat We're agreeable. This statement
Mr. Hamilton, today. denied He also
said the mayor had not threatened to
remove him. Witness admitted that
ne mad told the mayor that he wished
TO consult with the leaders of his par
ty and had mentioned Senator Platt.
but the consultation he desired was in
regard to passing on a resolution
to make transfers
Job Hedges, lawyer for Mr.. HamiI-
ton, corroborated the latter's statement
regarding the Casino bill
Police Captain Herlihy was then
sworn. 1t was brought out yesterday
that Deverey's first official act was to |
transfer Herlihy from the somewhat |
important precinct Of Fifth street to !
Kings bridge. where is little to do. |
Herlihy on the stand said that he was |
much obliged to Deverey for transferr- |
ing him because he was having a better |
time at Kings bridge. Mr.. Moss seem
ed to think that Herihy had changed |
his mind about a good many things |
within recent dates and frankly con-
fessed that he could do nothing with
him.
Phillip Cohen testified that he had
often played in pool room in the
hotel. Cohen said that he
thought he had been cheated and com
planned to the sergeant at the Fifth
police station. That was TWO or three
months ago. A week or two ago. moth
|
Cohen said he went to see Inspector
ross and again complained. Cross
sent for Capt Diamond. who was in
command of the Fifth street station.
Cohen said that he had been taken
o Magistrate Wentworth's police court
and there the clerk had made an at
tempt to give him a warrant ana he
had said TO the clerk that if he did
not issue a warrant he would go be-
ore the MaZet commission Masis-
.rate Wentworth then accused Cohen
If attempting to threaten the court and
old him to get out. Finally a warrant
was issued. but it gave the policeman
no authority to enter the house. Ac-
by the two policemen Cohen
went to the st. Marks pool room. but
their entrance was barred by a law
YER named Goldsmith, who claimed
hat the place was club. Goldsmith
was arrested, but there was no evil
ience against him and that was the
md of the case.
Mr. Moss asked the witness If the
various delays of the police in the case
had not been made with the intention
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