New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-19

necessary. because there was no reason to take
into consideration anything outside OF the
nroner. orderly and methodical conduct OF the
investigation.
William ~ Shannon Deputy Commissioner OF
Highways and John ]. Ryan. of the Adueduc'
Commission, were called in turn. and both tes'i-
FED that they gave the auctioneering business OF
their departments TO the firm OF Peter F. Meyer
& Co Neither saw any improperly In this pro-
ced,re. and Mr. Shannon conceded that ne might
have been Influenced by the knowledge that MT
Croker was a partner in the firm.
They were followed the stand by John H.
Campbell, Deputy City Chamberlain He toid
Mr.. Moss that he had never induced the en-
pioyes OF banks 10 obtain their bonds from MT
Freedman's company. nor had he ever INTRO
duced representatives OF the company 10 any
bank off'cer with reference TO bonds. He denied
that he had ever taken any interest whatever III
the company. Then Mr.. Moss. apparently 10
the great surprise OF the witness, produced ana
read a letter which was written under the OIL
cial letterhead Of the Chamberlains Department
II was addressed 10 whom II might concern IN
Producing Percy J. A. Lear. OF the United suites
Fidelity and Guarantee Company. 1t was stateo
in the letter that the writer would apprecia''
any favors which might be granted 10 MI Lef'I
and 10 the company. Mr.. Campbell eomi''eo
that the signature was his, and said thas ne hao
written the letter with City Chamberlain Kec-
mans consent. Mr.. Moss pointed out tha' 'ne
.v,dent nurpose OF the letter was to secure
bonds from bank officers for the Freedman COM
many. He explained that the City Chamber
iaIn,s office selected the banks where the city's
money is deposited.
NJ F
roll and a clerk in the sales department Of the
Consolidated Ice Company. said that his COM
psny sold Ice to the city departments and also
canyassed for business In saloons
ABEI.L SATISFIED WITH DEvERY.
Police Commissioner Henry f.. Abel was the
next witness. His attitude toward Mr.. Moss
was distinctly hostile although he Is one OF the
p.nuh,,can members OF the Police Board. Re-
n,v,nr to the counsel he said at the first meet
ing he attended after his appointment Devery
1eas made Chief In a long series Of questions
tearin~ uron the charges which were then pend
ing arainst Devery Mr.. Abel took the position
TINT ne aid not look upon the Chiefs action In
securing an injunction from the Court which
prevented the charges being tried as any reason
why he should not have voted for Devery. he
took no notice OF those charges. because ne con-
sIdered that they were similar TO those upon
which Devery had previously been tried ana
acquitted He made inquiry into Devery's
fitness before voting for him. as he assumed
that those who had made him Acting Chier mad
assured themselves that he was capable AMI
efactcnt officer. He refuted the insinuaton that
his action had been determined by the knowl-
edge that II he had net supported Devery ne
would lose his appointment
Mr. Abel. like Mr.. Hess. knew nothing about
the existence of poorooms in the city. and was
even inclined to disbelieve the evidence given
before the committee on Wednesday. He wanted
confederation, for the reason. as he explained,
that Mr. Moss's detectives were employed
men" He did agree, however. as result or
personal observation. that intolerabiy vicious
and criminal conditions prevailed on the East
Side and that effort had been made TO
remedy the evils In this part OF the examina-
ton Mr. Moss referred to TIE Death Of Captain
O'Keeffe. who. 1t may be recalled. was killed
accidentally, II was said, by falling down
flight of stairs while attending dinner given
for Martin Engel. Mr.. Moss intimated that
Captain OKeeffe's death was not the result OF
an accident but OF generalization
did you ever hear that Captain OKeeffe was
KILLED." Mr.. Moss asked.
mo" replied the witness.
Don't you know that at this day that neigh
borhood is full Of rumor that has never been
property investigated by the Police Department
that Captain OKeeTe was killed." counsel in
CURED again.
mo"
Killed because lie had a knowledge OF guilty
plot to remove another man from this life, and
Il wasn't safe to let him live with that knowl-
edge?" Mr. Moss persisted
mo. never heard of It, and don't think It
exists Mr. Abel answered
"why don't you think it?''
well there has never been any evidence In
uny tangible way" replied the witness.
Sherlf Thomas J. Dunn was sworn. and
readily admitted that he handed all the fore
closure sales which came to him over to the firm
of Peter F. Meyer Co. The only reason ne
could think Of why he had done this was be-
cause he had known Mr.. Meyer for over twenty
years and knew him TO he a responsible man.
He stated also that all Of the seventy-three en-
'pioyes in his department were bonded In the
Freedman Croker company.
The committee adjourned until 1920 this
morning.