The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-17
New York's Mayor Before the
Mazet Committee.
GAMBLING IN NEW YORK
committee Counsel Moss Asked Cues
tions Which Implied That the
Mayor Was Interested
in Pool Games.

| Wyck was in the witness chair before
the commission appointed to investi-
gate the workings of the municipal de-
partments. He was questioned as to
whether he consulted Croker regarding
| the conduct of the government and
| fatty denied that he did so. Revert
| ing to the subject of quarters for de-
| partment officials, Colonel Moss asked
| the mayor if he did not know the build
| ing to which the health department had
| been assigned was not fire proof.
| There is not a fireproof building in
the city," replied the mayor.
Van Wyck denied that he had been
elected, and said he was chosen by the
people.
"Who is there in the organizatio
that has more power than Croker?"
asked Moss.
! have" replied the mayor.
Have you done a single thing con-
trary to the wishes of Croker?" asked
Moss.
Il don't know said the mayor.
You have never been called to ac-
count?"
II cannot be called to account, except
tribunal. No individual can call me to
account"
In answer to question if it was con-
trary to his notion of political ethics
that there should be a leader of a.
party whose voice should have great
significance and weight with the chief
executive, the mayor said tartily
You'd better call Senator Platt and
ask him that question. He knows more
about leadership than 7 do"
The mayor declined to answer fur
ther in this respect. The mayor said
he had dismissed Chief McCullogh be-
cause he thought he was not fit man
for the head of the police force. Po-
lice Commissioners Phillips and Hamil-
ton We're also removed because he be-
lieved they were unfit. Phillips had
been indicted and the ma yor wrote to
him that he must seek a speedy trial
or be removed. The latter happened
Hamilton had told the mayor that he
would not consent to the transfer Of any
member of the police force without pre-
Vlously consulting with Senator Platt
II told him." testified the mayor. that
the police department could not be run
from Washington"
The mayor also said Hamilton "black-
mailed the Casino" Hamilton's firm
according to the mayors testimony,
had claim against that theater and
Hamilton, as a commissioner, had re
fused to grant the Casino a license I'M
til the bill was paid The mayor said,
however, that he had only hearsay evil
dence against Hamilton.
The mayor said that from the rumors
he believed that just before Hamilton
was released a combination was being
formed between Hamilton, Quigg, Nc
Cullogh and Gibbs to sell positions on
the police force. That was just prev-
GUS TO Hamiiton's removal. In an in
terview with McCullogh he had told
the chief Of police that he was a liar
when the latter had stated that he
knew nothing about the politics of any
police inspector or captain. Any chief
OF police said the mayor, must know
the politics of his officers. The mayor
said that if Devery was as bad as Nc
Cullogh he ought to be 'kicked out
too
Whether Devery was better than Nc
Cullogh the mayor did not know He
had tried to find Out, but, about
all he knew was that the city
was In more orderly condition
the city was in more orderly condition.
than it ever had been in his memory
and that the laws were better enforced
The mayor was questioned about his
personal experience regarding the i'm
morality in the city, and the mayor re-
torted that Mr.. Moss was morbid about
vice.
Have you any idea how many pool
rooms there are in the city of New
York;" asked Mr.. Moss.
Il don't know that there Is a single
room" was the reply.
The mayor said that he knew James
A. Mahoney and had had business deal
ings with him 10 or IL years ago in
Texas. He had seen him several times
lately
Have you ever heard that your
friend Mahoney is the chief of the
greatest pool room syndicate in this
city," asked Mr.. Moss.
"I knew he made books on the race
tracks," replied the mayor.
Did you know he was running rooms
and receiving bets in those rooms in
New York city,"
"No.' The mayor had never heard
that Mr.. Mahoney. Mr.. Carroll and Mr.
Sexton were Jointly interested in pool
rooms.
Have you meyer heard sneered Mr.
Moss, that a gentleman named Van
Wyck was interested in them?"
For the first time the mayor was
aroused. "That is absolutely false" he
shouted. He wanted to know who told
Mr.. Moss anything of the kind.
''These things are not easily proved"
retorted the counsel.
II never had any connection with any
illegal calling anywhere in the world"
shouted the mayor. You knew that l
was not interested in pools when you
asked the question. You knew that,
and you wanted to bring it out for the
purpose of creating the impression that
I was. I demand that you bring out
the evidence here and show that I am
connected with pool rooms anywhere
in the world or with anything else of
an illegal character, and l think the
chairman of this committee ought to
enforce that request"
Mr.. Moss told the mayor to wait a |
day or two with the committee and |
he would learn something that he EVIL
1ently knew nothing about now. The |
mayor insisted that MIR. Moss be ma lie |
. call a witness to prove the insinua-