The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-06-07
Witness Describes His
Experiences.
~
~
Another Makes Charges Against
Counsel Moss.

~scW AOAAt 00ud u -1nG Abo8tuDAJ Cotn-
mittee appointed to investigate alleged
Irregularities in the government Of New
York city resumed It's sessions today.
Mr.. Henderson, counsel for Police
Captain Price. was ref used admittance to
the committee's. room by the door keeper
who said he was noting under orders
from the commission.
At the opening of the session Chair
man Mazet made statement to the effect
that the committee believed that priyi-
leges rendered by 1t to provide counsel
have been abused, and that the commit
tee had decided to refuse sreafter the
privileges heretofore granted to counsel.
That is, this committee will NOT permit
counsel, representing persons under ex-
animation to participate in the examina-
tion. -
Mr.. Hoffman, the minority member of
the committee said while In general he
was in accord with the majority of the
committee he believed thatz the heads
of the departments of the city government
should have the right to have been repre-
sented by counsel. Jacob ID. Wooley, a
dealer In oriental curios was the first
witness. He said that some years ago be
missed goods from his store and conn
plai1ed to the Thirtieth street station
house about 1t. Detectives were sent to
him, among them, he thought, the
present police captain, Priee. Later q
man came to his store and tried to sell
him for "a a pawn ticket ON vase. He
went to the pawn shop, saw that the vase
was not one Of his but notified the police
that he thought 1t had been stolen from
some one else. He saw the same vase
afterwards at another oriental goods store
and he asked the proprietor Of that store
where he had obtained 10. The reply was.
the witness said that Captain Price had
left 1t. after trying to sell 1t. The vase
was said to pe worth at least $75
The witness said he bad taRen Price to
the pawn shop and had shown him the
vase, telling him he thought 1t had been
stolen.
Captain Price was here allowed to
make statement. He said that the
felony book would show that he had az
rested man for stealing this particular
vase, that the man was convicted aud
sent to the penitentlary for one year.
..Captain Price said he thought that the
pawn brokers' book would show that the
vase had been sold as unclaimed property.
Correcting himself, Captain Price said
that 1t was plate and not a vase to
which Mr.. Wooley had drawn his atten-
tion. MIR. Wooley denied this, contend
ing that 1t was vase
Lewis q. Wolf Of No. 8 Eldrige street,
was called. He said he had made CON-
plaiuts to the police especially during the
last two weeks of a billiard and pool
room at No. IL Eldridge street. In the
rear Of this billiard room. he said. there
is a gambling house. He said the place
Tod I,v
rorize the neighborho3d. Last Wednesday
he said, man named Harris was stopped
byNfour toughs who refused to let him
leave his house to go to the synagogue
unless he paid them tribute. MIR. Wolf
told of a number of other instances of
rowdyism. The witness said that the
police never interfered, even when re-
peated complaints were made. He said
there was many disorderly houses in the
district and that young boys were en-
ployed TO Distribute cards giving names
and addresses of dlssolute women,
Doan j. Osgood, owner of Nos. 270 and
272 West 39th street, testified that when
he bought. these fiat buildings he believed
the neighborhood to be a respectable one.
but on learning that it was mot, he ap-
pealed to the police. without result. He
went to see Or. Parkhurst about 1t and
meeting OF property holders was held
to take action. As result the grand
jury took action, and indictments were
secured against Charles Moffatt and 9TH
ers, who were accused of leasing property
for immoral purposes.
1t was shown that two of the indiot.
ments were dismissed on statements of
Capt. Price that convictions could not be
obtained. MIR. Osg God then told of mest.
ing Capt. Price recently in front of the
Fifth Avenue hotel, when Price SO
abused him, he said, that he had to take
refuge in the hotel. gu
Capt. Price attempted to ask the wit
ness several questions rejecting unfa-
vorably on Osgood's past, but on objeo.
tions BY MIR. Hoffman, they were ruled
out.
Mr.. Moss interrupted to ask Capt.
Price what he had meant by saying that
Moffatt was raiiroaded.
"I mean he was convicted on perjured
testimony" said Capt Price.
H.sWho perjured himselfp'
"That decline to say just now. will
tell you later when have consulted GER
tain records"
Mr.. Moss pressed Capt. Il Price for a re.
ply as to what the perjury was, but except
TO say thai witnesses were hired TO per-
lure themselves the witness would make
no reply. The chairman instructed him
to answer, but without result.
James I. Raymond, manager of the
Oriental goods store. referred to by MIR.
Wooley IS the possessor of stolen vase,
testified that he remembered the vase in.
distinctly. As he remembered 1t, how.
ever, the vase had been returned to them
along with a number of articles stolen
from his firm. He was not sure that Capt.
Price had brought in She vase He be-
Leved Capt. Price had helped his firm
TO recover stolen property at about the
time of tie vase incident.
John z. Ellis, proprietor OF the Whits
Elephant saloon, testified that he bad
been arrested quite frequently by CEt.
Price or his men on cbaroa of excigf VIC