Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-09
MAzET WORK BEGINS.
New York Legislative |nVesti-
cation Opens
CHIEF DEVERY ON THE STAND,
Launching of the Attack on GOtham'S
Police Department.
DEFINITION OF wIDE-OPEN TOWN.
Three Charges Against Devery Offer
ed I'm decentralization That
He las Systematically Permitted
Violations of the Law.
DEFINITION OF wIDE-orEN TOWN
Violations Of the Law.

NEW YORK, April s.-The seven menu
bers of the Mazet Legislative Investiga-
ton Committee began their work of pry-
ing into the records of the Police Depart
ment and other local administrative Off
ces to-day. After several minor witnesses
a been called. a number Of them failing
TO make their appearance. Chief-of-Police
William ). Devery was called to the
stand. and his testimony was the most
important of the day, as IT signiied the
launching Of the attack upon the Police
Department. After telling about his va
rious promotions, the witness admitted
that there was an untried charge against
him when he was made chief, in Febru-
airy. 1897. The Chief was compelled to ad-
nit that the charge had been held up on
a temporary stay. and then said he had
never been required to pass a ciyil-service
examination.
Mr.. Moss then sprang something of n
surprise on the witness. by announcing
that he offered in evidence three charges
which had been standing against the
Chief OF Police for some time, ana none
OF which had ever been wiped out, either
by dismissal or proof Of innocence. These
charges were for neglect OF duty, for taxi
ing a bride Of 500. and for neglecting to
close disorderly houses when their exis-
tence had been brought to his attention.
NEW YORK wide OPEN LONG.
Mr.. Moss put chief Devery on record
when it came to an Interpretation of the
expression "A wide-Open town" for the
Chief said that New York had been wide
OPEN" IN the general acceptance Of the
expression, ever since he had been a boy.
Mr.. Moss asked the Chief If it was not
true that he had stood for hours on a
street-corner while the law was being
violated behind his back, while pool
rooms were fiourishing on one side OF the
street and questionable resorts nearby.
The Chief answered that he had no evil
dence of any houses running in violation
of the law, and that ii he had he would
have given them police attention" long
ago.
Mr.. Moss then went INTO a detailed list
of establishments that are known To be
kept running at all hours OF the night,
and asked the Chief why he had not
closed them up before. Not receiving any
satisfactory answer. Mr.. Moss then ask
Ell CnleI DeNefN why ne dllONtd Il GER
tain house in the Upper Broadway dis
trict TO continue its existence, although
there were almost daily complaints from
persons Of refinement living in the imme-
date neighborhood. The reply was that
never had there been obtained sufficient
evidence TO warrant the arrest of the
woman who rdHs the house. There could
be- no police Interference until proof posi-
tive was secured.
POLITICAL INFLUENCE.
Then Mr.. Moss asked the witness If It
was not because OF the political influence
Of the woman proprietor hat tine police
were held back. Deyery denied that this
was so.
The question of allowing We periodicals.,
which circulate arodnd the Tenoerloin
District. TO continue publication was then
put to Devery. Mr.. Moss asked the Chief
what had been done towards suppressing
them. and why some action had not been
taken. The chief said that these papers
had been toned down considerably. and
that he had called the attention Of An
thony Comstock to them, but he was
slightly mixed as TO the particular occa-
siOns on which he reminded Mr. Com
stock Of their circulation.
FRANK CROKER.
No other witnesses of Importance were
examined. but Frank Croker's name was
called. He was not present, but later
Mrs. Richard Croker called at the court
house. and informed Mr.. Mazet that her
son was out OF the city.