Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-04-11
New York Chief of Policies
Humi|iating Admission.
Cannot Close the Poolrooms But Do
ing the Best He Can.
Declines to Let Attorney Moss Go Ito
His Private Matters.

present and sensational developments
were expected. Young Croker was on
the stand the greater part of the morn
ing session. He testified that he had
paid ST. 200 to enter the Roeblng Fire
Proof Co., and was drawing a salary
of $4,000 a year, while learning the bus
mess He first stated that he had Civ
en- for his 10 shares Of stock a check
for ST. 900 but when asked to produce
the cancelled check. he admitted that
the stock had been paid for in cash fur
nished by his father. He told of hav-
ing been presented with $4,000 worth of
stock in the United Co, because they
knew we had lots of friends in rail-
roads and such places
Chief Devery, upon being called TO
the stand asked Chairman Mazet for
protection against Attorney Moss go
ing into anything except his Devery's)
record as chief of the police and public
matters Devery claimed that Moss
was taking advantage of his position 10
20 behind the supreme court of which
he was an officer. Devery objected to
the dragging in Of old charges but stat
cd his willingness To be questioned rela-
tive to his work as chief of police.
D'N''
insisted that Devery should answer the
question as to what was the nature of
the charges on which he was tried be-
fore Justice OBren. Devery stated
that he did not recall and referred
them to the court records. Mr.. Moss
asked many searching questions tend
ing to lead up to the old charges, but
the witness insisted that he did not re-
49, |inn nnNrn1sxv
MIR. Moss, | have never demanded or
accepted 81 from anyone to do anything
or to leave any duty undone. | have
never taken dishonest dollar in my
life. ana | defy anybody on that. and
by advice of counsel | shall refuse TO
answer any questions about my private
affairs
Mr.. Moss asked why. even while the
committee was sitting in session. the
pool rooms We're running all around.
He stated he had in his pocket money
that his investigators had won in the
pool rooms. Dcvery said his men were
looking after it He added that If
Mr.. Moss would make a specific COM
plant he would have the men arrest
ed. In answer TO the question why
with the money and men at his COM
mand he was unable to close the pool
rooms Devery said he did the best he
could. Devery was unable to tell any
thing about the arrest which might
have or might not have occurred in
pool rooms and police cases within the
last three months Everything he re
ferred to the police records. Finally
Mr. Moss asked: What do you do for
your salary. chief"
Il look after the force as a whole.
replied Devery.
The chief promised he would try and
stamp out pool rooms, policy shops and
massage" establishments to which
Mr. Moss drew his attention by refer
ring to newspapers. Mr.. Moss insin-
uated that some one was holding the
chief back from doing his duty and
Devery said emphatically II am the
chief Of police for the people" 1t VAS
the want of evidence that prevented
him from making arrest.
You dare stand here" said Mr..
Moss. lin the face of this whole city
and say you cant close 4 lot of miser-
able pool rooms?'
The chief said he would try and close
them. He Strenuously denied that he
was himself interested in pool rooms,
or that there We're men prominent in
the city government who were con-
nected with them. Devery said his
force amounted to about 1900 men and
its resources to $l2.00OO0o.
Mr. Moss said DpVcry'S friends
Timothy Dry Dollar" Sullivan and
Assemblyman Patrick H. Roche had
been gambling in John Kelleys day
after day. since former police raid.
Devcry said Moss knew more about
that than he did.
Questioned regarding the alleged
suicide joint of McGuirk, on the
Bowery. and asked why he did not
discipline Capt. Diamond for not sup
pressing it, Devery said Diamond
done the best he could
Did YOU ever hear of the time when
one man became interested in racing
horses and on one little word from him
pool rooms in New York closed vi
Tight" asked Mr.. Moss.
II never did" said Dcvcry.
And you cannot imagine VII" that
man was. can you
NO sir.
You never heard Mr.. Cookers name
mentioned in connection with that
fact?"
mo sir
Suppose Mr. Croker should command
YOU. today to close up the pool rooms
do you think it would be done" demand
cd Moss
lie would NOT make such commands
on me. | am here for the people, def
antly replied the chief
Thomas Walker testified that an in
dictment was pending against him Owe
the ireland" accident in this city. -
which the Ireland building collapsed an,
caused loss of life. He said John II
Parker, a builder. Murray. the foreman
Buckley, the building inspector. ana Ben
rcns the architect, We're also indicted.
Have any of these persons been tried 2
asked Mr. Moss.
Not TO my knowledge" SAID NJ.
Walker None of these Indictments ma
been dismissed
''Mr. Walker. continued Mr. Moss -
want you to tell us about that man VIII
called upon you and wanted money 70
the adjournment of your case
"A man called at my office and wishe
TO see me. | was out and he again cailef
lie merely mentioned that if | wanted ;
get rid of the case he could get rid Of
Tor me. That was three weeks ago q
more.
The man, Mr.. Walker said. was a me
sonal friend of his. He did NOT kim,
Guy. II T.
'.(nnnAatAA