The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-05-17
LOST HIS TEMPER.
Mayor Van Wyck
Doesn't Like Moss
Questions.
NOTCROKER'S SLAVE
Says He, Not the Tam
many Chief, Runs
New York.

ANON LII ~ AIey AhetJO VI 4hOOSAL a.
Van Wyck was on the witness stand TO
day before the Mazet investigating
committee and at the close of the morn
ing session was excused for one week.
At the afternoon session the principal
witnesses were Police Commissioners
Sexton and President York of the po-
lice board. Mayor Van Wyck gave it
as his opinion that the conduct of af-
fairs under the new charter had been
remarkably satisfactory but refused to
express any opinion regarding changes
in the city offices that might tend 70
improve the administration of the city
affairs.
There was not much of note about
the mayors testimony and only on one
occasion did he find reason to make an
out break. This was when he was ques-
toned by Counsel Moss, of the COM
mittee regarding the rumored connec-
ton of "a man named Van Wyck' with
a number of pool rooms. The mayor
became very angry at this and declared
that Mr. Moss had asked the question
for the purpose of "insinuation. He
demanded that if any evidence
was on hand to prove any such cohnec-
ton it should be produced before the
committee.
He denied most emphatically that he
had any connection with any pool
rooms whatsoever, or any Illegal BUSH
ness. He declared that the matter
should not end with his present eXami-
nation but Mr.. Moss should be com
PEELED to produce any evidence he had
that could lead him to such an accusa-
ton In this the mayor was supported
by Committeeman Hoffman, but for the
present the matter will be dropped.
Mayor Van Wyck asserted emphatic
ally also that he had never consulted
with any one regarding the appoint
ments he had made and that he him
self, was the most powerful factor IN
the city administration, that ne was
guided absolutely by his own views AMI
not by those of Mr.. Croker nor any one
else.
The mayor said that he had dismissed
Chief of Police MoCullagh because he
was not fit man for the position, and
that he had removed Police Conmis-
sioners Phillips and Hamilton because
they were unfit. The mayor sad
Hamilton blackmailed the Casino.
Commissioner Sexton in his statement
before the committee, said with ever
ence to the appointment of Chief OF Po-
lice Devery, Il wanted to make Dew
erey chief. Deverey was my frienc ana
l wanted to make him chief of ponce
and 1 retired McCullagh," President
York explained the retirement of Nc
CuHagh by saying that it was case OF
politics and desire to have harmony
in the police department. lie saic'
however. that McCullagh had been
good officer. Both police commission
ers acknowledged that they had heard
of the pool rooms being run in the city,
and said that efforts were being mace
to suppress them. President York adc-
ed, however, that gambling had always
existed in New York and that n ms
opinion it always would exist Inc
hearing was adjourned till tomorrow.
Answering a question, the mayor said
he had never seen any signs OF pool
rooms in the city. He knew James A:
Mahoney, and had seen him several
times lately.
Have you ever known that your
friend Mahoney is the chief OF INC
greatest pool room syndicate IN this
city?' asked Mr.. Moss.
II 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 never heard that Maho-
new. ME. NdIIOll anu NIL h2~-ANN-N
Jointly interested in pool rooms
And YOU never heard" sneered Mr.
Moss. "that a gentleman named van
WyclS was interested in themT
dThat is particularly false" shouted
the MAYOR. He wanted to know VINO
told ny Moss anything OF the KIND.
These things are not easily
proved. 4" retorted the counsel
@That is the way they make their
living" referring to the newspaper
men. ''They have to do it or they can
live in the newspaper business. Inc
mayor said he would make his living
the same way if he couldn't do it any
other way"
by telling flbs,'' asked Mr.. MOSS SIS
Il think SO" said the mayor. How
ever, he said that he was teiilng tue
truth while on the stand, and reiter-
ated the statement that young man
in a newspaper office could no be truth
full and make living.
Mr.. Van Wycl5 added that ne had
very high regard for Mr.. part. Inc
mayor said he spent less than $5VV OF
$500 in his election campaign. NO
money was paid for him by his trlehus.
After his nomination he had gwen
about $500 to the democratic organlza-
ton. The money was not given Mr.
Croker. The mayor was then excused
Mr. Moss saying that he would not
need him again this Week.
The mayor insisted that Mr. Moss pc
made TO call a witness to prove the
insinuation. Mr.. Hoffman backed up
the request.
IF we are to sully honest mems rep
utations." said he, II want to go on
record as saying it is absolutely I'M
fair.
Police Commissioner Sexton said he
might have heard OF perhaps half a
dozen alleged gambling places in the
city He did not know their exact 10
cation. He told Chief Devery that they
ought to be closed up. Mr. Moss quot
ed statement from daily paper
which said that there were in greater
New York more than 500 pool rooms.
Mr.. Sexton said he did not know II the
statement was true.
Mr.. Moss asked Mr.. Sexton II ne had
not been to several specified addresses
in this city and Mr. Sexton got angry
and refused to answer. Mr.. Moss ask
ed If Mr. Sexton had not been IN
Wakely's saloon and did not know tnal
there was a pool room above II, MT.
Sexton said he had been in the SAIGON
but know nothing Of the pool ROOM MT