New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-01


Howard. a former Tombs prisoner James A.
Hagan, Warden of the Tombs; Phoebe Van Bus
kirk Detective-Sergeant John ]. O'Brien his
wife Regina O'Brien; Roger Sheedy. his wife
Bridget Sheedy; Cornelius J. Cunningham. Ed
gar A. Whitney. John Dillon and Paul Haskell
were examined by Mr. Moss before the Mszet
Investigating Committee yesterday Their tes-
timony follows in full:
COMMISSIONER YORK RECALLED.
HE EXPLAINS HOW THE LICENSING OF
CONCERT HALLS is CONDUCTED
The chairman called the committee to order At
lO:45 O'Clock
Bernard j. York recalled.
The Witness-I state that now produce TO you
say, the subpoena little indefinite TO just
what p fs were % 5 baHa IN 5e Na
everything. think II l have not given you every
MT Mess"Tfese papers s are ' produced in obedience
10 subpoena duces tecum which was served upon
MI Moss-We will have them marked for identi-
The wi,ness-I think everything is there that
your subpoena asked for II II is not, then you can
ss ymsapprehension there was in reference to
some here. in regard 10 the annual report Of
hands Of the printer and probably is likely to be
out to-day or tomorrow But / think you were
ment neglected to make its annual report That
is not the fact. / simply state that so 1t may ap
Mr.. Osullivan-I want TO ask If the papers Of
fered by the counsel are In full response TO the
NJ Moss-It is impossible for me to say how far
these papers comply with the subpoena. l do not
Mr. o'sunivan-so far as It is in response to the
subpoena duces tecum II is the witnesses best effort
10 satisfy Mr.. Mosss inquiry.
The Witness--YOpy can go a little further than
that and gay that have given him everything.
Mr. Moss-Are you aware Mr.. York. OF order
that the Chief has recently made. requiring sub
ordinate officers all through the Department, 10
pay particular attention matters that may be
printed in the newspa pers and TO take police &C
ton with reference TO such matters? Al am not.
I do not recall such order.
Q-Is It not customary for the Chief 10 furnish
the president OF the Board with a copy Of all his
orders? Ayes. The order you refer 10 may be
included among those orders.
Q.-You have not heard Of Il? Al have not
heard Of II. or ! have not noticed It.
Q-That would be a rather unusual order.
wouldn't It? AIN a general order requiring at
tention?
GA general order TO the Police Department to
pay especial attention to the complaints Of law
breaking that are found In the newspapers and 10
take proper action with reference 10 such com
plants? Al have recollection of such an
order.
o-Thst would be an unusual order, would 1t
not? Alt you'd be unusual to the extent that
have no recollection OF ever having seen such an
order during my administration.
Q-Whatever use the police force might make or
the newspapers II has never yet gone into the
shsry or formal order IN the Department so far
as you know? Al think II has. Not generally.
II has gone into what we call special oroer.
Newspaper clippings as a rule. have had attention
paid 10 them by the Department. by the issuing OF
an order in reference 10 any newspaper 10 the
commanding officer OF the district
Q.-What is the special need OF such an oroer al
this time? Al don't know that such an order
was issued
Q-Is there any special need Of such an order at
this time? A.-Pay attention TO articles IN 'he
QHWhat l have said about the order? A-No
! .:now Of need Of H. ...- - od-
vice from you? Al haven't heard OF II; you
understand me there are so many orders issued
Q-Are you paying special attention to- concert
halls? Al am; yes. sir. .-. halle os car
ried on in the Bowery and Eighth-aye:. are con,
s to @ of that Mr.
Ono can you answer the question; yes or ~
Al can't answer it yes or no, for this reason
the Bowery should be conducive to law-oreaking
than a concert hall in any other part OF me City
II depends entirely on the manner in which they
o. say as they are run on the Bowery? A
As they are run on the BoweryE
Q.-Yes A.-Generally speaking, no. ..o.-.
nails as they are run now and conducted, and by
now I mean within the last month? Al uhoer-
''a'''' CONCERT HALLS SUIT HIM.
Q.-Are conducive to law-breaking and dsorderiy
conditions; al say generally era no. Ihere are
.Q.-boes your Board license concert saloons
Q.Ion the Bowery. as in other parts? A-As
4Qy'-That power is in you? A-The power is in
Q.-Could you refuse to exercise it? Ayes
o-And you could refuse to grant license 5se TO TO
any particular concert hall? A-That is open 20
granting or refusing a license but not arbitrarily
say when would grant and when we "ou'u
Q-on what grounds DO you refuse to-. to issue 1e
any case where we are satisfied from investigation
that that place was an improper one 10 grant I"
Q~whom DO you ask TO make the Investigation :?
T6e In NJ 6 S osses rs a' through
the captain of the precinct. second the Inspector
OF the precinct. -.
responsible? Whom do you look 70 for the re-
port? Al look 70 the officers n the eist I cas
Q.-Do you ever require the officers In command
od the precincts TO make reports? A.--The rule
Of the Board requires that where an spplica ton
the commanding officers Of the precinct in which
the place Is located. lie is required TO make u
report on that particular place. stating any facts
that ne has in reference 10 IL and to certify In
his report Wneshe nrds Is proper place 10 icense
and give the reasons in either case That report
The Chief as an communications from subordi-
mates come. Now on that report we act Now,
sections of the city. sent these places back
70 the Chief with directions TO cause investiga-
,ion IN he made Of each OF them. by the in
snectors OF the districts-respective Districts per-
snnalIv and require them TO make report whether
g. ,bsir Judgment and from that eXamnat tomas a
rssuit ~ The examination which they made
whether they thought they were not proper places
" license and on that report acted.
HIS EXPLANATION SHUT OFF.
Q-Then you have been paying more Than ord
~ at+entfon TO concert halls. have yCuf Al
YOU mean more than ordinary attention within {
short term back | would say no The concer'
baU ouestion rs one thar has given ms great dea
Of thought at an times within the year past: an(
v.e have considered Il from every standpoint i
il a question that presents many dmculties Par
don M FOR stating IT, The difficulty comes In here
Wbere viii the line be drawn In granting or re
f1sing licenses In the FIRST place we nave NJ
right 10 say that the character OF ths people wn