The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-05-18
Lawyer Moss Takes
Witnesses Off
Their Guard.
TERESTING FACTS
Damaging Testimony Re-
vealing Tammany's Work
ings Brought to Light.

NV York, May 7.-Today's sessions
of the Mazet investigation committee
were not noteworthy in any particular,
not witness of any prominence being
called to the stand. James A. Maho-
ney, with whom Mayor Van Wyck adj
mitted he had had some business
transactions, was one of the witnesses,
and he was put through long series
of questions with reference to his al
legged connection with pool rooms in
this city. Mahoney admitted being
bookrnaker and admitted also that he
had conducted a pool room in this city
come years ago, but said that 1t had
been closed by the police. He de-
clined, however, to answer the ques-
ton as to whether he still conducted
pool rooms here. Very little could be
gotten out of him.
Former Police Commissioner Hamll-
ton, whom Mayor Van Wyck yesterday
designated "blackmailer," was on the
sand for a short time, and while there
declared that what the mayor had said
was absolutely false. Police Commits
sioner Hess was questioned regarding
Cullagh, and acknowledged that he
voted against McCullagh because he
had an Compression" that Mayor Van
Wyck wished him to vote that way.
He said that he remembered the fate
Of Police Commissioners Phillips and
Hamilton, and he believed the best
thing to do to retain his position was
to vote against McCullagh, and this he
aid.
Several witnesses were examined,
who within the past few weeks have
been doing detective work for Counsel
Moss, and they gave testimony as to
the number Of pool rooms that are be-
ing run in New York city at the pres
ent time They declared that the num-
Der was large, that no difficulty was
experienced in gambling in these pla-
ces at will, and that at no time was po'
lice interference thought Of.
Detective Wood swore that in many
of the places all sorts of gambling
games were in progress-faro, poker,
craps and others. Mr.. Moss asked
Chief Deverey if he had received
complaint about place on Third ave-
nue. The chief said ha couldn't tell,
but would look up thu records. Mr..
Moss said he sent Wood to the place
on the strength of a complaint sent TO
Deverey, and Wood swore he gampled
there The only question asked Wood
by DR. O'Sullivan, counsel for the city
departments, was. whether most OF
the gambling places had not club char
tiers displayed, and Wood said they
had.
James A. Mahoney, with whom
Mayor Van Wyck testified yesterday he
had had business transactions and was
intimate, was sworn and said ne had
been bookmaker on the race tracks.
He admitted that bool1making had
been and still was his principal bust
ness
Police Commissioner Jacob Hess was
sworn. He said he was appointed as a
republican in the bipartisan board. HIS
first official act was to vote for the re-
tirement of Chief of ) Police McCul-
lagh. Upon what basis did you vote
for the retirement of Mr.. McCullagh!'
asked Mr.. Moss,
pointed by the mayor, and I saw what
happened to Mr.. Hamilton and Mr..
Philips and / knew didn't want to-
share in the same fate"
Hamilton and Philips were removed
by Mayor Van Wyck.
you knew what would happen to you
if you didn't vote to retire McCullagh'
is that so?" queried Mr.. Moss.
Eyes, and another reason, believed
chief and the commissioners.
Mr.. Hess admitted that he had an
IMPRESSION as to what the mayor
wanted done in McCullagh's case. The
police commissioner said that OUTSIDE OF
his $4,000 yearly salary as commissioner
he had not an independent living. He
was in the cigar business And in order
10 GET that $4,000 to live on, you consent
ed to go into that arrangement as re-
publican of the bipartisan board to
carry out the wishes of the mayor, is
that it?" sneered Mr.. Moss.
yes" said Commissioner Hess.
Gwen though it led to the removal of
chief of police against whom there was
no charge and no suspicion of corrup-
ton or inefficiency2"
YES" said the witness.
MAYOR Van Wyek, Mr. Hess said,
was the only person who spoke to MIN
about becoming a police commissioner.
He said he wished that he had not tax
en- it.
"Do YOU regret what you did in per-
forming your first official act IN re-
moving good official servant! asked
Mr. Moss.
you think you did a good public act
them
Il think So"
Upon what grounds?"
MY own views.
(which were that you wanted to get
that S5000?"
u did"
Mr.. Moss then switched over to the
horses purchased by the police board.
Mr. Moss said all the horses since May
"a 1895 to April %, 1899, had been pur-
chased from NJ. Mcdonald. Mr. Hess
said he didn't know who M. Melon
aid" was. The chief bought the horses.
Ii transpired that the chief never
bought more than three horses at a
time. That, Mr.. Hess said, was to keep
the amount within $1,000. When asked
why. Mr.. Hess said: Because we can't
spend over a thousand dollars without
buving the horses by public letting
And in order to prevent public bid
ding YOU ordered the chief to buy three
horses at a time?" asked Mr.. Moss
AT the request Of the superintendent
of the horses" said Mr.. Hess.
''They had ordered the chief to buy
three horses every week or So
The committee then adjourned until
tomorrow.