The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-18
VAN WYCK'S FORMER
PAL A BOOKMAKER
Admitted This But Would Not Talk
About Pool Rooms.
DECLINED TO ANSWER QUERY
As to Whether He How Ran Such
Places IN New York.
THE MAYORS ASSERTIONS FALSE
Being Termed "Blackmailer
tectives Testify that Pool Rooms
Are in Operation at Present

New York, May 17.-At today's session
of the Mazet investigation commission
James A. Mahoney, with whom Mayor Van
Wyck admitted he had had some business
transactions, was put through "a long series
of questions. Mahoney admitted being Il
bookmaker, but declined to answer the
question as to whether he is conducting
pool rooms here.
Former Police Commissioner Hamilton,
whom Mayor Van Wyck yesterday desig-
mated a "blackmailer," declared that what
the mayor had said was absolutely false.
Several witnesses who within the past few
weeks have been doing detective work for
Counsel Moss testified that large number
of pool rooms are now being run in New
York city.
Thomas L. Hamilton formerly a police
commissioner, and Nho was yesterday de-
nounced by Mayor Van Wyck as a black
mailer, was the first witness. He testified
that no reasons were assigned for the re-
tirement of Chief Mccullough nor was
there any accusation or suggestion of in
efficiency made against him at the meet
ngs of the board.
Mr.. Hamilton had insisted upon Nc
Culough being retained. He denied the
statement by Mayor Van Wyck yesterday
that he had used his official position 20
coerce the Casino into the payment of q
bill.
Hamilton Disputed Mayors Statement
Hamilton also denied the mayors state
met that he, the witness, had refused to
vote for the transfer of any police officer
unless Mr.. Quigg and Senator Platt were
agreeable He had told the mayor that he
wished to consult with the leaders of his
party and had mentioned Senator Platt as
one, but the consultation he desired was
in reference to passing a resolution which
defined the powers of the chief to make
transfers.
Police Captain Herlihy, whose transfer
from downtown station to Kings Bridge
was said to have been made because he
had made raids on pool rooms, was sworn.
He said he had no fault to find with his
transfer by Chief Devery but on the other
hand was much pleased at the change.
Philip Cohen, who had lost money In pool
rooms and made complaint to the police,
first to a sergeant and then to an inspec-
tor, told the committee of the trouble he
had in procuring a warrant for the capture
of one of the rooms, and that when the
warrant was finally issued the police claim
ed to have no power to enter the place by
force, so that when the proprietor was ar
rested there was no evidence to convict
him.
Mr.. Moss explained that the purpose of
introducing such witnesses as Cohen was
to show the falsity of the pretense of the
police that they did not know of the ex-
istence of pool rooms in the city and to
demonstrate the fact that obstacles were
put in the way of those who wished to
prosecute pool room keepers.
Admitted He Was Boohmaker
Jas. A. Mahoney, with whom Mayor Van
Wyck testified yesterday he had business
transactions and was intimate, was called
Mr.. Mahoney said he was in the building
and real estate business. He admitted that
bookmaking was his principal business.
Asked IL he was interested In any pool
room, Mahoney absolutely refused to ans
wer. Mr.. Mazet directed Mahoney to ans
wer If he had or had not any connection
with the pool rooms here, and he again de-
clined to answer, on the ground that 1t
was ''private matter"
He declined to answer whether he was
interested In pool rooms at the time he was
in business with Mr. Van Wyck
sDid you divide the profits of any pool
rooms with any city officials?" asked Mr.
Moss.
sI divide nothing with any city official
or with any member of Tammany hall,
said Mahoney. mo member of the police
force is interested with me in any way,
shape or form in business