The times., 1899-05-19
THE PROBE OF MAZEf
GOES DEEP AND HURTS
New York's Police Force Tn.
der the X-Rays.
Commissioner Hess Is Shocked and
Talks of Doing Something.
How the BOND Concerns of Fiatt and
Croker Get BBsiness-Thc Re-
movaI of McCuliaEh.

gIances and laughed heartily. Mr.. Hess
admitted that IL the chief had been in
formed by the captains that they could not
find poolrooms open or could not get evil
dence TO close them the captains must
have been lying TO their unsrspicious
chief Indeed he thought Devery might
fairly be accused Of neglect and he in
tended to do something about it; he could
lot say what
When Commissioner Abells turn came
he said he though; the community was
reasonably content with things as they
are, hut would hail any evidence that
would enable him to better them. He was
not prepared to do anything 10 Devery on
the evidence as il stood. but he admitted
that il was up TO the board 10 do some
thing.
Il appeared from the examination Of the
comptroller, the sheriff, and other officials
tba, almost the whole of the bonding of
city employees is done by Andy Freedman s
company and that practically all official
sales so TO Mr.. Crokers firm Of auc-
tioneers- The committee, when it sd-
.oarns tomorrow afternoon, may not meet
again until the adjournment Of the extra
session OF the Legislature.
While Hess was giving his testimony
Commissioner Abel sat in front of the
committed his face flushed his forehead
silently rehearsing what he intended 10 say
when called 10 the stand. Abel frequently
adjusted his eyeglasses and moved his
chair. He was exceedingly nervous and
appeared to fear that Hess was going to
break down.
Mr.. Moss asked Hess great many ques-
tions about the duties and responsibilities
Of inspectors and captains Of police and the
details of their work. The knowledge OF
the witness on those points was vague and
indefinite, and his answers were as nearly
noncommittal or evasive as he could make
them. This line of questioning brought
out the fact that under the present board
police business IS conducted in rather
haphazard manner. There seems 10 be no
attempt at rigid discipline and the board
is apparently content to leave all matters
b OF ordinary police duty to the captains and
inspectors
Hess admitted that the testimony about
poolrooms had disclosed a bad condition
Of affairs in the department.
Then, what ought the commissioners TO
do?'' Mr.. Moss asked.
The witness hesitated a long time, strok-
ed his chin squirmed In his chair, and
finally said in a low tone:
We'll, it ought 10 be looked into"
Hess could not even suggest how deep or
far the process of looking into the ser
vice would be likely TO go.
When Mr.. Moss said that he had testi-
mony showing that poolrooms were running
yesterday, and asked Hess what he thought
of such a condition, the witness said:
1T is shocking
At this answer there was a roar OF
laughter from the spectators. The idea OF
gambling shocking Jake Hess was too
much even for the Tammany lawyers pres
Ill. f~.ar .rrr I~vTava
Chief Deyery, who had come in late and
was sitting at the side of Commissioners
Abel, smiled family when Hess admitted
thar he was shocked
do you believe that considerable lati-
tude should be given in the matter OF pool
rooms?" Mr.. Moss asked.
No
do you believe that latitude should be
allowed in the matter Of selling whisky Oh
Sunday2"
NO" said Mr. Hess, with emphasis.
He had grown into a most careful police
commissioner over night. He declared al
so that no latitude should be allowed in
the matter of disorderly houses.
Il believe in the enforcement Of the
law" he declared. dogmatically.
Then Mr.. Moss took Mr.. Hess out of the
domain Of general principles, and took a
brief excursion into facts.
do you believe, Mr.. Hess, that with al
the men and means at the command o.
the police department that your mer
should be able to find such evidence as was
shown here yesterday regarding pool
rooms2''
1t is their duty TO find such places"
What is the explanation when the po
lice department does not find out sucl
things?"
Il should say neglect"
Well, what should be done with tn,
chief Of police who is guilty Of such ne
glect2''
Perceiving the direction In which Mr.
Moss was leading him Mr.. Hess grew care
full. He hesitated: We'll, ! don't know
You see, he has TO depend upon his cap
tains."
Shocked Again.
Mr.. Moss then caused Mr.. Hess to ad
init that he had read all the charges printe'
in the newspapers to the effect that pool
rooms were running in New York, and thel
led Mr.. Hess on further to the admission
that police captains had all reported fha
they had found no such violations as tn
newspapers had reported. Mr.. Hess said
81 am shocked
The fact that the captains were unani
nous in reporting that the city was en-
tirely free from vice and crime did no
create enough suspicion in your mind t
lead tc personal lnyeStigation!
We'll. It did cause little suspicion"
"wnat do you think It your duty as
police commissioner 10 do, in view of tn
fact that a very small private agency he
been able to uncover so many places tha
the entire police force of New York wa
apparently unable to fnd?"
u think IT ought TO be looked into," MI
Hess said, with sudden resolution.
Going on little further Mr. Hess. find
ing that he could not answer a question
asked Mr.. Moss one.
why didn't you send us the report
about those places?" he asked.
Mr.. Moss reply was an exclamation c
establishment.
why didn't / send you information? :?
he cried, laughing. Then he added: ''Yo
ask why these reports were not given t
you. The reports were read yesterday
Would it surprise you to know that
have In my possession testimony that pool
rooms were running even yesterday"
Shocking" cried Mr.. Hess, and III
crowd laughed uproariously.
You turned out q police chief agains
whom there was not single charge" Nj
Moss said. Now what do you think yo
ought to do with the present chief?"
Il 10 not know" said Mr.. Hess.
DO you intend 10 do anything?"
Il do" said Mr.. Hess, and added, after
slight pause, We do
Have you consulted with your asso
oiates SO that you are able TO say W
Il viii say / do" Mr.. Hess answerc
Il will say that was much touched b
1..-AA kAA~