The Portland daily press., 1899-08-11
FEARED FOR THEIR JOBS.
New York Policemen Tell why They Ds
Not Enforce Excise Law.

New York, August 18.-The Mszss
investigation committee resumed Its sss-
sion today. MIR II oss. counsel for the
COMMITTEES. ssid the only book furnished
by Captain MoUluskey's detective bureau
showing robheries, was q record Ct prop
esty recovered. A copy If this book was
put In evidence. The record showed
that property from sll over the United
States was hoiueht to New York and
disposed of In pawn shops and other
places; that in 1898 there WAS ss32. COO
worth of stolen property recovered by the
police and returned 10 owners and that
thus far this year s1l6,c00 worth of stolen
goods had been recovered and returned.
Mr.. Moss called attention to the fact
that Chief Devsry's list showed no places
suspected ef teing a gambling resort In
the 2.nd precinct while the evidence Of
the committe, detectives was that they
had gambled in a dozen such houses In
that precinct alone.
Detectivs Wood took the stand. He said
that in company with H. Harris he had
visited place In West Sixty Second
street last night and got by the two
'1ooKouts" all right There WINS u China
man present and in one room there were
about fifty men and women half nude
lying on hunks ard smoking opium.
Some of the men appeared to be less than
twenty years old.
The owners said everything was all
right as long as they came mp with "the
long green and referred to Captain
Moynihan, who commands she precinct,
as ''good fellow
Wood further testified that he had
made 400 visits to pool rooms in the city
since he had testified the last time He
said that all the visits had been made
since Chief Devery testified that no pool
rooms were in operation In New York.
Summing up, MIR. Moss said: "We
could close the pool rooms In "A hours II
1t was any part of our duty"
''We propose to show today" be contin-
ued, "that IL the police department. is
demoralized 1t is the fault cf the oommis-
sion, RS. l Fave summoned policemen
here to show the lenient way In which
very serious ofYenses are punished.
At the close of his remarks the COM
nait ee took recess.
After recess, Jersmias Moran, patrol
man Of eighteen years. servioe, in answer
to questions said he did not enforce the
excise law for fear of losing his position.
Ill partolmen felt like that anout the
excise law. They were also sfraid to
i1terfsre In GASES. in which local politi-
clans were interested. Moran said he
expected to be punished for giving such
testimony, but he thought the COMMITTEES
wou look after his interests. Mr..
Moss read the section of the resolution of
the assembly promising immunity TO all
witnesses who testified before the COM
miesee.
Mr.. Moss brought up the cass OF q ser
eeant named Porter who had assaulted
one CTegsn who owed him money. Gre
gan brought charges azninst Porter hut
the latter was fined only two days ray.
Other policemen had warned Cregan 10
lo1k ont for Porter, who was dangerous
MAJ and who had to be disarmei of his
l vo er when Intoxicated.
A I'd this dangerous character Is now
Going duty" said Mr.. Moss.
Mr.. Moss cited from the police records
many cases Of delirquent policemen
whose punishment he claimed was alto
Sc her inadequate.
When the time for adjournment arrived
Mr.. Moss said
''fhere are hundreds of similar cases
where police officers have been charged
with intoxication, characterization and
using vile and abusive language to oiti-
zsns, especially women, but think we
have shown enough on this line"
Mr.. Mazet said the COMMITTEES Ind heard
enough and an adjournment WAS taken
10 tomorrow.
GRAND CIRCUIT RACES.
RnffnIo N V Anorst 10. tnha fnn,.