New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-21
WATCHING THE POOLROOMS
prNARKABLE VIGILANCE on THE PART
OF THE POLICE

LEGGED INTERVIEW WITH MR.
COSTELLO NOT CREDITED
Though the wheels of the Mazet investiga-
uo, mill have rested temporarily from their
rr,nding. the cloud of dust they have kicked up
shows no sign Of subsiding. In all parts Of the
city keen interest has been aroused in its reve-
ls,,ons and three or four notable incidents
helped that feeling along yesterday.
The most important perhaps. OF these was
he fact that remarkably few poolrooms were
found 10 be running. BY simply following the
rrowd" a stranger could not find one at all. as
he could have done any day in the last few
weeks Policemen were stationed III front OF
them and business permitted as a gen
,ral rule The very few rooms which continued
admitted only patrons we'll known by name 10
the lookouts. II was not sufficient 10 have ones
face known only. None but personal acquaint-
ances in whom the booksellers had absolute con-
adence were admitted. An interesting sidelight
was thrown on this unusual police activity by
the absolute closing of all poolrooms whose ad-
dresses had been made public by Mazet wit
nesses and by the additional fact that police
men were found to be keeping close watch on
buildings where even many veteran pool play
ers did not know the business had been car
ned on at all
Another unusual lIiClueHt vas the dSSttlipiihS
of the police captains OF Brooklyn, Queens and
Richmond boroughs at Police Headquarters yes
tsrdav. where ostensibly rigid instructions were
given them 10 close all poolrooms and gambling
houses. to see that all concert halls shut up
hereafter at midnight. and to have care that
st the so-caned sacred" concerts on Sunday
the performance is confined TO vocal and in
ornamental music. and that all performers ap-
near in ordinary civilian clothes only. This will
BIT Coney Island and other beach resorts hard
to-day. and affect thousands Of pleasure-seek-
srs also.
Another interesting incident. which was hailed
with delight by the opponents Of the Mazet in
vestigation, was the publication Of an alleged
Interview with Assemblyman Costello OF Os"ego
a Republican member OF the committee. who
was boldly quoted as saying Il am tired OF TINS
Investigation 1t is a failure. New-fork is no
worse than any other large city. 1t Is foohsh-
ness 10 ask all these questions about campaign
contributions. Any man has right 10 con-
tribute all he peases TO campaign funds. Gam
bling? There is gambling everywhere. You
can't stop IT, The committee can't compel an
swers. It has no power anyhow when the
LEGISLATURE is not in session
Mr. MAzET DOES NOT BELIEVE IT.
Mr.. Costello vas not in town yesterday Mr..
Mazet said he did not believe Mr.. CosteHo hao
been correctly quoted, but poolroom packers
divekeepers gamblers and "body-snatchers all
o,er the city professed 70 believe 1t implicitly
and rejoiced greatly. declaring that they neeoeo
orly one more friend on the committee TO give
q majority which would shut the investigation
of entirely.
third lively incident Of the day was a re-
viyal Of the mystery surrounding the alleged
murder Of Police Captain OKeeffe This was
accomplished by injecting into that now almost
defunct story a statement that OkeeHe was
murdered for fear that he would betray certain
Democratic politicians who had plotted TO assas-
sinate ex-Chief OF Police John McCullagh. the
State Superintendent Of Elections, on last Elec-
ton Day 1t was further reported that Mr. Moss
was preparing to lay bare the entire case when
the Mazet Committee resumed It's sessions MI
Moss. of course declined to say a word about
it. Mr.. McCullagh was out Of town. Chief
pevery and Captain McClusky ridiculed the re-
mort Other police officials said O'Keeffe's death
Was pure accident. and mystery would
have risen I'D around II at all II II had not been
for the efforts made at the time to conceal the
fact that OKeefe drunk when he fell
downstairs and fractured his skull.
These new features of the situation. together
with the revelations made day after day last
week Of how the whole city is literally MIXED
for the benefit OF Tammany leaders, proved an
absorbing topic Of conversation in all circles
OF society yesterday
Chairman Mazet told Tribune reporter yes
terday that whereas al the beginning Of the in
vestigation there a great deal Of popular
feeling against the committee yet he had sub
stantial reasons for believing that the tide was
now beginning TO set the other way and he fully
expected that before the committee had gone
much further with it's work thousands Of per-
sons who are now standing aloof would come
forward voluntarily and offer their personal EVIL
dence OF Tammany corruption. blackmail and
petty tyranny.
Mr. Mazet declared that his committee had nc
intention Of making a preliminary report OF It's
work 10 the extra session OF the Legislature
and he regretted exceedingly that the extra ses-
sion made II necessary to interrupt the COM
rittees work for time.
COMMITTEEMAN NOT PAID.
Mr. Mazet asked The Tribune to correct a
false impression. which seems to be general
that the committeeman have secured a good
thing" and that the State pays them well fol
their time and trouble, and hence that IL is tc
their advantage to proong the investigation as
much as possible The fact is that the commit
teernen do not receive anything Those who come
from out OF town get hotel expenses and mile
age That is all. The $4,000 appropriated
by the Legislature is for counsel fees. stenog-
raphers pay and the expenses OF getting wit
nesses4
Mr.. Mazet further said that he was receiving
daily many valuable suggestions from many
sources for legislation which would prevent q
continuation ab uvhfc hoo