New-York tribune., 1899-05-18
PRICE THREE CENTS.
THE TOWN WIDE OPEN" :"
ASTOUNDING EVIDENCE BE-
FORE MAZET COMMITTEE.
HUNDREDS OF POOLROONIS AND GAM
BLING HOUSES SHOWN TO EN-
IST-WHY HESS BECAME
!, COMMISSIONER.


Investigation Committee yesterday which ef-
fectually refuted the assertions Of some OF the
Tammany leaders the stand that the town
whom he had employed Mr. Moss showed that
hundred all over the city. His representatives
brought with them documentary proof To
roborate their testimony. They produced by
the score the numbered ca-ds which given
to patrons OF poorooins acknowledgment
that bet has been made. In many instances
the money which won by the detectives
while gathering evidence against the poolrooms
was attached to the cards. The men proved
also that gambling rooms as numerous
as the poorooms, and that all kinds OF games.
from roulette to the pebeian craps. are openly
run in this city. The men sent out by Mr.. Moss
declared that they never had the least difficulty
in obtaining admission INTO these places which
were apparently operated without the least In
reference from the police. Chief Devery has
persstently denied knowledge OF the existence
Of poolrooms in New-York. and has more than
once contended that II was almost impossible.
anyway. to obtain evidence against them. be-
cause Of the difficulty Of getting inside. The
incongruity OF this statement and the amazing
pile of evidence which Mr. Mosss men produced
not lost on the committee. At the invita-
tion OF Mr.. Mazet. Chief Devery. who was sitting
some distance away moved closer 10 the wit
ness stand. in order that he might learn from
two private individuals facts which his official
force of some seventy-five hundred men had
been unable" to obtain. Chief Dcvery was oo-
viously uncomfortable while Mr. Moss's two
witnesses were reciting their experiences In the
poorooms and gambling houses Of this city.
EVIDENCE PILING UP.
Evidence against the Police Department con-
tInues pile up. Testimony was given yester-
day showing conclusivey that this Department.
which is charged with the execution OF the law.
deliberately evades the law. It is provided by
the statute that the Department shall not pur-
chase supplies when the amount called for Is
over 81 OO0 except upon public tender. Yet on
MANY occasions Chief Devery has been In
structed by the Commissioners to purchase
horses from NJ Mcdonald and on these oc-
casions the amount OF money expended was con-
s,derablv more than $1,000 But in order 10
evade the statutes the Chief would be In
structed to buy the animals in patches OF three.
on one OCCASION when four horses were bought.
three OF them were sold for $3.50 EACH but the
fourth one for only S225, making a total OF
1915. thus bringing the amount within the sum
which the law allows the Department to spend
without advertising for bids.
Commissioner Jacob Hess. from whom these
facts were elected. was asked by Mr.. MOSS
From the testimony have. the Chief was
directed to buy three horses at a time ana the
purpose Of that was keep II inside the
S1,W0?"
Yes sir, that was the object" Mr. Hess an
swered.
And that all the Commissioners understoodT"
Mr.. Moss suggested
yes sir" was the witnesses damaging repiy'
Before the taking OF evidence began yester-
day morning Job e. Hedges the Legal ADVISER
of ex-Police Commissioner T. l.. Hamilton op-
tained certified transcript Of that part OF the
testimony given by Mayor Van Wyck on Tues-
day wherein he called Mr.. Hamilton biach-
mailer II was presumed that Mr. Hedges se-
cured the transcript for the purpose or insutu'-
ing an action for libel against the Mayor. SUD-
seouentlv Mr. Hedges said that he intended 70
consider the question as to whether IL "ouio oe
nossible for him TO begin action against the
Mayor The Assembly resolution appointing the
committee contained the proviso that no wilt
ness shall be prosecuted indicted, held liable or
proceeded against in any action or proceeding.
for any testimony given before said committee
Both Mr.. Moss and John Proctor Clarke de-
this provision would protect the Mayor on CIVIL
suit brought against him for slan1er
MR. HAMILTON CONTRADrCTs THE MAYOR
Mr. Hamilton was the first witness called De-
FORE the committee yesterday. He had asked for
an opportunity to go upon the stand and contra
dict the MAYORS accusation that he was black
mailer. and his request was granted he was
questioned as to the attempt to transfer Captain
IerIbv and he said he knew nothing about IL
until a resolution was introduced In the Board
nv Commissioner Sexton ordering Chief McCul-
ogh IN transfer the captain II may be recalled
that on Tuesday Mr. McCuagh testified that
Senator Tim" Sullivan wanted Herlihy trans
ferred because he had closed up the poolroom
over the Manhattan Cafe. Mr.. Hamilton said that
nobody had told him he would be removed from
the Board II he did not vote for the retirement OF
McCuliagh but Re had expected. nevertheiess'
that he would be decapitated by the Mayor.
Refuting the allegation made against MIN py
the Mayor to the effect that he USED MS
nostion as Police Commissioner to collect
money owing TO him by Canary Lederer, pro-
prietors OF the Casino. Mr.. hamilton SAID that
the bill was not paid TO him until long AFTER the
license was granted TO the Casino, and even then
he had had to sue for IT, Job f. Hedges toi-
lowed on the stand and testified that ne hau
brought the suit against canary Leue'et' al"
that ar offer TO give notes for the dent had peen
made In December. 1897. before MT Hamilton
was appointed Commissioner.
Police Captain Herlihy was the next witness
Chief pevery on the preceding day admitted
that his first official act had been to transfer
Herihy from the Fifth-st station to Kings
bridge and that he had allowed only about two
hours 10 make the change from downtown TO
the goat district" Devery ayerred that he had
taken this unprecedented action because the
cantain was incompetent Heriihy was asked
about this. He said that he had never been
accused OF incompetency. and had tried to en-
force the gambling laws in his district After
he had said this. however, he was seized with
bad attack Of memory failure" He could not
remember asking Chief McCpliagh about