New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-09

specous method OF cross-examnation couid
have been. Mr.. Moss's face beamed with delight
when he had a witness squirming under a sue
cession Of bluntly worded questions Again his
personal interest in the work he has undertaken
was displayed when frequently especially with
Chief Devery. he would clutch the rail In front
Of him, and, bending forward. would fairly hiss
out question OF a particularly incriminating
character. Mr.. Moss had Devery on the rack
for nearly three hours. and is not nearly through
with him yet. His examination OF the Chief and
Of Captain Price will be searching and drastic.
To this end he has hundreds Of records OF all
kinds. and the blotter OF the Nineteenth Precinct
station. by which he hopes to show that un-
fortunate women have been arrested merely TO
be blackmaed by a professional bondsman.
who Mr.. Moss endeavored 10 show yesterday
was close personal friend Of Devery.
Colonel Kip, the chief clerk Of the Police De-
partment, has also been subpenaed to appear be-
fore the committee tomorrow, and has been
ordered to bring with him all the reports made
by Captain Price, Of the Tehderloin Precinct
in the last six months. and submitted 10 the
Police Board. He was also instructed TO bring
a copy Of the rules and regulations OF the Police
Department and copy of Special order No.
"a Special Order No. "a was issued by Chief
Devery. under Section 3l5, OF the charter re-
quiring the mmanders Of all precincts 10 close
Up gambling-places In their precincts and to
make weekly reports of their work in this direo-
ton to him.
Perhaps the most significant OF all the
quirements in the subpoena was that which re-
quested Colonel Kipp 10 bring the original
charges brought against Devery by the Park
hurst society in February. 1891 when Devery
was a captain of the Eldrdge-st. station. These
charges accused Devery of failing to close dis
| orderly houses IN his precinct in 1893. Deyery
| was not tried on these charges, because he Sc
cured a writ Of prohibition against the hearing
J from the courts The subpoena also requires
| Colonel Kipp to produce the official bonds Of
| Devery as Chief Deputy Chief. Inspector. Cap
tain and Sergeant. He was also ordered to pro-
duce the copy OF the publication called Tho
Temderoln," on which complaint vas made to
the Police Board by +. d. Kenneson.
OPENING THE INQUIRY.
Owing to the refusal OF the Mayor 10 permit
the committee 10 sit in the Council Chamber, the
use was obtained Of the courtroom OF Part TIL,
Supreme Court in the County Court Building.
The committee, which IS composed OF Robert
! Mazet Of New York. chairman; Edward II Fai-
lows Of New-York; Thomas ". Costello. or
Oswego: Harris Wilson. Of Kings County; James
and BENJAMIN Hoffman. Of New-York began
its investigation at 10:45 o'clock Frank Moss
and John Proctor Clarke. the counsel to the
committee reached the court nearly an hour
before Francis f. Laimbeer, who has been re-
tanned by NJ. Moss as his personal assistant.
also sat at the counsel table. did DR.. w. j.
O'SulIivan. who appeared on behalf Of the city
denartments Before the committee convened
DIR O'Sullivan was not certain whether or not
he would have any recognized standing In ths
inquiry. and after the authority by which the
committee sat read and Mr.. Moss mad mads
a brief reference to the object OF the investga-
tion. DR. OSuivan fastened 10 request ths
privilege Of appearing for the several heads or
the departments He explained that he man"
the request not as matter or right out AZ
privilege He promised TO aid the investigation
IN every way that he could. and fnally MT
Nazet said he would let the doctor go on unni
Il was seen how actively ne would help In the
inve stigation.
The way was now open for the taking or evil
dence MY first witness" said Mr.. Moss 'is
Frank II Croker" The name was called out
no Frank II. Croker answered. subpoena
server was put upon the stand. who testineh
that he had tried TO serve MI CROKER al Ms
house in the morning. After waiting TOT ndt
n hour. the witness sdlu. Noth vas piNHe"~ ~
him bv a servant that Mr.. Croker could not sea
him Mr. Moss stated that he had mailed
subnoena 10 Mr. Croker on the previous night.
ra,ar in The day II was said that Frank II.
croker had left town. but from another source
:, was learned last night that he had not ex-
nected 20 he called before the committee. had
no desire TO evade testifying. and would he on
hand tomorrow morning
,,.rrx-. yor-Nc CROKER WAS CALLED.
The purpose OF getting Mr Croker on the
stand was made plain litte later "iiiian
Archer of the building firm OF Dawson & Arch
er who put up the big office building al NO ID
70 u Park Row. was the hrst witness sworn
It was shown by his testimony that the cost OF
tho huildins was to he $4,000 less II the Roeb-
ling system OF nre-proofns could be used. u
was not. he said for the reason that plans which
nrov,aed for this material would not be passed
,bv the Building Department. Builders well un-
,ars,ood he said that none Of the concrete sys-
TENS Roebling's others, would ever De sane
,,opsd by the Building Department, and that
,bs only recourse was TO the terra-cotta ma
,erial The point OF evidence vas not clear TO
the committee until the testimony OF Abraham
. T. Hlmmelwright, manager or the Roeoling
Construction Company. which does the hreproof
work OF the John A. Roeblins Sons Construction
Company was heard. II was elicted from him
that when the campany was formed large blocks
OF stock we're taken by Frank II. Croker and
Major Hinkiey Mr. Moss then took the witness
through a protracted course OF questioning the
summary OF 1t being that before Messrs. Croker
and Hinkley become interested in the Roebiips
company. the Buildings Department refused 10
allow the concrete material 10 be used In build