New-York tribune., 1900-12-23
PURIFIERS HARD PRESSED.
STORY ABOUT CoRTRIGHT MADE UP To
GIVE APPEARANCE OF SINCERITY.
yoRK FxpEcTEp TO PREFER CHARGES
AGAINST DEvERY WHICH MAY CAUSE
HIS REMOVAL.

rsxv,s nysxon and his colleagues of the Tammany
Vice Committee found admirable opportunity
few days ago 20 bolster up the pose they ha'
taken OF being the only real puriners IN the ci's
That opportunity they made the most or In
morning newspaper yesterday there appeared
sraphic description Of Mr.. Nixon, stalking INTO
the ofnce Of Acting Chief Cortright, haunted hse
OF some forty or fifty gambling houses ana poor
rooms in the face of the man who is taxing Shlel
Ievery's place, and insisted that they be closeo
within twenty-four hours. 'sMr. Nixon, 1t Is I'M
possible" cortright related as saying wnere-
upon M Nixon thundered: 1T is not impossible
and it must be done!"
Cortright trembIngly wh;mpered according TO
t,a irnnression given by the story, that he would
consult Chief Devery about the matter Here was
another opening for thunder. You will consult no
one!" Mr. Nixon is alleged 10 have stormeo. iou
will close those places within twenty-four houis'
Again Cortright is presumed to have whlinpeieo
and TO have pleaded for time TO carry out the
orders OF the august Mr.. Nixon, who magnani-
mously consented to grant further twentS-ioui
hours peace.
Very we'll" he is said TO have replied 1t is
now O'Clock and this is Wednesday afternoon
sbau expect that these houses be closed by O'Clock
on Friday afternoon
cORTRIGHT NOT EASY TO BULLDoAE'
A pretty story indeed were it true' ANY one
who knows Deputy Chief Cortright is NOT iiKely 70
he deceived into the belief that he would permit
himself TO be budozed in this fashion by MEM
ber of Tammany's discredited and make-believe
uurfaers Cortright himself denied yesterday that
any such conversation as reported took place De
tween him ard Lewis Nixon. II Is true thdt MI
Nixon handed him list of gambling places Wnich
he requested should closed hut that request was
not made in the authoritative and threatening man
ner that was depicted in the newspaper which pup
ushed the purported interview. Politicians who are
close 10 Tammany's counsels thoroughly under
sand The motives which swayed the so-caled Vice
Committee in desiring TO nave eertaln Snss
houses closed. Of late complaints nave Desn 9 Io9eg
with the gambling commission-the men who coiiect
the levies from the gambling mouse keepers: gn1 nn
fn this city-that there is too much competition
IN oneTation 70 make the business as profitable as
ii might be- Paying heed TO the protests; the com
places in order to increase the revenues of the
larger ones The list handed TO deputy GngI y us
selected for immolation. This II can oe sLateu
Of Mr Moons visit TO Headquarters on Wednes-
day. The Tammany Vice Committee merely 3isIv s9highIy
matter OF necessity M SO @ 5ar ,st as fReg were secrd
gambling houses were running as usual yesterday
YORK MAY ACCUSE DEvERY.
It was reported yesterday that Bernard ]. York.
president of the Police Board intended to prepare
charges against Chief Devery. The charges, It was
said would be based upon the illegal transfers OF
Deputy Chiefs Mclaughlin and Clayton and upon
insubordination. Mr.. Yorks proposed action, 1t
was added, had been prompted by and would nave
the support Of the Brooklyn Democratic machine
issf en night M he Geclned to discuss the report Il viii
not say one word about police matters was tba baf
were put to him. With regard 10 the alleged Cort-
right and Nixon encounter, he said he knew roth-
ing about it beyond what he had read. ,..-
Chief Deyery was seen al ms eI nome SeseruaS
NIxoNs VERSION OF THE STORY.
Mr. Nixon said last evening"
Yes I did give Acting Chief Cortright list of
forty-eight gambling houses, with request tnat
they be closed AT once did NOT order Mr. Cort-
g9age which morning paper has has. &c sl me
and said I relied upon him TO relieve the city Of
these dens soon as he could arrange TO 90 SO.
and ability and so left the matter entirely in his
hands / also suggested that word be sent imme-
diately Chief DeVery that such move was
contemplated. I did this because ! wished that at
the action were about 10 take
II is a mistake TO believe that my action created
have been taken seriously from the moment that
Tammany Hall announced that gambling should
tic tion The police haVe worked faithfully since the
sntyiee announcement was maae & & and mere @ mas mas
York City among the best disciplined forces in
every reason to feel proud Of them Silently and
surely. for several weeks. have closed up gam
dent that none OF the propretors will have the
teneTlty to DEFY US Longer instantly these nGuses @
good II is too bad that our efforts have received
uncover these few remaining lawbTeakers.
cannot publish the list of the forty-eight gam
bling houses and poorooms, with the names Of the
gEoprietors. which I gave to Mr. Cortright last
Wednesday afternoon We do not to make
these men known until sure that the people
Of this city viii cooperate with us in exterminat-
ing them. II were sure that We would be
hepfd and not interfered with we would publish
the ist in question.
The forty-eight gambling houses have been closed.
as far as the committee has been able to ascer-
tain Our splendid police force is intelgently work
ing with Every complaint Will be acted
upon al once. Tammany Hall has the best inter-
ests Of the city at heart. and the people Of New
York will appreciate this fact when they see what
results We have achieved.
Asked IL the report that Chief Devery may be
deposed be true, Mr.. Nixon said: Certainly the
rUnor is unfounded. There is lot Of stuff in the
mouths OF gossip monSers concerning the recent
dOines at Police Headquarters. but this latest gos-
SIP is the most irresponsible Of the LOT. Chief
Deyery Is the right man in the right place and he
viii not be invited TO quit his post"
STREETCAR STRIKE IN SCRANTON