New-York tribune., 1900-03-19
YORK ON THE RACK TODAY
GRAND JURY EXPECTED TO EXAMINE
THE POLICE BOARDS PRESIDENT.
OTHER COMMISSIONERS MAY ALSO BE IN
TERROGATED IN THE EFFORT
TO FASTEN RESPONSIBILITY
FOR PROTECTED VICE.
FOR PROTECTED VICE.

When the Grand Jury resumes this morning its
investigation Of the recent prevalence of pro
tected' vice In this city of the first TO
be brought before # for Interrogation will be Ber-
nard J. York. president of the Board of Police
Commissioners. It Is said that Captain Thomas.
in trying to shield himself while the Grand Jury
was examining him last week. intimated that his
many faults Of commission and omission. especially
the stopping of music IN respectable resorts and
the non-suppression Of poolrooms were the result
Of orders. explicit implied. from Chief Devery.
Devery it is said, equally emphatic in laying
the burden Of his shortcomings upon the Com
missoners. and for that reason the Grand Jury
viii try ascertain If York will himself shoulder
the responsibility for Deverys course. lay it upon
his fellow Commissioners push II back upon
Devery, or in turn intimate that he, too. received
orders from higher up"
After the Grand Jury gets through with Mr. York
they may call Jacob Hess Henry E Abel and
John B. Sexton. the remaining Commissioners.
Jacob Hess yesterday would not discuss the prob
ability of his being called before the Grand
Jury At the house Of John B. Sexton Tribune
reporter was told Last night that he had gone to
Atlantic City.
Commissioner Abel was quoted yesterday as say
ing about this entire movement: The whole thing
is simply the old cry of blackman which has
been heard for thirty and is entirely without
foundation"
Mr. Hess was also asked yesterday II there was
any basis for the prevailing rumors that there is
likely to be shake up in the Police Department.
would not be adverse to a shake up. He asserted
that the present closing up OF the dives. pool
rooms. gambling houses and disreputabIe drinking
resorts would not be merely temporary. perrna-
nent. When Chief DeVerv was asked YESTERDAY If
a snake up IN the force contemplated he re-
Piled, with characteristic efrontery: mo; nv men
have been doing their duty, and there is no need
for any shake-up'
The excise law was not observed with any great
degree or strlctness in the hotels yesterday Drinks
were served only at tables in most cases il is true
but the formality OF pretending TO eat ANYTHING al
the same time was not observed. except in a few
cases The Sunday concerts kept within the
limits Or decenCy and the women found no peace
IN the Tenderlon unless they stayed at home
Inc report published in The Tribune Yesterday
IIlat Recorder tIon may continue the March Grand
jury INTO april as a special Grand Jury If it is
not able 70 nnlsh the police and the Third Avenue
talroad Investigations before April was hailed
with pleasure in many quarters. Il was pointed
out that because the March Grand Jury has ex-
cluded Asa Bird Gardiner from its room the Dis
Irict Attorney viii be strongly inclined to paw all
his attention and lay all his evidence against gam
piers before the regular pril Grand Jury and this
VIII form justitahle grounds upon which the Spe-
cIai 1Fihd jury can base request TO the Governor
70 assign special Deputy Attorney General to
auV-se Il ana prosecute its indictments. If the
e5rana Jury IS put in possession Of legal evidence
slloFlng Jlat on1ciaIs have neglected their du+y
evidence which viii stand in trial court il is ne
Heved they viii nor hesitate to indict the Police
Commissioners. 'Oo