New-York tribune., 1900-04-28
THE POLICE CONDEMNED.
QUEENS GRAND JURY PRESENTMENT
AGAINST DEVERY AND OTHERS.
SAYS CHIEF TRIED TO HAMPER MERRILL
AND BAKER-COMMISSIONER RE-
PORTED PROMISES.

The Queens County Grand Jury severely criti-
cised several police officers in presentment hand
ed into court yesterday. The action was an out
come of the recent movement Of District Attorney
John B. Merrill in going over the heads or the
police and. with the aid of Sheriff Baker. raiding
the resort Of Patrick Mccarthy at No ls Borden
ave The Grand Jury has indicted Mccarthy for
keeping disordery house and for more serious
crime
Chief Devery is censured for trying subsequent
to the raid to obtain possession Of the prisoners
The presentment aroused considerable anger on
the part Of the police. 1t was generally supposed
that District Attorney Merrill and the police had
patched up their differences. 1t is now said that
District Attorney Merrill Is under promise to de-
liver the Police Commissioners not only a copy
of the presentment, but copy of the minutes OF
the Grand Jury. It is asserted that Commission
York and Abel promised drastic action II Mr..
Merrill furnished the evidence, and that except for
this Mr.. Merrill would have pressed the police in
quiry to the final issue of indictments against one
or two of those mentioned in the presentment.
The presentment and introduction follow:
of queens. in attendance upon the April 1900 term
of the Supreme Court, having been drawn TO the
of the First Ward 70 suppress the social vice ex-
@ IN du saf nored h6 4f9 b ne ara
heard the evidence thereupon and IL appearing
with the knowledge of the police. and that they
have failed 10 perform their duty in the premises
the county authorities. the following presentment
is
We find that the captain Anthony s. Woods IN
command of said precinct, negIgently permitted
the existence of social vice in said precinct and
are surprised that he be permitted 10 maintain
high a position, as his lack OF knowledge OF the
police rules and regulations and Of memory are
certainly apparent.
The precinct detective John J. Sheridan neg
lected his duty in not suppressng said and
in not reporting them required by the rules OF
the Police Department
Second-That Patrolman Christopher J. White de-
tailed messenger in the office of the Deputy
Chief, Borough of Queens. frequent and al
nightly habftue of one of the said resorts. and
had full knowledge OF the social conditions there
existing, and failed TO take any measure sup
press the same, and the attention of his superior
officers being called to the same surprised
that he is allowed 70 maintain his position the
force.
we unquanfedy commend the action of the
county authorities in summarily suppreSsing a
torious for social vice in the precinct afOre
said when notice the police had proved una
vailing and while the police were processing ig-
denim the action Of William s. Devery. Chief Of
Police. critiCising and attempting to hamper
the county officials in their separate actions as
aforesaid
STEPHEN RYDER. Foreman.
HENRY r THOMPSON Secretary.
Dated Long Island City. April q 1900.
When President York OF the Police Board was
asked concerning the of Chief Devery he
refused to discuss II, declaring that he had not
read the criticism alleged TO have been made BY
Devery. Chief Devery could not be found about
Headquarters