New-York tribune., 1901-01-07
GAMBLERS PAY MILLIONS.
TAMNIANY COMMITTEE AFTER PROTEC-
TION COMMISSION.
THE FIVE HEAR THAT sl.7OacOO IS CONTRIB.
UTED YEARLY AND PROMISE
PROSECUTION

Several rumors were current yesterday as to
the future plan Of the Tammany Committee Of
Five. One was that the committee had learned
that the gambling houses contributed about
S1,7O0O00 year for protection" and that this
stupendous sum for shielding the gambling dens
from interference was turned over to the mem
bers Of the Gambling Commission It was
further said that owing to this alleged discovery
the Committee Of Five intended to confne its
efforts mainly to lessening the evils existing in
this city by learning. if possible who are the
members Of the Gambling Commission who
are their hirelings, how the money for protect
ing gambling places Is collected and who share
in the division. 1t was declared that the COM
mittee would not be contented until It had
learned the full facts Of the matter and that
1t would not try to have punished the lesser
members of the Gambling Commission" but
the members of the Commission who were really
responsible for nUrturing all forms of gambling,
especially the poOlrOoms. Efforts were made
yesterday TO see the members of the Committee
Of Five, but they were mostly unsuccessful. NJ.
Warley Platzek was found and when asked
about the reports said: Il am surprised. This
is the first have heard about such reports
NIXON SAYS HE DIDN'T APPROACH
BISHOP.
Lewis Nixon, chairman of the Committee of
Five, said yesterday that he would like to hear
what Richard Croker had to say about the ad-
dress made by Bishop Potter at the City Club
on Friday night last, in which the Bishop said
that he had been asked by man representing
himself to be speaking for Mr.. Croker if he
would be satisfied with the head Of Inspector
Cross or Captain Herlihy. Mr.. Nixon made this
declaration in denying a rumor current yester-
day that he was the emissary referred to by
Bishop Potter. Mr.. Nixon was confined to his
home with a slight attack of the grip. and a
message was sent to his room. He was asked
if there were any new developments in the in
vestigations Of the Committee Of Five whether
It was true that he had sent a list of gambling
and disorderly houses found open by the COM
mittee to Chief Devery. He was further asked
about the report that legal steps would be taken
to punish Chief Devery if he did not close up
the places named in the list.
Mr.. Nixon wrote a reply to these questions
asked by The Tribune reporter. and said:
There are no new developments in the vice
situation but less complaints. l have nothing
to say about the Chief Of Police I was not
the to whom Bishop Potter referred, but I
am particularly anxious to hear Mr.. CrOker's
version of the story.
The reporter asked the servant if she would
ask Mr.. Nixon if he would say why he was par
ticularly anxious to hear Mr.. Croker's version
said that she could not take another message
to Mr. Nixon, as he did not want to be disturbed
again.
GRAND JURY READY TO ACT.
The Committee Of Five will meet to-day. 1t
was thought yesterday that it would have some
evidence to turn over to District Attorney Phil
bin for presentation to the Tammany Grand
Jury. which will be sworn in to-day before
Judge Cowing. Fifty talesmen have been sum-
moned to appear in court and Of that number
twenty-three will be selected to act as Grand
Jurors Just what matter will be laid before
the Grand Jury for their consideration by Dis
trict Attorney Philbin could not be learned yes
terday. When a Tribune reporter called at the
home of Mr. Philbn at No. S33 West Seventy
was out, and ne could not be found. 1t is said
that the Grand Jury Will surely be called upon
to investigate the charges that have been made
against Bellevue Hospital. and TO inquire about
the existence of vice in this city. 1t said
also that the Grand Jury would be asked to
consider charges that had not been aired in
magistrates court. This will not be following
the precedent established by Colonel Gardiner.
II this proposed plan is carried out, the Grand
Jury will be able to obtain many facts about
cases that IL could not learn If the cases were
previously heard in police court
According to a report, Messrs. Nixon and
Platzek have already presented, through Depu-
the law to Captains Thomas. Albertson. Dia-
mond and Price.
William II. Baldwin. jr, chairman OF the Com
mittee Of Fifteen, announced last night that his
committee was not yet ready to make its re-
port about its Investigations.