New-York tribune., 1901-08-11
MURPHY ORDERS INQUIRY
THINKS TT INCREDIBLE THAT CoNDI-
TIoNS DESCRIBED COULD EXIST
IN THE DEPARTMENT.

Police Commissioner Murphy arrived at Head
auarfers shortly AFTER o'clock. There were
plenty OF newspaper men on hand to greet him.
1T seems incredi5Ie 10 me that such a story
can be true" said the Commissioner. Il can
not believe it. 7 do not see how it would be
possible to use the exclusive police wires for
such purposes
What are you going to do about it?" he was
asked.
Il have had official report as yet, you
know" said he Sometimes when the news
papers can't get the exact facts they do the best
they can. I used to be compositor. and know
something about how it is. As soon as get the
routine work out Of the way shall investigate
this natter
Colonel Kipp. the chief clerk. then whispered
to the Commissioner. and Mr. Murphy appeared
to take fresh interest He rang bell for an
extra stenographer and ordered that a List or the
telephone operators on duty Friday be furnished
Later the Commissioner said that he had
given Inspector Brooks orders TO make an in
vestigatiou in the telegraph bsfreau. He said
that the inspector was taxirs sworn statements
of the men in the telegraph bureau. and that
they would be forwarded to the District At
torney The Commissioner would then ask for a
criminal investigation.
"wfn you send these statements If the evi-
dence does not warrant?
IT win send them. anyway. I viii let him
decide what 10 DO. viii go as far as he does
to clarity the existing conditions. IL found to
BE- true"
Where is Deveryo" the Commissioner was
asked.
understand that he is IN Saratoga c. Il
short vacation. He left. believe. on the after
noon of Thursday and will stay there for some
time. coming down every Wednesday night TO
be here on Thursday for the police tria's 1 only
understand this you know
DO you think he viii hasten his return
owing to tho charges?"
I don't think he will I don't see Why he
should for a few statements published in the
morning uewsra pers
The Commissioner said he hadn't heard from
the Deputy Commissioner on the charges
The Commissioner summoned Superintendent
Brennan, of the Telegraph Bureau, before him
and Mr.. Brennan said that he kept record or
every message that went through the bureau
He said that no such messages as were men
toned in Mr. MOSS statement had gone
through Friday. and also that he had neVe-
received any orders 70 allow citizen named
Whitney, or anyone else. to use the telephone
Asked again concerning the alleged order Tor
Whitney TO use the telephone, the Comrnls-
s!oneE Sald Ihat nc such oI4e5 " WouIa ~ 50 - ~
unless he gave it When asked II the men IN
the Telegraph Bureau would not recognize an
order from Devery he said that they would not.
Colonel Murphy was asked il he had seen the
published list of pool rooms alleged 70 be run
ming under police protection. He looked shocked.
and said
L have personal knowledge that many OF
them were closed weeks ago"
What are your rules with reference to the
use of police telephones he was asked
There no rules save those which provide
that the police telephones shall be restricted 10
the Of the police. and that they shall be
operated only by the precinct captains or the
man in charge OF the desk at the station"
Commissioner Murphy was later communi-
Gated with over the telephone and told that
hifrav had Jis OYa1U rar1V WAS
that he trusted they had at length caught John
Doe"