Evening journal., 1902-02-04
CAPTAIN BLACK
is ENUMERATED
Police Commission Acquitted
Him After Short Hearing
WALLS DROPPED A BOMB
Declared That Affidavit Was Not Pre-.
pared by Him-He Signed II
While Intoxicated

Charges against Police Captain George
Black were investigated by the Police
Commission last night, and after a full
hearing were dismissed. Even more sur
prising than theprompt action Of the com
mission in the matter was the appear
ance Of John Walls whose name appear
ed on the affidavit charging Black with
having received bribes from policy back
ers and houses Of ill-fame, and his decla-
ration that he was intoxicated at the
time he signed the affidavit. However,
he did not know the contents of the paper
until about two weeks after he had
sworn to IT, He denied absolutely that
he had ever made accusations against
Captain Black.
The charges stated briefly were:
That Captain Black in the latter part
Of last March called on Samuel J. Levy,
in the Hotel Walton, Philadelphia, and
then and there received from Levy in
structions as 10 how to proceed TO arrest
James Walls and Clarence Smith.
That Captain Black, after causing the
arrest of Walls and Smith. called on
Levy at the Hotel Walton and from him
received money for his work
That Captain Black had received from
Sadie Martin. in the nature Of a bribe a
silver service at the time Of his marriage
James Walls, who was Levy's principal
policy hacker in this city, was arrested
by Captain Black in March last. He
signed the affidavit containing charges
against the captain in December but in
the latter part Of January was tipped
that warrant had been issued FOR his
arrest, and he fed to Chester. Later he
went to Philadelphia, where he is now
living. There has been a warrant for him
in this city, but City Solicitor Reinhardi
promised him immunity from Monday
until Tuesday at noon if he would return
TO testify before the police commissioner
last night Through the efforts Of his
wife, Walls consented to face the com
missioners.
Walls Surprising Statements
Walls declared that the affidavit sign
ed by him was given to him by j. Harr.
Massey. saloonkeeper and withou
knowing the contents he signed the docu
ment in the office of Magistrate Bradley
Being unable TO read he says he did no
learn the contents of the affidavit unit
about two weeks after he signed IL
Then he sought former Detective Ber
nard J. McNey and stated his suspicion
that a job was being put on him." Nc
Ney denied that there was anything il
the affidavit accusing Captain Black o
receiving money from Levy.
Walls admitted that some people wer
working to get Black out Of the de
partment. Captain Black produced tn
. IL I.s. a. aa
plated pitcher, about six inches in height
| The captain declared that it was take
to his mothers house two days after h
was married by Officer Mcbride, withou
| his knowledge.
The investigation was public and Car
| tain Black was not represented by coun
sell City Solicitor Reinhardt was presen
and at times questioned the witnesse
who were Mr. and Mrs. Walls, and tn
captain. They were sworn before test
flying. President Clarkson read the aff
davit setting forth the accusations an
then submitted it to Walls.
Examination Begins
did You sign thatG' asked Mr.. Clarl
son Of Walls.
After looking at the signature, Wal
admitted that he must have signed tn
affidavit.
when you made that did you hay
any personal knowledge that CAPITAL
Black mad been to the Hotel Walton
see Samuel J. Levy"
"No, sir. / never said that. So far q
the silver service is concerned, ! ncvI
said that either. So far as receivir
money from Levy is concerned, l don
know nothing more about it than a ma
in the moon. ! cannot read what is in
now"
Mrs. Walls here interrupted, and r
marked that her husband was intoxica
ed at the time he signed the paper, al
: Walls said that he was in that conditio
May l ask you who presented tn
, aflidavity' asked Mr.. Clarkson.
/, Harry Massey" replied walls.
Did you make any suggestion to Ma
sey to have this preparedT
! ! NO, sir. They have been after me
several occasions about whether l sa
Captain Black get Eoney from Levy.
know nothing about it and have ney
: been to the Hotel Walton. So far as I
silver service is concerned. Harry Nj
sey told me Officer Mcbride told h
Il that that woman gave II TO Black
so far as these charges are concern'
= personally. you know nothing abe
(, themT'
"No, sir ! know nothing about the
Word came from Levy's clerks that q;
j tain Black saw Levy"
"Y0u do not know OF your own y
:, sonal knowledgeY
! mo, sir"
"Levy's clerks told you about thisT'
"Yes. Levy's clerks came down frl
Philadelphia daily and gave us orders.
-r Mrs. Walls Explains
le Mrs Walls again asked permission
d explain a circumstance. which was gra
s, ed. She said il was an unusual occ
re