Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1900-1903, 1902-11-11

The WORK OF THE SPOTTER.
Where. Does He Get His Infor-
nation About Stores.

They Say That McClair Is the Man
That Is Back of Them-But Who Is
the Man That Is Back Of the Me
Clair Agency, That Is the Question
Waterbury People Would Like to
See Settled.
According to the present system Of
prosecuting liquor violations of the
law, anyone lacking principle and cash
can easily get a supply OF the latter.
Ihe prosecution, Saturday. OF eleven
cases of alleged violations of this kind
will cost The city about $130.60, not
Wltnstanding that ali of the eleven
cases were discharged, two OF them
after evidence was taken and the rest
without going to that bother and de
lay. From the outset the prosecutions
We're mere farce. The complainants
We're private detectives, and very poor
ones at that, the worst that have ever
been heard in the city court. But de-
spite all that they are entitled to their
fees and travelling expenses which the
law allows them. Their witness fees
amount to 1920 and their expenses
for coming here from New Haven to
do work which the city has employed
policemen to do and are well paid for
amount to $40, making a total Of
$20.60. This, added to Prosecutor
Pierce's fee, $40 for each case, whether
or not the prosecution is successful,
makes $4,000. No one has been bene-
fitted by these prosecutions but those
who brought the cases, while on the
other hand the city will have to foot
the bill.
The principle of the matter, however,
is the point which has caused q good
deal OF discussion. Though Mr. Pierce
has stated on every occasion that pri-
vate detectives, presumably agents of
the Law and Order league. have op-
Grated here, that he knew nothing
about them until they entered their
complaints, the impression still pre-
walls in the public mind that he al
ways is cognizant Of their presence,
and some so to the extent of saying
that he has always brought them here
Admitting his denial, the question then
presents ITSELF who instructs those
private detectives to come here? TAX
ing up the testimony Of the detective
John Dinn1e. one Of the detectives in
the cases that were prosecuted last
Saturday, Very little light is thrown on
this point. He said he was. sent, here
from McClair's detective agency in New
haven that it the prosecution was sue
cessful he would be paid certain sum.
the amount he did not say. and that if
the prosecution failed he would be
paid only his expenses. Where does
McClair's interests enter then? Those
who have been discussing this matter
say that McClair must have some in
terest in the cases else he would not
send detectives to spy on liquor deal
ers- Dinnie said he was given the ad-
dress Of one Of the accused, how to an
prach his place. and all other direc-
tlons, in McClair's Office before he came
here. He was given similar directions
ABOUT the other accused. Has Mr. Me-
Clalr,s the address of all the LIQUOR
dealers and drug stores in the city?
presumably he has, for Dinnie. his
friend. seemed to have had no difficulty
IN finding them. How did McClair get
those addresses? It is not supposed
that he got them by making a tour Of
the city, for even if he did make such
, a trip he would not have obtained all
the information he seemingly possesses,
particularly in the cases in question.
for in most of them neither the num-
Der Of the place nor the name Of the
keeper thereof are over the door. In
one case Dinnie said he got the mum
ber from the door, but the owner of the
saloon, as well as the owner of the
building testified that this was i'm
possible. because the number was not
on the door. 1t is therefore very evi-
dent that some one feeds McCIair's S
agency with the information that can
not be obtained from the sign over the
door; that it can. in fact. be had only
| from some one who has this informa-
| tion in an official capacity. Dinnie's
evidence showed that McClair's agency
| put a premium on perjury in these
cases at all events. but it left open to
| speculation the identity of the parties
! who are behind McClair in all these
|. prosecutions, for it is not supposed that
! he pays his detectives for their work
when they fail to report success, a
Dinnie and his fellow detective have
not called for their fees in the recent
cases. nor has Mr. Pierce been paid
| his S110 for his hours work in court.
| But it will be paid them whenever
| thev call for it, and anyone short of
cash can appoint himself an officer of
| the law as it is at present constituted.
obtain LIQUOR by deception. then enter
complaint against those that furnished
| it and pocket the proceeds OF his work.
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THE BUILDING COLLAPSED.
Wilkesbarre, Pa, Nov 11.-Charles
T. To- Co. A..1I