Evening star., 1903-07-15
SPRINGS A SURPRISE
POLICEMAN DYsON'S STATEMENT
AT GILLoTT HEARING.
Says Stranger Admitted He Paid $50
for Position on Police
Force.

There was something of a surprise de-
veloped today in the hearing of the case
of Policeman Joseph L. elliott, who Is
charged with promising to procure posi-
tions lin the police and fire departments
for several persons for a pecuinary consid-
Grafton. The surprise was occasioned by
the testimony Of Policeman F. A. Dyson
colored who voluntarily came to the court
room to make statement with regard to
the circumstances mentioned by Police
man Mahaney, a witness for the prosecu-
tion at the hearing yesterday.
The statements of officer Dyson opened
up new line of investigation for the pros
ecution. 1t had been expected that the in
quiry would be concluded this afternoon
but from the Developments of today 1t was
decided to adjourn the hearing until Friday
morning at II 80 o'clock.
The trial board met at 30 O'Clock TINS
afternoon. Robert T. Moffett. business
man of this city. was the first witness called
by the defense. He testified to the good
character of elliott and Attorney Lambert
stated that the defense had no more VIII
nesses to examine.
The trial board was informed that officer
Dyson was waiting outside and was des1r-
GUS of making a statement with respect to
Mahaney'S testimony. Dyson was called In
and told a story, which differed very ma
terially from that recited by Mahaney
Officer Mahaney stated on the stand yester-
day that while standing on the corner OF
1th and T streets some time ago strange
man came up to the corner and engaged In
conversation with Officer Dyson.
when the man went away, said Ma
haney, Dyson told me the man had stated
to him that he had paid elliott $50 to Sc
cure him a position on the force.
Mahaney said he did not hear the con-
versation between Dyson and the stranger.
Dyson's Statement.
IN
day. said:
During the Christmas holidays I was
talking with Mahaney on the street, when
a gentleman came up to us and Mahaney
said to me, Here's a man who gave Gill
lott $50 to get on the force l asked the
man If he did that and he admitted he did.
I told him he was fool to do that. for If
the major knew of 1t he would never put
him on the force"
officer Dyson said that it was common
knowledge among the men that elliott mad
big influence. and that it was the general
belief that Senator McComas was back OF
him. He said further. that his partner,
Policeman r. H. Hughes had told him that
elliott never passed the examination. but
that he got on the force through the use
of influence. Witness stated in reply to a
question from Attorney Lambert of the de-
fense. that he had falling out with elliott
some time ago and that he had not had
much to do with him lately.
Decides to Extend Investigation.
At the conclusion Of Dyson's examination
the board decided that further time should
bo devoted to the investigation of the case
on trial, and an adjournment was taken
until Friday morning in order that other
witnesses may be summoned, and also that
Dyson might have an opportunity to iden-
tify the man who, he said. had admitted
that he paid elliott $50 to get him on the
force.
Before adjournment Mr.. Lambert had
Mr. Kemp. the stenographer. read the de-
position of Mr.. n. Carroll Downs, secretary
OF Senator McComas. which was taken
yesterday afternoon at Providence Hospital,
where Mr.. Downs is confined as the result
of an operation for appendicitis.
Mr.. Downs stated that elliott was a
great talker and characterized him a
hot air artist" He said that elliott per-
haps talked too much for his own good
With regard to the influence elliott had
used to get his position. Mr.. Downs said it
vas perfectly legitimate and was not pro-
cured by a money consideration.