The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-01
the so-caled- Ames clique. was on

err Gardaer mad 1TRifty entered upon
important evidence he was interrupted
the attorneys for DR.. Ames at every
n, objections being made mostly on the
ourd that the evidence, was not compe-
snt Occasionally the questions were OBJ
--Jected to as leading, but in the main the
state was sustained at every turn.
Gardner testified that in 1901 and before
he had been a medical student in the
office Of Dr. Ames at 81 Third street S,
he was married and lived at 412 Tenth
avenue S.
Ames Proposed the Graft
In response to a direct question from
the county attorney the witness testified
{ that he had had a conversation with DR..
) Anles on the proposal to collect toll from
unlicensed prostitutes. The scheme was
proposed by DR.. Ames himself In his pri-
vate office. He outlined what class of
women of the town were to be included
and proposed to leave the whole matter
in the hands of the witness. The latter
was to visit the women, was to inquire
into their business advantages and was to
fix the amount Of their contributions.
These were to range from $40 to SIS
monthly. according to the victims abil-
ity to pay. There was talk Of securing a
list of all the loose characters and
handling the collection plan in a system
attic manner. All, however, was to be I'M
der the personal and exclusive supervision
of Gardner.
versation the mayor explained that the
money was to be for his campaign fund.
The Guild Pro Quo.
The witness was also to have the serv-
ices Of several police officers to prevent
competition to the protected places" by
street walkers" who had no permanent
places of business. The women who paid
the money were complaining bitterly.
Gardner was appointed a special police
officer to facilitate his work
How many members of the police de-
partment did you have under your
charger" asked the county Attorney.
I should say five or six I don't ex-
actly remember"
Where did you meet them?"
.'At DR.. Ames medical office"
Where the conversations you have
mentioned were 1leld?''
Yes. at 81 Third street S."
What was said by DR.. Ames regard
Ing these details?''
HE said that he had ordered a detail
to report to me at the medical office to
secure instructions from me and was to
instruct them to drive the street walk
ers off the street"
What men did report to you?"
Chris Norbeck was one, and Officer
Sinclair. The other officers cannot recall
by name. They were from the outside dis
tricts, as men with whom the women were
acquainted were not desirable for the
work.
did you give these men instructions ?"
BY the way, were these instructions
given in the presence of DR.. Ames?" in
terposed Attorney Mead of the defense.
II mo. We don't claim that they were
replied Mr.. Boardman.
All right. Go on remarked Mr.. Mead.
Pay Of the Graft Guards.
1t appeared from the testimony of the
witness that the officers met him about
or o'clock In the evening. He gave
expense money to them each evening The
money was handed over to Officer Sinclair
who divided it among the others.
Mr.. Mead objected to the evidence relat-
ing to handing money to Sinclair unless
1t was claimed that the officer was a
party to the conspiracy. The objection
was overruled.a - -
Gardner testified that he recalled one
occasion when he saw Sinclair distribute
money among the others.
"What instructions did YOU give these
officers?"
They were to go about the winerooms
theaters and public places and drive out
the streetwalkers from their usual haunts
and eff the Streets .-
What were your orders from the
mayor?"- 49,. q, Ss.~
THE orders of the doctor We're that the
women were to be run off the streets be
cause they were interfering with the other
women who were paying for protection
He said that should direct the officers
should keep track Of the most prominent
women, call the officers attention to these
women so that they could get after these
special ones
How did the mayor come to give you
these orders?' 500.
This was the result Of g. complaint
had made l told him that the women
who were paying for protection were com.
planning about the streetwalkers and ther
he told ME to put them out of business,
as they were interfering with the others
Was anything said about making list:
of names of these women?" s...
Yes, the captains of the precincts were
to make lists Of all suspected places, sucf
as candy stores and the like"
Were you to have anything to do witt
the women In the red light district?'
ono, SIR
"Do you remember Of any lists of these
Women?' Yes, sir ..f.
"Have you any such lists in your pos
session." mo, SIR
do you know where they are now?'
''No, sir
Calling attention to the mayors famous
hunting trip in November. 1901, Count,
Attorney Boardman asked:
Can you recall when Mayor Ames re
turned from that trip?' "He returned OF
Nov. 49,
"Did you see him within a day or tw,
vvyr