Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-10
THE elliott HEARING
Proceedings Before the Police
Trial Board.
THE TESTIMONY HEARD
DEFENDANT ENTERS PLEA OF
NOT GUILTY.
Witness States That Money Was Paid
to Secure Positions-An A.
legged Contract.
THE TESTIMONY HEARD


lice and fire departments by influence. The
case was brought to the attention of the
trial board yesterday, when the first ses-
sion was held in Major Sylvester's Office at
4 o'clock. After hearing several witnesses
adjournment was taken until 2 o'clock
this afternoon, when the case was resumed.
There about four more witnesses to-
be examined, and it is possible that the
hearing may be concluded this afternoon
The trial board. however will not render its
findings today. The report will be made
to Major Sylvester and will not be made
public for several days probably. until it
is forwarded to the Commissioners with
the majors recommendations.
John G.. Germs Testifes.
John G. Germs, an applicant for a posi-
ton on the police force, was the first wit
ness called today. In reply to a question
by Mr. Sinclair he said he had been &C
quainted with elliott for two or three years.
How did you meet him?" Mr.. Sinclair
asked
Il sought an introduction to him through
a friend"
who was it?''
"a. d. Mofratt" was the answer.
Why did you do that?' he was asked.
because Monatt told me 1t would be a
good thing to do"
would intercede for him and declared that
there was nothing said by either himself
or elliott about the payment of any money.
You say that you did not agree to pay
any one money! Mr.. Sinclair inquired.
No, sir; there was nothing said by me or
any one else about the payment of money"
Germs replied.
In reply to a question from Attorney
Lambert Germs said he did not know of
any one nor had he heard of any one pay
ing for a position on the police department.
Yesterdays Investigation.
Policeman elliott appeared in Major Syl-
westerns office yesterday afternoon at 4
o'clock. and entered a plea of not guilty
to the charge against him, which reads as
follows:
Private Joseph L. elliott is accused of
conduct unbecoming officer, in that said
Joseph L. elliott did then and there, in
the District of Columbia. being a private
of Class 1, in the metropolitan police de-
partment of the District of Columbia, as such
and during and while serving a special
tsreet hailroad crossing policeman in the
District of Columbia, to wit, between the
LIST day Of January, 1902, and the 7th day
of July, 1903, including the months of Oc-
tober, November and December, 1902, and
from time to time during and including the
month of June, 1908, did cause to be pre-
sented to him, approach, and receive divers
burg, A D. Moffatt, j. G.. Germs, w. T.
Allen and one Davis, and did promise said
persons to use political power and influence
and thereby secure said persons appoint
ment in the police and fire departments of
the District of Columbia, for certain pecu-
mary and valuable considerations, the
amount of which Is unknown, to the dis
credit of the police and fire departments
of the District of Columbia
Attorney Wilton j. Lambert appeared as
counsel for the accused policeman. AL
though not member of the board Major
Sylvester was present and listened atten-
lively to the testimony. Capt. Pearson and
Lieutenant Swindells were members of the
board, the third member being Mr.. Sin
clair. the assistant corporation counsel.
During the hearing the accused policeman
left his seat and paced the floor. For
short time it was anticipated there would
be stormy scene.
Owes the Board Nothing.
MIR. elliott" said Major Sylvester, will
you please take your seat?'
elliott not certain about taking his
seat. and so informed his superior officer.
You owe that much to the board" the
major remarked.
II don't owe the board anything" was
the response.
Three witnesses were examined at yes
terday's session. They were Joseph Will
lam Mossburg, Crossing Policeman Martin
ana fOnCeIndn MOHdtt- During the time
Mossburg was upon the witness stand tho
members of the board learned considerable
about the alleged doings of the man on
trial. He told the board that Crossing
Policeman Martin had given him the infor-
nation that positions on the police force
had been "cornered." Mossburg said he
was an applicant and was anxious for an
appointment.
His Recommendations.
Mossburg said he informed Martin that
he had recommendations from Senators
Daniel and Martin and Representatives
Warren and Clark. This influence, he said.
Martin told him was not worth a fig.
Witness said he was given to understand
that he could get his appointment without
passing the examination, and that night
he was introduced to the man who was
said to control the right influence. That
man proved to be elliott.
The witness went on to say that s125
was the price set by elliott for the work
OF getting him an appointment He said
he protested that the amount was too
high. but elliott told him everybody was
in the habit of paying that amount. Moss
burg said he was given note Of intro
duction to Capt. Brady. the well-known
newspaper correspondent who has since
died He had several interviews with the
captain. who invariably inquired If he
(Mossburg) had seen Joe. Capt. Brady,
he said. told him that he should pay money
to elliott, and the latter told him that
$2S $50 would do retainer.
Witness said he asked Martin about his
Influence, and he mentioned the names of
Senator Martin, Senator Clark, Mr.. Alli-
son Nailor and Mr. b. H. Warner Re-
ferring to his visit to the office of Capt.
Brady the witness stated that the captain
asked him a number of questions in the
line OF the civil service, and told him:
I'VE have put whole lot of people on
the police force"
Mossburg said he knew Policeman Moi
fatt and had seen money pass between
Kim and elliott.
The Number Benefited.
This all happened in November of last
year.
did you ever ask Mr. elliott how many
persons there were for whom he had pro-
cured appointments on the police force?"
the witness was asked.
Eyes. sir. We used to often laugh and
talk about It,"
How many did he say he had gotten mp
"Firemen and policemen together, over
two or three hundred in the last two
years."
Did he tell you his average charge for
getting fremen into the Department.?
Yes sir. 1t was $50"
Witness told the trial board that he had
twenty-three newspaper men sign his
paper asking for an appointment. He had