Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-18
Hearing Of Crossings Police
men Before Trial Board.
A WITNESS ACCUSED
TESTIMONY THAT HE DEMANDED
PAY FOR APPOINTMENT.
Address by Attorney for Joseph elliot
Board to Weigh Evidence and
Make Report.

Crossing Policeman Robert II. Hughes
was the first witness called In the invest-
cation Of the elliott case at police head
quarters this morning. Hughes has known
elliott for several years and had heard OF
his political influence in Maryland. Hughes
said he had never heard OF elliott offering
to obtain positions on the police force or the
fire department for money. The witness
said. however. that he had asked elliott
II he had ever been examined and the lat
ter had told him the only examination he
had taken was six years ago, and he had
been rejected because he was too old.
Mr. Lambert objected to this testimony
being retained in the record, and his objec-
ton was overruled. The witness was asked
excused.
J. w. Mossburg was next placed on the
stand being recalled for examination as to
his acquaintance with Mahaney. Mossburg
was excused, but as he was going away
was asked to return and testified that ne
met Gwynne. and that Gwynne had told
him to see Dyson and Mahaney. Mossburg
did not see Dyson for several days. but
when he did see him Dyson told him about
the man who had approached Dyson and
Mahaney and had told one Of them that he
had paid $50 to elliott to get him a position
on the police force. The witness said he
was not aware that Dyson and Mahaney
knew Of any such occurrence until Informed
by Gwynne.
Mossburg said he secured some informa-
ton from Dyson. He had seen Dyson
twice, he said, since the investigation began
and denied that he had seen Dyson more
than that during the week.
The Fifty-Dollar Incident
When questioned regarding the $50 cpl
sode. Mossburg said he had asked elliott
who 1t was that offered elliott the $50 but
he did not tell him. elliott had told him
that a prominent newspaper man had put
the man to work
Mr.. Lambert questioned the witness close
ly as to who had told him Of the incident.
The witness was very reluctant to tell OF
persons who had told him they knew OF tho
offer, and when pinned down could give the
names of no persons who knew except
Crossing Policeman Martin. Witness
claimed that he had heard a number of
persons speak Of the matter. He mentioned
the names of Policemen Murphy and Nus
baum OF the Sixth precinct as persons who
had heard OF the so incident.
Gwynne was then recalled to testify az to
what conversation he may have had with
Mossburg. Witness said that he had not
told Mossburg he knew anything OF the $50
incident Gwynne said he had suggested to
Mossburg in the course of conversation
that II Dyson knew anything of the matter
he would be likely to tell, as he was not a
good friend Of elliott. Witness did not re-
member whether or not ne had mentioned
Mahaney Gwynne further said he had
seen Dyson and Mossburg together every
day. Mossburg he said, had come to him
several days ago and had told him that the
major had sent him to get the names Of
some men. and he had told Mossburg he
would have nothing to do with him. The
witness told Mossburg to go to Dyson.
Dyson's Alleged o6enss.
The most startling testimony Of the day
was that given by Joseph E. Crown, who
stated that Dyson had offered to get him
a position on the police force for $50 Crown
said he was an applicant for a position on
tho force and that he had accepted Dyson's
offer. He did not pay the money, how
ever. Crown was appointed a policeman
about three years ago. and served in tho
second precinct for about two years Crown
testified that when he was appointed on the
force Dyson, at that time q crossing police
man. came to him and demanded the $50
Crown said he asked Dyson how he had
done anything to get him a position on the
force. Dyson again demanded the money,
but when Crown threatened to investigate
Dyson persuaded him to let the matter
drop.
Crown said. on cross examination that
he has been dismissed from the police force
for conduct unbecoming officer. He
said ne had met elliott yesterday and had
make charges against him, elliott when
he. Dyson. was In the same business HIM
self. Crown was then excused and Desk
Sergeant Heiter OF the sixth precinct was
called to testify as to the hours the cross
ing policemen in his precinct had worked
during the Christmas holidays.
elliott on the Stand.
elliott was then placed on the stand
again for examination regarding the testi-
mony OF Mossburg to the effect that he
offer of $50 from man who wanted to get
on the police force. elliott denied ever
having said anything of the kind to Moss
burg. and characterized the statements OF
Mossburg on the stand as absolutely false
elliott stated also that he had never re-
ceved money or made any offer to get a
position for money for any one.
The testimony was closed with elliott e
statement. and Mr.. Lambert addressed the
court purely regarding the case He care
fully reviewed the evidence from the be-
ginning. citing the charges against his
client and that offered by the defense.
Mr.. l-ambertS address brief. but he
covered all the important points in the
case and made a carefully arranged argu-
ment
He said the testimony OF Mossburg and
Dyson was practically all that presented
any charges against elliott and he con-
fined himself principally to attacking the
testimony of these tvo witnesses and their
general character.
AT the conclusion OF Mr.. 1-amberts argu-
ment, the board adjourned The evidence
will be carefully weighed by the members
of the board and will be submitted to Maj.
Sylvester.
The case will probably be taken into the
District courts before ii Is finally disposed