New-York tribune., 1905-01-24
JEROME AND MOSS TILT.
PROBING THE CORONERS.
The District attorney Tells of a
"VIe System of Shake Dozen"

New evidence OF bad blood between District At
torney Jerome and ex-Ponce Commissioners Frank
Moss presented in the Court of General Ses-
sions yesterday when the two quarreled
openly before Recorder Gof. The encounter seemed
peculiarly significant to witnesses who remembered
that the two belligerents and the Recorder were
fast friends and associates counsel Tor the
Lexow Committee in 1894
Mr.. Moss appeared as counsel for Coroner Jack
son. who was arrested last week on the charge Of
attempted bribery, and Mr. Jerome present 10
ask for delay in the examination of the prisoner
until an indictment had been found. Incidentally
there was the announcement that Mr.. Jerome was
seeking to ndict the whole board of coroners' and
mad tried to extort confession from Coroner Jack
son. This was blurted out by Mr. Jerome when
he had become angry
Mr.. Moss told the Recorder that OF Mr.
Jeronae'S county detectives called Coroner jackson
from a meeting of the board of coroners and
husted' him before the District Attorney. IN
stead OF taking him before magistrate and that
Dr jackson was kept in the with Mr. Jerome
Tor an hour. while the District Attorney was urs-
ing him to reveal alleged corrupt practices by the
other coroners, and promising him immunity if he
would tell. and threatening to send him to the
electric chair If he refused. Then Mr. Moss said.
Coroner jackson was searched rudely that some
OF his pockets were out. and articles of per
sonal property were taken from him and had not
been returned. Afterward. Mr.. Moss on. the
prisoner was taken TO court. and at the door OF
the courtroom his hat knocked off his head
by the county detective
Mr. Jerome white with anger when he got
hearing, and he said. with evident feeling:
There was laid before me evidence which con-
sidered OF the most conclusive nature and which
forms Of felony, that of bribery. and bribery in
TWO cases namely. attempting to bribe two differ
eht persons II is true. the learned counsel has
stated | caused detective from my office 10 go
the alleged crime not demanding that a warrant
be issued II is fact that this defendant was
Of the very irregular and crooked course pursued
IN the coroners office for years. and told this
defendant that did not believe he was alone In the
netarious TRANSACTIONS of three long years
knew prevailed ana characterized as brutal and
vile a system which included the intermingling of
affcted the n1ourners Of their dead for the
purpose I OF shaking down some poor unfortunate; @
conditions prevailed had been informed and do
n hs he prso BG bG %er he To e and
deserve to get the electric chair.
not beIjeys this man was alone for three 9Pg
and told this defendant that II he would lay
before me such information he possessed regard
would accept him as a States witness and sur
round him with certain immunity. as it is in the
TRADE on the part Of Nh Moss am personaIy
RESPONSIBLE for my actions as District Attorney Of
meWY1rk & G5 GS5un "a and am PREPARED to 9aTor m
the course it may take / cannot discern the wis
dom OF his TRADE. large part of which was false.
unless with view TO expressing some emotion. he
The grand jury. wish 70 state, has arranged TO
return indictment against this defendant. but
In the absence of Mr.. Perkins l hesitated about
sending imperfect instrument to that body, to
be acted upon. 1 do not desire to have after
ward to make any changes in the instrument
think the Indictment will be filed Tomorrow and
following that the usual course OF procedure
and will be followed
"It appears very clearly, from what the District
Attorney has admitted. that what I said was true
regarding this defendant having been submitted
the third degree" Mr.. Moss began. when Mr. Je-
rome interrupted, asking of the Recorder: Shall
we sit here while this gentleman advertses him
self?"
Il maintain" Mr.. Moss said, that the defend
ant, being a public official, there was nothing to
Justify such proceeding -
I insist that this TRADE is quite useless Mr..
Jerome said
Now. the District Attorney cannot possibly keep
quiet" said Mr. Moss
Not while you are within hearing OF my voice
and l can reply to your tnsnuations." said Mr..
Jerome
Recorder Goff raped for attention and said he
die not believe it was proper for him TO take any
Immediate action other than to adjourn the hearing
and continue bail for Coroner Jackson
Mr.. Moss attempted TO be heard again. and Mr.
Jerome suggested that they adjourn from the court
room and allow the calendar 10 be taken up. Mr.
Jerome went directly to his office. not meeting
Mr.. Moss outside, and later made public a letter
from Mr.. Moss requesting a copy OF q statement
and adding: 4 think. in view OF all the circun-
stances it would be better not to take any more
statements from those connected with the coroners
office. and have advised them