New-York tribune., 1906-07-04
FAILED TO TRAP WHITE
STORY OF THAW'S SLEUTH.
DetectiUe Says He Had Orders to
Annoy Architect.

Testimony amecting the life and character Of
stsnSord White. who was killed by Harry Ken
dan Thaw, given yesterday at the District
Attorneys ofice by John E. McKenna was
little less than sensational. McKenna is man.
agsr Of the Greater New York Detective Agency.
which concern was hired by Thaw to shadow
White. The story he told was directly opposite
20 the stories that have been published.
Instead Of showing White to be Mbertine,
.oue and even worse as has been so generally
and publicly stated, the official reports OF the
detectives for Whites most bitter enemy gave
him clean bill Of health"
The reports showed that White. in the year
and three months that he was almost constantly
watched, committed no iInproprieties OF conse-
quenOe. Efforts TO entrap him with young girls
thrown in his way proved futile. In fact, his
conduct was such that Thaw did not get any
evidence whatever against the man he so thor
oughly hated
The reports were received yesterday by AS
flstant District Attorney Garvan. who had SUBJ
R1naed. McKenna to appear before him and
hing them McKenna became connected with
he first through the sworn statement OF
Paul Bergoh. the detective who was hired by
White 10 watch the detectives employed by
Thaw. The records were from half dozen men.
At times two and three men would watch
White. while at other times there were four. five
ana even six men watching him, and annoying
him il possible This annoyance was done on
orders from Thaw. IL is asserted. The constant
watching of White began on March ;, 1905. 1t
lasted until practically the night. week ago
last Monday, that White met mis- death on the
roof at Madison Square Garden. There were
intervals when the detectives did not watch
him, but these were only when he went TO
Europe in June. 1905. and when he was in Can
~ fr-n1 faa first Of locF
IN spite of the allegations that White has fire.
euentiy met actresses, especially young women.
the reports showed to the contrary. They
showed that at times he took actresses out TO
dinner, but in the same manner that any man
might DO. openly and publicly. Stories Of studio
entertainments. as alleged. the reports showed
70 be unfounded
TRAPS LAID FOR WHITE.
The reports further showed that frequent ef-
forts were made by the detectives to entrap
White Young girls. for whom White al
legged 10 have a fondness. were sent out as de-
cOys but White in every instance avoided the
pitfalls and no damaging evidence was obtain
able
The detectives made their reports as complete
as detectives reports can be made. They
showed when a man picked up" as they
pressed it. the object of their watching: what
occurred during the time that White was
watched and when this surveillance ended Then
second man relieved the first man and made
q similar report In this manner the entire
tine that White was out of his home or his
ONCE vas covered by the detectives. and moth
ing that occurred was left out OF the reports.
Thaw is thought to have expended a large
sum in this surveillance of White Not only
we're the men paid S6 and 81 a day. nut all ex-
penses were paid These included, the repolts
showed, electric cabs hansoms. and many din
ners and suppers in places of public resort
where White had gone. Bergoff in his state
ment to the District Attorney, swore that White
paid him $4,000 for his work, and as there "ere
many in the Thaw employ the cost is
thought r. have been several times that amount.
fot only did the detectives watch White. but
oay also "shadowed" several young women
With whose actions White was alleged to have
been connected. These young women, all ac'
Eesses. just as carefully watched and In
no instance We're they found TO have committed
improprieties.
NcKenna assured Mr. Garvan that he would
90 al in his power 10 clear up the case, as far as
me detectives end is concerned. He told MI.
Ssfean that any information that he could COM
mand would be Immediately forthcoming.
The reports Of the detectives were not studied
y Nr Garvan at any length yesterday. The
District Attorneys Office. however. is known to
g eiated with the reports It has failed utterly,
Is said, TO find any substantiation for the
many reports made against Whites character.
70 cap this climax. the reports from employees
y Ihaw, also showing that White was not the
man generally alleged. make the prosecutions
1sse exceedingly clear. il is thought
SAY MISS NEsBIT ACCUSED THAw.
The only motive for the crime. 1t is under
s'ood, that The District Attorneys oflce has
'Ylnd 50 far is ono chiefly based upon rumor.
Continued second page.