The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-05-24
CHIEF MATTHEWS
IN OWN BEHALF

The testimony or Cnter or Police Mat
thews. which was In the general form OF
n denial OF all the allegations made by
witness for Mr. Cristy. Is here. in fair
ness to him, given in full
"In brief, l positively deny any state
ment that Mr.. Mienhold or any other
witness has made that reflected upon the
character. standing or anything In rela-
tion to Mr.. Cristy. In regard to the
check, Mr. Meinhold telephoned for that
check. | got the check because / wanted
to know whether he was paying the
mocsey 10 the Rhode Island Temperance
league, for my own satisfaction. did
not get the check for the purpose of
showing IL TO anybody
In regard TO the visit to the penny
vaudeville the day that Mr.. Luther and
went there, / arrived there a short time
before Mr. Luther did. When Mr. Luther
came in he commenced looking at the
machines. There were some little fellows
in there that day and they pushed one
side.
"Mr. Luther commenced booking at No.
l machine and at the same time I COM
menced looking at No. machine and
when j got through with No machine
and Mr.. Luther was through with No.
took No. 2. and so on until got through
''The conversation alleged 20 have taken
place there was not as they put II. They
had some words which | do not Just
reconeot now, and ! think IL was criti-
cizlng the publicity given and told Mr..
Nash he was not to blame and TO put the
responsibility where II belonged, not using
Mr.. Cristy's name at all
I'm regard TO the story / called Mr.
Barry i'm 10 testify. ] had nothing 10 do
with II. / did not know anything about
IL until / read II In the paper and GER
tainly the story in tho other paper did
not come from me. / had no part in that
at ALL"
Mr.. Cristy--I would like to know II that
is absolutely the first reference In the
press?
Chief Matthews-To the best OF my
knowledge that Ia the first piece that ap-
peared In any way In connection with this
case. There might have been something
! know there was some talk about the
mayor being interested, but that l don't
know about. This piece is responsible for
all the trouble here today.
THAT Is Monday?"
THAT is April 9th. II is a piece simply
stating that the place is being inspected
by the police and the mayor About tho
arrangements for the inspection OF these
pictures testified about. l received some
complaint.
II was getting little petty complaints
from these places and finally | got a COM
plaint that had come-f don't know
whether IL was from the school depart
ment-about some postal cards that
children had taken from the vaudeville
place They had been taken into the
schools and some alteration made that
was not proper. The result was sent the
captain over there to take anything In
the place that was in any way shady and
should not be there.
II called his attention 20 there cards
and TO tell Mr.. Nash that wanted TO
see him. The captain brought I'm some
cards in addition TO the cards included
In the AFFIDAVIT. Mr.. Nash came I'm and
sat IN the office occupied by the girl I
was provoked with him. knowing the
matter had got into the schools
1T looked like a serious thing and
told him would have no more complaints
about him. that 7 would not bother with
him anyway; II | got one more complaint
/ would see II could not have his license
revoked. He talked very nice then. He
wanted n nice place and did not cater for
children and so on. and he asked mo n
would not Inspect the pictures. I said
no
Then he wanted 10 know N would
not have somebody inspect them ] told
him I thought he knew what proper pic
fures were and what were proper pictures
FOR children to see. and hoped he would
run Il right. He kept on talking and
inally said: 4 will tell you what will
10. Mr. Nash. Any pictures the Rev. Mr..
,risty will approve OF will allow
Ills reply was. oh, hell. he's a clergy
nan said. That is all right: he Is n
'road-minded man. and you will find him |
good man TO do business with said |
'verything complimentary To Mr. Cristy. |
hot .I.
n this place Mr. Gee has testified 60 lie l
'aid Mr.. Nash had been over and wanted |
% make an arrangement with him, and