New-York tribune., 1906-12-23
WENDELL CHARGES
Captain accused of ErtortiOn from
Employees of Armory.

Charges Of extortion and various forms Of petty
graft in connection with the management of the
1st Battery. National Guard. taken up yester-
day by the District Attorneys office. Assistant
District Attorneys Hart and Keogh spent most Of
the day in secret examination of witnesses, chief
" civilian employees of the battery. About noon
the prosecutors appeared before Magistrate Breen
in the Tombs Police Court and asked for thirteen
''subpoenas to investigate"
Against whom is this information laid?" asked
the Magistrate. when a two-page affidavit was
handed to him as the basis for the subpoenas.
Against one Louis Wendell. commander of the list
Battery" replied Mr.. Keogh.
little later. just Magistrate Breen was about
to adjourn court having already held 1t open past
the usual time in order TO issue the subpRnas
Abraham Levy came bustling in and asked the
magistrate If a warrant had been issued for Cap
tain Wendell. The magistrate said that If one had
been he couldn't answer the question, but that
one had not been issued he could reassure Mr
Levy that point Mr.. Levy then said that If
Captain Wendell were wanted at any time he would
be in attendance on five minutes notice
The charges which the District Attorneys Office
has under consideration are understood to have
come from various civilians who employed
around the battery's armory. in West 66th street.
All the witnesses examined yesterday save one
were employees Edward Martini. who formerly
was employed at the armory. made the affidavit on
which Magistrate Breen issued the thirteen sub
poenas for further investigation. Martini, 1t is
said has already begun civil suit against Captain
Wendell for the recovery Of 1856 alleged TO have been
paid him. In affidavit made by Martini he
cites that in June. 1903 he employed assist
ant engineer at the armory at 81 a day. He ac-
cepted the place the understanding that he
should give up 81 a day for the privilege of work
ing there. He swears that he did this until he had
paid about Sl0o. when he lost the place For part
of this time. the affidavit declares, he paid the
money TO third person. but sometimes directly to
Captain Wendell. against whom his suit is brought.
me Wltnesses examined Yesterday were John J.
Jansen first sergeant of the battery Grover Mayer
assistant engineer or the arInory; NllllaIn tucfs,
the ianitor: Emil Dangelman and Mark Bender.
laborers, and Martini. Most of these men have
made af1davits which are 20 he used in connection
with the suit Martini has begun. Some other en-
ployes at the arrnOry also have made affldavts
charging that they were compelled TO pay rent for
houses 10 keep their places.
Franz Groth. employed q hostler at 50 a day.
is alleged TO have sworn that out of his salary he
was compelled to pay rent for a house at Kings
showing the payment Of SEQ on account OF rent
bill OF s45 for the period from October Is to De
oember Groth says he is a bachelor and has
borne Smith. a real estate man. of Jerome avenue
and 162d street. To be agent for the property
said that he was promised Job at g day by
Charles Wendell, of the captain, If he would
pay 81 a day rent for a house Ahrens also a
the real estate man. and refused to pay for De-
Henry ". Unger. Of Levy & Unger. retained by
Captain Wendell. said Yesterday that there really
wasn't much TO say about the charges against his
there was responsible person behind them
Captain Wendell knows he is entirely innocent
ready and willing 70 come forward at any time and
explain anything that may be asked Of him He is
charges not taken seriously by him"
At Captain Wendel's office neither he nor his
SELF as friend Of captain Wenders Of long stand
ing proclaimed emphaticallv that all the 'rumpus'
the battery-men who want 10 get him out. so
they can have his place, YOU know" he explained