The Washington herald., 1907-01-17
GIVE EGRAFTEYIDENCE
New York Aldermen In
bosom to Grand Jury.
TWO SAID TO HAVE CONFESSED
Clifford Released on $4,000 Bail.
Councilman Kuntze Clashes with
Detectives in Attempting to Leave
witness ROOm-POIiticnl Leaders
SummOned-JerOme Takes Hand.

New York, Jan. 16-There was a per-
sstent report current about the Criminal
Courts Building this afternoon that two
of the five aldermen summoned before
the grand jury in the aldermanic Doodle
matter have given sensational informa-
| ton
The grand jury sat until late consider
ing the charge that the municipal own
ership aldermen were TO he sold out by
Clifford. It is said that the testimony
given tends to substantiate the claim
that Clifford could deliver some votes
for 500 apiece
In view of the alleged confessions, it
/ is expected that more arrests will be
made soon.
Locks Up Ten Aldermen witnesses.
/ Five of the subpoenaed aldermen were
examined by the grand jury this after
noon. Later they We're taken to Assist
ant District Attorney Perkins office and
/ there detained, for what purpose could
not be learned. Alderman Cornelius D.
/ Noonan was in consultation with Mr.
! Smythe for more than an hour and a
/ half during the afternoon.
/ Following an encounter in the Criminal
4 Courts building this afternoon between
/ Alderman Charles Kuntze and County
/ Detective Brennan, the ten aldermen sub
/ poenaed TO appear before the grand jury
in connection with the alleged attempt
TO buy votes We're virtually made pris-
| oners in an anteroom adjoining the
grand jury chamber pending their ex-
animation
This action was preceded by drastic
measures on the part Of the detectives in
dealing with Kuntze when he endeavored
TO leave the room. the alderman being
carried bodily back into the room to wait
until ne was called.
Clifford Gives $4,000 Bond.
William S. Clifford. a Long Island City
alderman, who was arrested on a charge
of accepting 5000 TO influence his col
Leagues to vote as directed, was arraigned
in the West Side Police Court this after
noon and held in $4,000 bail for further
examination January % Later he was
released on ball. furnished by Samuel
John. owner Of the Occidental Hotel. and
John J. White. a sporting man.
In court Clifford had nothing to say.
AT the Criminal Courts building all the
aldermen subpoenaed by District Attorney
jerome were in the ante-room awaiting
examination, when the encounter occurred
between Kuntze and the detectives. The
trouble arose when Kuntze attempted to
leave the room. and was halted at the
door by Brennan.
Alderman Kuntze Tries TO Leave.
Hold on there; where are you going?''
asked the detective.
I'm going out. WHAT'S the matter?"
inquired Kuntze
You can't do it; youu have to come
back"
wei, I won't go back; I'm not under
arrest, and I can so wherever I have a
mird "a"
Brennan did not stop to argue the point
, any longer, but, laying his hand on the
aIdermans shoulder. pulled him back into
the room Kuntze resisted and fought 20
force his way into the corridor. Several
other detectives came 70 Brennans as
sistance, and the belligerent city official
was quickly overpowered.
Then the door was slammed shut and
locked. making those in the antechamber
virtually prisoners.
Alderman James G. Meyers. Republican
candidate for recorder, was sabpoeuaed
, by the district attorney. and testified
l. before the grand jury. Before going into
E the juryrOOm he said There have. been
t persistent rumors anoat that my friends
had been approached by Clifford II that
is so. none Of them has spoken to me
. about the matter
jerome Takes Charge of Case,
4 Alderman c. b. Noonan appeared in the
i, anteroom Of the grand jury room and
o joined his waiting c0nfeTees. Through
: his counsel the alderman said he had
- not been subpoenaed but that he haC
come to the criminal court to see if h,
was wanted. He denied that he had any
: knowledge of any wrongdoing.
% Subpoenas were also issued for Chair
f man De Braggia Of the Kings County Re
n publican committee; Collin H. Woodward
3 a former alderman and now deputy super
intendent Of elections. and Herbert Par
: sons. chairman of the Republican count,
+ committee All these papers were serve,
- except that for Parsons, who is now il
f Washington.
n District Attorney jerome arrived thi.
F. morning from Albany and took charge o.
. the case. and will conduct Il personally
The questions which will be asked IN,
aldermen and other witnesses are:
Why did you vote for COwing?"
What was the inducement?"
Il Who suggested his name?"
District Attorney Jerome said to-day tn,
reason ex-Judge Cowing was selected as
candidate whose name should be used il
the case, was that he was so pre-emi
I nently beyond the suggestion of approach
that he would not in any way be in1ure,
by the prominence into which it bring,
5 him.