New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-26
WHEN POLICE FALL OUT
MAY BETTER SERVICE.
No Dove HoUeing Deer Station,
bingham Learns at Trial.

Police Commissioner Bingham had a chance yes
terday afternoon to observe how little love may
be lost between members Of the force attached TO
the same station. This chance presented at
the trial of two patromcn of Inspector Dion's
staff. against whom charges OF INSTRUMENTATION and
refusing to prevent violation of the excise law
when ordered to do by their superior were pre-
ferred by Lieutenant Solomon {. Hauptman, of
the West 6sth street station.
Commissioner Bingham himself presided at the
trial. in which he had been Interested by the
ports that one of the accused patromen James J.
DeVanney, was being laid for by persons who
thought that he was overzealous in his pursuit OF
lnwbreakcrs and by the unauthorized use Of
Deputy Commissioner Hansons name IN connec-
ton with the District Attorney Jerome is
also interested In the alleged attempts 10 break
officer and represented at the trial by his
assistant Mr.. Ely.
Hauptman. who is also up on charges preferred
by Devannev and the other accused patroIman,
John J. Cahlll who assert that he used vile cpl
thets in addressing them, and that he acted IN a
manner unbecoming an officer. conducted his own
case with no mean skill. Charles T. lie Barber
represents the two patro!men, but was any as
sisted By Devanney. Both he and CahiN showed
very plainly in their manner that they had no use
for Mr.. Hauptman. who also careful TO show
that none Of his affection was wasted IN their d.
rection. That sweet concord is not so thick IN the
West 18th street station as 10 ne CUT up HHto
chunks disclosed by Lieutenant Hauptman =
assertion that Captain Halpin and Devanney got
their heads together and framed up charges against
himself. AS to HaUptman and Devanney, their ami
mostly toward each other has come To the point
where they do not speak as they pass by in the
Devanneys friends say he has been bounded a
long time by people who want 10 get him on the
force. but he showed clearly enough yesterday that
he doesn't propose be got If ne can avoid IL
Both he and Cahiu told identical stories OF their
encounter with their superior in West 62d street
on the morning OF July IL These fatty contradicted
that OF Hauptman. who said they had no prisoner
with them the time and bluntly refused 10 obey
his orders TO close up a saloon which was violating
tho excise law By keeping open after the legal
hour for closing. Their prisoner, Mrs. Victoria
Dempsey. a negro woman, also witness, as
Samuel Singleton. During Singleton testl-
1nony It was disclosed that. besides running a
grocery a No. "a West SD street. he also has
had time during tho last two years 10 he carried
the citys payroll cleaner IN tho PARK De-
partment.
The Commissioner declined 10 admit the afftda-
VT Of a reporter, who says bribe was offered 70
him contradict the testimony OF witness for the
two patromen His evidence Will have 20 be sub
Initted in direct examination when the trial or the
officers is resumed tomorrow afternoon.
Whether Hauptmau's veracity or that OF the two
patrolrneu will be discredlted when the trial 10
ended. from the disclosures at yesterdays ses-
sion II Is considered about up to the Commissioners
TO make a few transfers from the West 6oth street
station FOR tho good OF the service. Lieutenant
Hauptran tntTnated plainly enough that on TWO
occasions Devanney consulted with Captain Halpin
before retalatng. and Cahill sworf that the lieu
tenant offered withdraw the charges against him
II he would promise not 10 appear as witness Tor
Devanuey. The grudge Hauptmau and pevan ~
bear toward each other is OF some months
standing.