New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-26
HUNT FOR POLICE FUND.
BINGHAM ON Il Raid.
With Jerome, Opens Safe of Patrol
mems association.

a rumored corruption fund said TO be more
than $l25,OOO and to have been raised by i'm
posing a tax of $40 a patroman, with which
it was planned to control legislation affecting
the Police Department.
After much difficulty safe in the headquar-
ters. in Maennerchor Hail. 56th street and Third
avenue, opened A book was found when
showed that the patromen had raised what they
termed mortuary fund, toward which nearly
1000 patrolmen had contributed 800 each.
The search conducted by the officials followed
conferences in the District Attorneys office
which occupied the best part of the afternoon
and evening. At these conferences President
Mclaughlin of the patrolmens organization
and Peter McEntee one of the six secretaries
of the association, We're examined. That led TO
the desire 10 see the books.
In automobile the party went 70 Maenner-
chor Hall When they got there Mclaughlin
said he had forgotten the combination to his
safe. IN Commissioner Bingham's automobile
he taken to his home in 135th street. When
he returned to the hall he had the combination
and he opened the safe. Meantime McEntee
had been opening lockers and exhibiting such
records as We're not under lock and key.
They found evidence that within the last three
months the association has raised a special
fund of more than 100000. This Is designated
in the books of the association as special
mortuary fund"
Reports from q majority of the precincts OF
the city showed that the assessments for each
precinct had been received in cash, and for
the precincts whose patrolmen had not sent the
money. the reports said they were 20. X" and
would pay the money The individual assess
ment was SEQ
After going through the books and papers of
the association and making an incomplete ex-
animation. Police Commissioner Bingham
speaking TO Mclaughlin and McEntee, said:
Il am very glad 70 say that from the exami-
nation of the books and papers we have found
the funds of the Benevolent Association seems
TO indicate that. as far as l tell everything
IS all right I am glad 10 say that now hope
further indications will show this more fully
Despite the Commissioners statement. District
Attorney Jerome took the books and papers,
which had been partly examined 70 his ofHce
for a further examination. II was learned. in
the cursory examination made. that az least
$50 oO0 in cash was already I'm the 'mortuary
fund" and in a safe deposit vault In the office
OF The Lincoln safe Deposit Company. It ap-
years 70 be there in McLaughlin's charge. and
Is not drawing istt~es,. II would Il deposited
in IA bank
the District Attorneys Office yesterday after
General Bingham had told Mr. Jerome what no
wanted. They were closely examined 20 the
reported fund to corrupt the Albany Legislators.
Both made statements the exact nature OF
which was not made public. hut they not
altogether satisfactory 10 their examiners. They
suffered frequently from poor memory. and said
they could refresh their memories by referring
TO the books and papers OF the association.
-. IL
ers party in his automobile. went up TO Man.
nerchor Hall They found Mclaughlin and Nc
Entee already there. The Commissioner asked
TO see the associations books, Mclaughlin said
he had forgotten the combination to the safe in
which the books were locked. General Bingham
told his chauffeur TO drive Mclaughlin quickly
10 his home. while his return was awaited
Commissioner Bingham asked McEntee TO show
him what papers outside the safe. McEn
tee did so. Most striking of all was collection
Of reports from nearly every precinct I'm the
city showing that the assessed amounts had
been paid the special fund. These reports were
made by delegates. three from each precinct,
one for each OF the three platoons. These lists
were variousy designated at the top follows
Special Mortuary Fund" Funeral Subscription
List" Death Benefit Fund and Special List OF
Special Assessments"
Particularly interesting was one such report
found by Mr.. Jerome, dated March IL, ana
signed by Martin Cahi a delegate from the
Elizabeth street station where he was assigned
at that time although he had since been trans
ferred 10 the Corporation CounseIs Office At
the top Of this list was this note
This man, George Willett, who refuses and.
am told has failed 10 make good for the salary
bill. the defeat Of the reorganization bill or any
of the extra assessments that have been col
lected from time 10 time to enable your COM
mttee 10 secure better conditions In spite OF
this he is always taken Of by the superior
officers Of the precinct. He pleads poverty but
] am told he has between $4,000 and $4,000 IN
bank.
McEntee was asked by Mr.. Jerome what was
the meaning OF this note. He said he didn't
understand II at all.
What does reorganization bilr mean?" asked
Mr.. Jerome.
Il don't know said the secretary
Cant you think what it might mean?" asked
the District Attorney
Il can't imagine" replied McEntee.
Mr.. Jerome examined McEntee a hundred
times this line, but got little from him.
1t came out that reports of the collections OF
the required assessments had been received from
every precinct in Manhattan and The Bronx, ex-
cept the SSth and 29th. and nearly every one in
Brooklyn
From the minutes of the meetings Of the
sociation 1t appeared that November 3D.
1906. at a special meeting. 1t was decided to in
crease the "mortuary fund" Of the organization,
so the resolution ran that the death benefit Of
1925 at that time provided for could be in
creased to $1,000 The old system required an
assessment of % or 80 cents monthly. the
occasion required. The new system provided
| for an immemdiate assessment Of $50 man,
The delegates three TO each precinct were re-
| quired TO collect the money The resolution