The Washington times., 1907-03-18
SYL VESTER SAYS
No LETTER WAS
GIVEN TO MOCK
JudSon Harmon'S Former
Secretary Involved in
Scandal.
Former Washingtonlan IS
Dismissed by
Bingham.

Friends in this city of James L. Mock
former private secretary TO JudsOn y.
Harmon. Attorney General in President
Cleveland's Cabinet. are displaying
considerable interest in the Juror he has
created in New York police circles
where, ii Is alleged. he obtained loans
from members OF the force amounting
10 almost $500. Mock was executive
clerk TO General Bingham until last
week. when he resigned at the gener-
ais request.
The published report that Mock was
highly recommended 10 General Bing-
ham by Major Richard Sylvester is in
correct. Major Sylvester says he never
heard Of the young man until a few
months ago. when he called at police
headquarters in this city with u New
York detective sergeant. and obtained
sample blanks OF al the forms used by
the Washington department
These blanks. he said, we're 20 be used
as models by the New York depart
ment. Previous % this visit, Major
Sylvester says he had never mex Mock,
or had any dealings with him.
COPIES of all letters OF recommended
ton are kept on file in this Office" said
the major this morning. We have been
through all the files, and find no letters
recommending Mock. or in amy way re
1erring TO him"
Not long after General Bingham took
nolur IN January, 1906. Mock presented
himself as an applicant for a place in
the clerical force He had been office
chief 10 William ID. Guthrie. a promi-
nent New York lawyer. had excellent
references, and the commissioner put
him 10 work.
Unusual Clerical Ability.
He had been at Headquarters only q
short time when he displayed his IN
usual clerical ability.
Mock was told by General Bingham
that ais duties would not bring him in
10 contact with the uniform members
OF the department, and that it was de-
sired that he steer clear Of them.
This news percOlated through every
stratum in the complex secret orgaui-
cation Of the department in a fashion
tnst the commissioner has come 10 know
well. In some way that Mock might
not De able TO explain, IL got about that
ne and General Bingham We're very
close indeed. that they had known each
other well in Washington, when the gen
er2l was detailed at the White HCusa
arG in sEI't, that TO gain the commits
sioner's ear IL would be well 20 have
the support Of the executive clerk.
After sixty days of surveillance 81
was learned, IL Is said, that Mock had
obtained loans from members of the
force amounting to $500 and perhaps
considerable more Several captains
and inspectors have admitted, il is said.
that Mock Is in their debt
Talk of Albany Brides.
In an effort TO learn whether these
loans" could have any bearing on the
immense fund which II is known has
been collected from gamblers and dive
keepers TO defeat the bills now pending
IN Albany. District Attorney Jerome
yesterday held an interview with In
spector Hussey. II was from his dis
trict that much OF the Doodle" is said
10 come
II is thought there may be a con-
ncctiOn between the DEVELOPMENTS at
headquarters, in which Mock figures.
and the money that was forced from
TenderlOin characters. who were told
Il is alleged. that there was a man
down town 10 be seen" This caused
Hussey's examination to be divided into
two parts. first whether Mock's alleged
loans had anything TO do with such
n fund. and. second. concerning the fund
itself. The inspector denied all per
sonal knowledge of either Mock or the
fund.