The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-05-29
SMITH DECLARES
:. CRAFT CHARGES
ARE FALSE
SAYS HE DIDN'T PROMISE RE-
SORT KEEPER PROTECTION
AND THAT ONLY VISIT TO HER
PLACE WAS AN OFFICIAL ONE.

FRANK tlDDler ana nlmsell. his StOry
on direct examination by Mr.. Murtir
was an emphatic and sweeping denia
OF all the charges made by Annie
Smith, the Delray resort keeper
who swore that the commits
sioner assured her, after she claims
TO have paid Hibbler $500 to put hel
rival. Jolian 10th out OF business, thai
she would have protection as long at
he was in office.
After a few preliminary questions
OF a personal nature he was asked:
do you know Annie SMITH"
Il do"
when did you first meet herr"
ION the night OF April IA last
when went to her place with Health
Officer Kiefer."
Were you ever there before oil
since?"
mo, SIR"
The commissioner then told OF the
visit in detail. They first went into
the barroom, he said, and he sent the
bartender TO notify Mrs. Smith tina,
they were there and wanted to look
through her place in their Official ca
pacities.
did she come in?"
Eyes"
And you introduced yourself?"
81 did"
What was said?"
81 asked her II she were the pro.
prietor and she said she was. l said
i am the police commissioner and
turning TO DR.. Kiefer. said, 4 suppose
you know the health officer She said
she did"
Went Through Place.
The commissioner told of the trip
through the place and Of finding the
gate between the saloon and resort
locked. He had ordered 1t nailed UP
and reminded the woman OF this order
She promised to have II nailed.
Did you talk with any of the girls
there or stop and admire the dress
worn by one of them?"
Il did not"
did you ever promise her protec-
tion?"
Il never did"
did you ever authorize Frank Hibb.
Ter to collect any money from Annie
SMITH"
NO, sir"
did he tell you that he ever &C.
cepted money from Annie Smith?
He did not"
Punch Bowl Again.
did Hibbler' ever give you O
punch bowl?"
He did"
"When?"
About week before Christmas.
He told OF the welivery of the bowl
by Hibbler substantially as related
by Hibbler OF It's unpacAIng. and OF
his asking: lib where did this
come FROM" Hibbler told him, he
said, that the bowl was from some
friends down town" fl
Did you ask him for list OF
those friends?"
Il did"
did he say he would furnish a
list?"
He did"
Ibid he?"
mo"
did you conspire with Frank Hib'
bier and Capt. Newberry 10 put 10
Ian 10th out OF business to protect
Annie SMITH"
81 did not"
The commissioner corroborated
Judge Whelan's testimony as to the
trip to New York, on which he relies
TO prove an abb.
did you ever tell Annie Smith q
man named Cox could make $500 II
,Jolian Smith were permitted to open
place on Solvny-ave?"
az did not"
Ibid Mr.. Cox make such state
ment TO you?"
HE did not"
ITO how many persons have you
given permission to run disorderly
houses"
None"
Conversation with JouIan 10th.
The commissioner testified to hav
ing a conversation with Jolian 10th
and her attorney, Mr.. Collier, In
which the 10th woman sought per
mission to run a disorderiy house on
Solvay-ave.
II told them could not give per
mission; that the department had
never given permission TO run such
places. I said that such places were
simply tolerated, not permitted"
DtQ you tNCi SANC OioSio NhaN ~
liam 10th be put out OF business tina,
Annie Smith might have a monopoly
Il did not"
did you ever tell Annie Smith
that Frank Hibbler was your best
friend and that anything he said
would go?"
81 did not"
Murfn took up one by one the
charges made ~ the prosecution
against the commissioner and the
commissioner entered a positive de
NAL 10 each OF them.
He said that he had investigated
Annie Smiths resort and found that
the business element In Delray ex
pressed the opinion that house Of
the character OF Annie Smiths was
a benefit rather than a detriment In
that particular section.
And was that the reason your
officers began 10 regulate Annie
Smiths place"
Wornsok Friendly with >Annle.
The commissioner told OF Sergt
John woznacks discharge from the
force because he was TOO friendly
with Annie Smith, as the commission
er charged. He corroborated Capt
Newberry's story as TO the closing OF
Jolian Toth's place. saying that the
captains reasons were fully stated