New-York tribune., 1909-03-04
JEROME WAKES WR0TH
TAKES BINGHAM TO TASK
Charges "Wdfm Mendacity in Nc
Caferty'S Explanation.


Correspondence given out last night at the Dis
trct Attorneys Office indicates that the breach be
tween Mr.. Jerome and Inspector McCafferty, and
incidentally. between the District Attorney and
Police Commissioner Bingham has not been
patched UP. Replying to Commissioner Bingham
who sent the records in the Jerome McCafterty
matter to Mr.. Jerome, the latter says that Nc
Caffertys explanation to his chief is unsatisfactory
The whole affair grew out of McCaffertys cr1ti-
csm of Jerome for the conviction of Paul Kelly the
elevated railroad motorman who was found crinll-
nay responsible for accident caEsing loss OF lie.
McCafferty told legislative committee that heson-
sdered that Kelly had been made "a scapegoat and
that his conviction miscarriage of justice
Mr.. Jerome General Bingham and the latter
obtained a statement from McCaferty, whlch the
Commissioner forwarded to Mr.. Jerome with let
ter. Mr.. Jerome said that the Commissioners let
ter so studiously omits a statement OF the resi
complaint made to you that its wilful mendacity
would entite it to be disresarded were the COM
muncation made in your personal character.
Commissioner Bingham called Inspector McCaf-
ferry TO his Office on TUESDAY The inspector then
said. among other things. according TO a steno-
graphic report:
on Thursday, February o. 1903 my attention vas
called to an ir+eryiew printed in the evening papers.
in which the District Attorney. William 1raNels
limited inteiiigence' that had leave things
alone that did not know any ihlng aoout bfIe us %
referred II a statement that l hed MADE peIoIe d
committee Of the Senate at Atbany; & IatbeT ng'G h
in another department
II was necessary for me to take the nIe mnfteT up up
With subordinates therefore atteT roiIGTn bd On
Psta peerreG o IN the e m5tteT which knew
In the minds OF all OF them There Were no no obs b
Tween The men Of tie bureau and my self Without
mentioning any names spoke Suos'a'''"''
said that had been alluded to in the h .i}nG pn9.Gf
fnteIIigence but What puzzled me that man
of such well kno*n lack Of ntelhgence ds Iaclt Of
intelligence in another: my nteIigenGe nqS fhe
highban Emporium must have worked overtime
In addition 10 that s4la certain gna man in the
Criminal Courts Building was IN the habit % % o gu oc
ing and swearing at the detec'i IS af vo1 men
to keep up your dignity and il A4d tnat any s al
make complaint against you if / can mo nnq %f ne
to do SO wish 10 say 'Rat o1 aid not mention
was not the District Attorney Of New 1ork 1ouImai 1omai
before the grand Jury of New York County. ,lneI5
was questioned about certain ni,tee in an
sne TO- auesi2Rs @ p Iso 20 onestioned concerning my
metbods Of Investigating the murder Of Sergeant
John B Goldhammer The questions & pn' in 10 snrb r =
ey me ee to lead me- to believe that my official con-
duct did not meet with his appreciation.
The next day the account SAYS. McCaferty asaln
took notice Of newspaper reports. and spoke 10 ms
men about them. The report Of what ne tolo 'hS
Commissioner, ne said. then continues:
I did not intend to say anything and believe
that did not say anHthne' thal nouq ,si'H i,I N
preVg,is m Sttornav of New York County in the
fullest extent P9ssST t tRst R @ oc have always
done and always shall do an thst G9n TO cd Goi
mutual heipfuness If >.i5on arises it viii not be
my fault
Then follows a letter 10 Mr.. Jerome from Com
missioner Bingham in which he said that ne had
presented Mr. Jeromes complaint to inspector NC
Caferty.
To this letter Mr.. Jerome replied as follows.
Your letter. while quite fun OF detail 50 sludious-
IN rr-l
You Gi5s that its %ifui mendscity would entite to he
dsregarded were the commune @ non Gnmseiepe enc
oSqP of Police, Rct s'lia' ''-'.'
personal capacity, out always as oefUeen the DIS Dis
irict Attorney m 6 Sf ae do o55 n5 ee a. liberty to dis
regard your letter and TilI again M state vas
20 You v.rs told that InspActor McCaferty- had
pubIiclv stated tha, in the case Of the People sst
Paul Kelly an innocent ma4 4sa d been been 2ane
before the grand jury to ascertain IL he had any
hst upo9 such examination he had admitted that
he had no facts upon which 10 9ase sue Such , s,a'e
cent eT' man wTongiv convicted he had with three
hundred or more detectives under his command.
done nothing at any time to ascertain "hether or
That Such statement made publicly by the chief
ct detectITes af1er 4{1 11 a3fer csTef t1si
:on.Gtion 2y pe'I iJorsi 5g: can5e1ce In the aS
spector Mccaferty &c a or any abusive remarks in
made we're q matter n indifference 70 me. but
+,aT when such remarks made officially. be
fore +he whole detective force Of the county. and
rsra Intended to ennbarrass in the discharge
of my official duties and had such tendency. I
could not overlook II but as matter OF official
duty was compelled 70 call II 70 your attention.
You will thus that the complaint TO YOU VAS
not that McCafferty had used abusive language
towsrd William Travers Jerome. matter Of no
irnnortapce but that Inspector of police, com
roandfns The detective force IN the County Of New
YORK o37cially- before several hundred Of his men
i~reieysntlX used abusive language about the Dis
trict kttornev Of the county calculated 10 impede
the administration Of the criminal law in this
county.