New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-11-02
CONSPIRACY
IN JUDICIARY MESS
Information Tells Of Meeting in
Waldorf Between WiIlett and
Brooklyn Bosses.
INQUIRY BEGINS TO-DAY
Forma, Accusation for Procuring
Nomination Is Made Against
McCooey, Cassidy, Walter
and the Candidate.


the counties Of Kings and Queens
reached a definite and foreboding aspect
Yesterday when formal charges OF con-
spiracy for procuring the nomination OF
William Willett jr.. for the Supreme
Court bench on the Democratic ticket In
Queens were incorporated in an infor-
nation and filed with Justice Townsend
Scudder, Of the Supreme Court In Queens
County.
The information alleges that sum OF
money was paid by Willett for his nomi-
nation and names the following men as
the alleged conspirators:
William WiIIett, ir, Democratic can
didate for justice Of the Supreme Court.
John H. MeCooey, Democratic leader
Of Kings County.
Joseph Cassidy, Democratic loader OF
Queens County.
Louis T. Walter, ir, Q real estate
dealer at Far Rockaway and a Cassidy
lieutenant.
An investigation OF the charges to de-
termine whether a crime has been COM
mitted will begin this morning before
Justice Scudder, sitting as a committing
magistrate. at Long Island City. Sub
pdsnas for a score or more OF witnesses
were issued last night. Assistant Dis
trict Attorney De Ford, of District At
torney Whitmans staff, will assist Pros
ecutor Frederick c. De Witt in conducts
ing the investigation.
Mr. De Ford formulated the informa- :
ton yesterday. based on the testimony
and affidavits Of several bank officials
and other witnesses whom he examined
in the election fraud bureau of the Dis
trict Attorneys Office here yesterday and
Tuesday. He and Prosecutor De Witt
met Justice Scudder by appointment late
yesterday afternoon in the county court
house, in Brooklyn. where Justice Scud-
der formally signed the information.
What the information States.
The information describes Cassidy and
McCooey as the Democratic leaders in
their respective counties, with the power
and influence sufficient to secure the
| votes OF the delegates In their judiciary
conventions for the candidates they saw
| fit to nominate. 1t is asserted that the
two leaders did exercise such power at
the judiciary conventions. Louis T.
Walter, jr., was delegate to the Queens
Judiciary Convention on October 8. acted
az secretary OF the convention and placed
William Willett. jr., in nomination, the
information states. Surrogate Herbert
Ketcham. of Brooklyn. and Patrick f..
Callahan were nominated on the Kings
County ticket on that date.
The information continues:
That on or about September 80. 1911. Will
lam Willett presented to the National Bank
OF Far Eockaway two promissory notes
which he asked the bank to discount Ihat
one OF the notes was that of Marie II WI
lett for the sum OF $500. which was IN
dorsed by Willett personally. That the
other note was that OF Marinus Nillett.
for the sum OF 81 800 which was slmllary
indorsed. That the bank dlsc0untiea nir,a, ,,1Y thy
yl0 coo. 10 Willetts credit. and that on tho
same day ne checked out all OF II.
The information further alleges:
That about 1880 a. m. on October :,
Ig1 William Willett borrowed OF the BANK
~ Long Island at Jamaica, the sum of
SO 600 which was then and there PAID TO
him In currency.
on the same day. October G. the day OF
the Queens judiciary convention. the IN
formation states, Joseph Cassidy, Louis
r Walter jr, william Wlllett. Luke
keenan,. n Democratic ally of Cassidy;
Morris O'Connell and other persons not
mentioned assembled together In the
cafe or dining room Of the Waldorf-As-
toria.
Waldorf Luncheon Significant.
While Mr. De Ford does not state what
happened at this luncheon, it Is UNDER
stood that the gathering was peculiarly
significant in connection with District
Attorney Whitman's recent statement
that he had evidence Of a criminal act
ba wing been committed in this county In
lconnection with the Democratic judiciary
scandal.
The history OF the scandal, from its be-
ginning with the publication OF an edi-
torial in The Brooklyn Standard Union
on October IS, entitled "Tammanys
Tainted Touch on judiciary Ticket
tho fling Of an action for criminal libel
against william Berri. president OF tne
CORPORATION which publishes The Stano-
ord Union" and. the subsequent WIN
drawal of that action by the three Judi-
ciarv candidates, Willett. ketcham ana
Callahan. is all set forth in detail In the
| information.
The afidavits attached to the papers,
which were not made public record
wero mado by William Berri. Meier
stsipbrink. Mr.. Berris counsel; James l."
STANLEY and Ellis Weston. Long Island
hank officials: Richa/dson webster.
ranorter on "The Brooklyn citizen
william d. Llewellyn. a director OF tne
Rank OF Long Island, at jamaica VIII
lam J. Hylan! a Bronx real estate deaier
and former business associate of Leader
Cassidy. and Samuel r. Smith, pres'oeh.
~ tho Jamaica branch Of the Bank Oh
Long Island
| In requesting an investigation peiore
Tho court MIR. De Ford alleges violations
., Sections $50 and 775 oE the Peha
code. tho first dealing with conspiracy >"
General and the latter relating To con-
sniracy to promote or prevent an e'ee-
| tion A term of two years in prison. or
| fine of not more than $4,000 or oo'h'
~ provided by Section 775. which dennes
the corrupt use of position or authority.
rha whole inforpiation covers ior'y
| typewritten pages.
prosecutor De Witt said last night ,l'a'
| ~ ,os.ndants named In the informattcn