The Washington herald., 1911-10-21
SCHNEIDER DENIES
COERCION CHARGE
Told KaIbfus He Would
Evade Controversy.
HoRSTMANN WAS NOT FEARED
Can't. John Daley and His Colleague
Testify Former Saloon Inspector
Did Not influence Latter to Make
False Report in Harper Case.
Clerk Williams Escapes Probe.

Denying fatty that he had told Sam
uel 7. Kalbfus, member of the board
of assistant assessors, that they were
trying to make a case out against some
one" in connection with the question
of granting a liquor license to George
T. Harper. Of 3ol5 VI street northwest
as Kalbfus testified on Thursday, Capt
Henry Schneider, Of the Seventh pre-
cinct, was on the witness stand yester-
day at the hearing being conducted by
the Commissioners to investigate the
chars preferred by F. Oden Horst
mann, former District saloon inspector,
against kalbfus.
Thursday KaIbfUs stated that Capt.
Schneider had changed his report in re-
gard to granting the Harper license, be-
cause some person of influence had
coerced him Assistant Corporation COun-
sci White brought mp the question of the
allegation of Kalbfus as soon as Capt
Schneider took the stand yesterday.
Asked About Harper.
7 positively don't recall any CONVEX
sation with Kalbus in which I said that
they were trying to make out case
against some onc,' said Capt. Schneider
in answer to a question OF Mr.. White
"Kalbfus stopped mo on the street once
about that time and asked me some
questions about Harper. l said that
the matter was in the hands of the eX-
else board and that didn't care to
talk al, ,ut it. He asked me about Har
per AM attempted to draw me out. l
said: I won't bc drawn INTO any con-
troverSy about him. Good day
capt Schneider said he first heard that
Harper was a fugitive from justice in
Virginia while attending regular
Wednesday morning meeting of the cap
tains Of the Na-'"Ls police precincts in
The office of Mai. Sylvester. Schneider
SAD that Maj Sylvester Informed him
that Harper WIS gu ~ of selling liII"r
un!awfUllE. and ordered him to Elai;" 4
further investigation of the case. The
captain testified that he subsequently
went to Virginia. saw the records of five
indictments against Harper. and then
went to Harpcr's Georgetown home.
capt. Schneider said that he told Har-
per that he would have to report ad-
ycrseIy in the case, and that Harper
pointed to Mike Lawlcr. the bartender,
and said. '"Therc's the man who got me
into this trouble" The police officer
stated that Harper begged him not to
"eturn an unfavOrable report but that
he replied hat it was a plain duty which
had to be performed.
Horstmnnn Not Feared.
Both Capt Schneider and Capt. John
Daley. of the Ninth precinct, testified
that there was absolutely no truth in the
allegation of EalbfuS to the effect that
Horstmann was feared by the police as
a representative OF the White House, and
that the former saloon inspector had
coerced Schneider 10 make a false report
in the Harper case.
William 2. Richards, District assessor,
was placed on the stand. He testified
that he had known Kalbfus for eighteen
years. and that he had heard nothing OF
his integrity being questioned until the
appearance of HOrstmann. Mr.. Richards
said. on the other hand, that HOrstmann
mas constantly questioning the actions of
the excise board and the right of the
board to take such action
Mr.. Richards said that he and not
Horstmann was the ore who started the
investigation Of the Harper case. He
testified that he asked HOrStmann to
make an Investigation Of the case, and
that the latter after communicating with
the Virginia authorities over the tele-
phone reported that he had found moth
ing against the man. Richards said he
told HOrtsmann to investigate the mat
ter further. and that the latter. after
having an interview with Crandal
MaCkey. Commonwealth attorney for
county. Va. returned with
some notes stating Harper's troubles
with the liquor laws. The witness said
that the notes did not contain all the
points that Mackey had produced.
summoned by Richards.
After I read these notes" testified
Mr.. Richards. 4 called Harper to the
District Building. Previous to that time
he had no counsel but this time Keane
came with him. But Keane said moth |
ing at this appearance I told Harper!
what I had found ont about him in Vfr- |
giria. Then he explained to me exactly |
how it happened, and wnat he said did |
not vary bit with the records of what
has transpired since"
During the hearing Kalbfus was asked |
by MI White if he had produced every
thing possible in regard to real estate !
transactions since he has been on the
excise board
i have ransaCked my house and nv
desk" replied EaIbfus. "and have !
brought every scrap of paper that has
any bearing on the case"
Have YOU ANY check stubs?" asked !
Mr.. White.
NO; I have no check stubs. lost
most Of my checks last summer while on
farm. They blew out of the farmhouse
window"
in answer to question of Commits
!oner JuGs"n as to how much he was
worth, Kalbfus answered that he had
invested $4,000 in property, which he
lnped would some day ne worth $50 900.
lie said that he owed 5000
Clerk Escapes Probe.
Upon the suggestion of Commissioner
Johnston, it was decided to leave Roger
Williams. clerk to the excise board,
Who is alleged to have borrowed 800
rom Peter Drury. out of the investiga-
ion Mr.. Williams was brought into the
tearing upon the recommendation of
ir. White. Mr.. Williams had taken the
tand preparatory to testifying Yesterday
When the Commissioners decided to drop
lis name from the case.
The hearing will be continued at II
clock Tuesday morning in the board
DOM at the District Building
Promises Never to Steal Again.
Throwing his arms about his father.
Norman KeeSP of 994 N Straat so,,.h |