New-York tribune., 1912-03-06
NOW TO HEAR BRANDT
Grand Jury Spends Day ExamIn-
ing Clinton Prison Officials.
CHAPLAIN WROTE TO SCHIFF
Answer Put in Evidence-News
of Any Move in Wallets Be-
half Was Sought.

Folke L. Brandt the Schif valet. who
was released from Dannemora prison on
writ Of habeas corpus. will testify before
the grand jury to-day, according to yes
terday's plans, to throw what light he can
upon the question Of whether he was rail-
roaded to prison as the result of con-
spiracy Former Police Inspector William
w Mclaughlin, whose departmental or
ders brought before Judge Rosalsky rec
ord in the Brandt case which was in part
responsible for the thirty-year sentence
that Brandt received, probably will be the
only other witness TO be heard to-day
Cornelius V Collins. former State Super
intendent of Prisons the Rev. F. n. Pierce.
chaplain of Dannemora prison: Emerson
F. Davis. the Dannemora prison employe
who kept a diary to record his impressions
concerning Brandt. and John w Rogers.
the private detective who was hired by
the Schiff interests when Brandt was sent
away, were the witnesses yesterday. Mr..
Collins appeared 10 be uncertain as to the
reason for Brandts transfer from Sing
Sing TO Dannemora, but thought that II
was on the suggestion Of the prison medi-
cal staff. The former superintendent also
recalled that he had been in correspond
ence with either Howard S. Cans or Nor
timer J. Schiff concerning Brandt, but
could not remember which one. He said
that the point Of the correspondence, how
ever was that the Schiff interests were to
be kept posted of any move made by or in
behalf of Brandt. particularly such as
might tend to a pardon or commutation.
Chaplain Pierce before going into the
grand jury room gave out for publication
a statement. together with copies Of two
letters, one addressed by him to Jacob II.
Schiff ir" and one from Mortimer l..
Schiff TO him. His statement recited that
Brandt went to Clinton Prison on March 6,
1908 The prisoners seeming intelligence
and neatness, combined with his long SEN
tence enlisted his sympathy. the chaplain
said and he kept an eye on Brandts be-
havior.
Three years after. Mr.. Pierce continued.
a representative of the State Controller
spent about three months at the prison eX-
amining accounts This man saw Brandt
almost daily. became interested in him and
said he would like to get at the real facts
In the case TO see whether Brandt could
be aided in any way. At the request OF
son. of the Jewish Theological Seminary.
asking for the facts in Brandt's case, and
was referred 10 Mr.. Schiff. 1t on
April TO- 1911. then that Mr. Pierce wrote
to Jacob II. Schiff. jr," under the impress
sion that that was the name of the com
plainant against Brandt. His request was
simply for 1.-The facts regarding the offence
for which F. f. Brandt was convicted and
sentenced"
BY return mail he received a letter from
Mortimer L. Schiff dated April II. 1911. Of
which he gave out yesterday the following
copy:
Dear Sir: Replying to your letter of yes
terdays date, enormously addressed to
Jacob H. Schiff jr., l beg to advise you
that the facts i'm regard to the case of F.
+. Brandt are that he broke into my house
some four years ago, attempted TO murder
Inc. was thereupon indicted for three
telonies-namely. assault in the first degree,
burglary In the first degree and grand lar
ceny-and was sentenced to thirty years in
From informal ton which have been able
to secure / found the man had very Dad
record before he entered my employ as sec
ond man, and a most dangerous character,
absolutely lacking in moral sense. 1t would
lead too far for me 10 go into the details
by a correspondence in regard TO his Of
fence. hut if YOU come TO New York ! shall
be pleased to have you call upon me and
regard 10 this case. In case you do so, l
wish you would advise me a few days
ahead. so / can make an appointment with
YOU IT, however. this is not feasible.
shall be pleased TO have my counsel, Mr..
Howard s. Cans. send you history Of the
case
Mr. / .erce will probably be before the
grand jury for short time this afternoon,
as he had not finished his story yesterday
John w. Rogers. the private detective,
went before the grand jury, It was report
ed. largely TO supplement his previous tes-
timony by adding to it the substance of his
statement given to the newspapers "A few
days ago. Rogers admitted, even while
claiming that Brandt fully understood the
confession he signed in Schiff's office,
that Brandt had no idea it was to be used
against him. and. in fact, Rogers himself
has previously sworn that ne thought the
confession a mere formality 10 be used, If
AT ALL TO protect Schif If Brandt should
return to this country after Schiff had sent
him to Sweden.
Emerson Davis was still unable TO OK
plain yesterday what caused his deep in
terest in Brandts movements at Dame
mora prison. why he had kept such close
tab on the young Swede, or why ne wanted
10 see Cans and Schiff, instead of the Dis
trict Attorney when he came to New York
n few days ago. lie admitted that he had
had correspondence with the Schiff inter
ests. IL was said.
The requests Of Howard s Cans and
Mortimer l.. Schiff to be allowed to testify
before the grand jury will probably be con
sidered to-day or tomorrow IT is under
stood that the District Attorney has not
changed his mind about this matter. and
that he will advise the grand jury to sub
nit the question OF possible immunity to
Judge Grain, under whose authority the
grand fury works. II Judge Grain decides
that Cans and Schff may waive immunity
they will probably be heard as witnesses
later this week. and the expected indict-
ments are looked for at one of this weeks
closing Sessions. early in the next week