New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-21
BURNS MAN, IN DETROIT,
POSED AS WABASH HEAD
Alderman Confessed When Con-
fronted by Detective Chief, A.
ter Getting ST, 900, He Says.
ACCUSED OFFICIALS HELD
Sleuth, in Court, Reveals Story
of the Trapping of Is Coun-
Gil Members Involved
in Graft Charges.

Detroit. Aug. 2o-Thc testimony Of w.
J. Brennan, a Burns detective. was the
feature of the police court examination
to-day of Honest Tom Gilman. the first
OF the eighteen aldermen recently ar
rested on bribery charges to be tried. II
was Brcnnan's evidence that resulted in
the arrests of the aldermen and Edward
Schreiter Common Council clerk. who
has since made a complete confession.
To-day Brennan went into all the de-
tails OF the trapping OF the aldermen up
to the time he alleges that he, repre-
scnting himself TO be an official of the
Wabash Railroad, paid Gilman $1,000 for
his influence in granting the railroad g
request for the use OF a city street for
building purposes.
The cases against Aldermen Watson,
Ellis. Zoeller. Merritt Hindle and Skrzcki
to-day were postponed until August 90.
Alderman Thcisens case will come Up
next Friday. Disposition was reserved
In the cases against Aldermen BroZo. Ro-
senthal, Lynch, O'Brien and KoeniG. and
the examination OF Aldermen Dcimel
Mason, Ostrowsk. Possy and Walsh will
ter also has been remanded for a week.
Brennan, upon taking the stand, eX-
planned that his right name is Walter j.
Burns. and that his home is in Boston.
He told Of coming to the city in April
and Of taking offices in the Ford Building
as representative OF the real estate de
partment OF the Wabash Railroad He
also engaged an adjoining office and had
New England Historical Society" printed
upon the door.
The detective then told OF getting him
self acquainted with the different alder
men, OF impressing upon them the urgent
desire of the railroad for the rights TO
the street and Of opposition to the pro-
posal that was expressed by several OF
the councimen. Finally. he testified.
Gilman came to his office and arrange
ments were made for tho closing Of the
street Brennan continued:
Gilman told me at that time that he
wanted 70 use me as pipe line to
st. Louis He had wanted for "cars TO
get on the Wabash Railroad, he said.
and thought that he could serve the com
pany by looking after its taxes and other
matters in the city Hall lie said he
would want about 800 a month for his
services
interrupted TO say: alderman. this
street closing case has been referred back
10 the committee and I guess there is
some difficulty. isn't there Yes. but I
guess We can adjust it, he replied.
He then gave me list OF aldermen
and said he would see them aud pay
them. I already had arranged 80 give
him some money for the passage OF tho
resolution closing tho street. The amount
that We decided upon at that time as
g.. f..tf 90.
81. 100 and 5000.
The witness then went into the details
of further visits with Gilman. confer
cnces at the sldermsn's home and meet
ings in the City Hall. At last, he said,
all arrangements were complete for tho
payment OF the bride money. II had been
planned for the aldermen 20 go iudi-
vdually to Brcnnan's office in tho Ford
Building and get their share. Gilman
was to 90 last and got what was lolL
which Brennan had told him would bc at
least $1,000
Gilman appeared promptly on July .
for the money, declared the detective.
who went on:
took out roll Of bills and counted
them. J said Gilman. here Is tho flVp
that I promised YOU for voting Tor tho
Wabash closing" He thanked ne and
nut the money in his left inside pocket.
AS he left | took him into the next room.
Mr. Burns was there
/ said: MIR. Gilman. allow me 10 pro
sont YOU 20 Mr. william j. Buns. and
Gilman said: PLEASED TO meet You.
The witness then testified that Gilman.
when he realized his situation, handed
hack the money and made complete
,pufecciou