New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-01
BURNS TELLS Of TRAP
SET IN ATLANTIC CITY
After Hearing Detectives Story
Magistrate Holds Councilman
for Taking Bride.
HAD ORDINANCE PREPARED
Operative Explains It's lntroduc-
ton and Relates Conversation
with Prisoner Which Was
Taken by Dictagraph.
10y Telegraph to The Tribune

Atlantic CITY May 31.-Proof Of the
councilmanic graft charges which have
shaken this resort to it's foundations was
forthcoming at the arrangement to-day
of Councilman Harry Dougherty. who
was arrested yesterday because he re-
fused to confess to William j. Burns
that lie had been implicated with Coun-
,ilmcn Phubus. Lane. kessler and Malta
in the alleged graft i'm the passing of an
ordinance providing for the reconstruc-
ton of the boardwalk with concrete.
Tho testimony submitted by Frank
SMILEY. the Burns operative said to haN"
handled the cash under the name 81
"Fraukln." was SO Conclusive thai
Magistrate Burgan. at the end of the
hearing, liked bail in S3,W" for the APP
'tarance of Dougherty before the granI
Dry
The hearing place was packed to IS
capacity when Magistrate Burg2n
opened the proceedings Doughcrty had
arrived early, coming with his personal
counsel. Frank Sooy and Harry Lallou'
jr William +. VAIL the complainant,
had as his counsel Charles :. MORE
who was assisted u" Assistant Attorney
General Nelson Il. Gaskin, representing
tho state.
William j. Burns. who was called t.
the stand Immediately after VAIL be-
cen the story 10y telling of a general in
vcstiCation planned for this city year
ago for the purpose of disclosing inc
corruption believed TO exist among coun-
cilmen and other officials.
Had Boardwalk Ordinance Prepared.
We became convinced" said Mr..
Burns. that number of the council
men were accepting brides. and J sug-
gcstod that the boardwalk ordnance
now known as ordinance No. u, he m
troduccd into council. The work of haV-
ing this ordinance prepared and intro
duccd WAS left in charge of one Of my
operatives"
Which of your operatives had charge
of this work." asked Mr.. Moore
Frank Smiley known here under the
name of Franklin, replied Burns
Councilman Phoebus pale and greatly
the detective regarding conversation
with Dougherty at the Marlborough
Blenheim.
Lane and l told him what we had
done" said Phoebus, land we told him
he would be wise TO follow the same
course. but he refus to take our advice
and remained silent
DID you have any conversation with
Dougherty regarding the passing Of the
Boardwalk ordinance before the pay
ment of the bribes?" asked Mr. Moore.
Il told him he would be taken care of, "
was the almost inaudible response Of the
councilman.
Smiley positively identified Dougherty
as the man who came TO his room on
April II and received ten $50 bills in re-
turn for his vote on the Boardwalk ordi-
nance.
Thought Boys Would Have Hard Time.
when Dougherty entered the room, y
said Smiley, The introduced himself and
asked him what the prospects were
for passing the Boardwalk measure. He
said lie thought they were good, but
advised me To get as many th"ee-y year
men as / could. as that would make the
whole proposition look better. BY three
year men he meant those who had three
and not one or two years yet TO serve.
He said the boys would have hard
time OF it in getting the measure
through hut he was confident it would
lie all right i'm tho end. ! then counted
him out the ton $50 bills, and he APP
peared to be in 4 hurry to get away
after thanking me-
The witness then said he had paid
Malta his money prior to that time. but
had paid Phnbus only $50 and not $500.
Was the money running Short" asked
Sooy.
ooh. no there was plenty of money.
was the detectives reply. but some OF
them became scared and failed to show
up TO get their share"
While this transaction was taking
place, Smiley said. two stenographers
stationed on the floor above were busily
engaged In taking down the converse
ton with the aid of a dictagraph.
William j. Burns arrived in town last
night from Atlantic City. lie described
the formation and methods of the mythical
contracting firm in which exhaustive in
vestigation by the Councimen failed TO re
veal a flaw, and expressed complete conf
dence that the work lie had done would be
successful.