New-York tribune., 1913-11-23
WIRE TAPER DUPE,
WOMAN, VANISHES
Prosecutors Aid, Keeping
Appointment, Finds She
Has Disappeared.
SCARED OR PAID;
LEAVES NO TRACE
Witness TO Tell How Police Got
Him to Drop Case-Swindlers'
Code Deciphered.


There were four important develop
ments yesterday in the District Attor-
ney's investigation into the alleged
league between the police and the con-
fdence men for making wire tapping
safe and lucrative employment in New
York
One Of these was the finding OF
victim of the game who is expected to
tell the grand jury he was visited by
man who said ne was a representative
Of the police, and advised him to
change his testimony against his de-
frauders when his case came up for
trial, so that it would be impossible to
obtain a conviction. 1t was said this
emissary succeeded in convincing this
particular complainant that it would
be useless to try TO get satisfaction,
and the victim finally dropped the case.
With the consideration of the fore
going as an example Of the way the
ring worked to silence witnesses came
news of the disappearance yesterday
OF a woman who was counted upon TO
give important information against the
grafters. Frederick Groehl, Assistant
District Attorney. who is conducting
the investigation for Mr.. Whitman. had
an appointment to meet this woman,
but when he reached the meeting place
he learned she had left town. leaving
no definite information as TO her
whereabouts or where he could see her
In the future. II was thought she had
either been frightened off or had been
given inducements by the ring TO keep
out of sight.
AS a result of this and other in
stances Of failure TO get desired infor-
nation it was decided yesterday to
put off the hearing before the grand
ury scheduled for Monday until some
day later in the week.
The two other important develop
subpoena TO the custodian Of records at
Police Headquarters to produce all rec
ords Of wire tapping cases before the
grand jury, and the discovery Of the
secret code through which the wire
tappers kept each other informed as to
whether their friends at Headquarters
would stand for the fleeing of an in
tended victim.
The purpose of the subpoena was TO
get at all wire tapping cases, including
those prior to the Rosenthal case and
those in which complaints were re-
ceived, but no arrests were made.
These will be analyzed in conjunction
with the list Of arrests. all made since
public by Deputy Commissioner Dough
erty last Thursday.
Dougherty had announced yesterday
morning that II was his intention to
make these other records public also,
but when he learned of the subpoena
he changed his mind.
In view Of the fact that the District
Attorney has subpenaed these rec
ords," he said. Il will not now make
them public
He said 1t was his intention to CO.
operate in every way with Mr.. Whit
man. and at once set about getting the
material in shape for presentation be-
fore the grand jury.
The secret code, whose working out
was announced yesterday, is expected
TO explain just how it was the wire
tappers kept their game running
smoothly. In this code Mr.. Whitman
was always referred TO as "Dr. Fried
man" Mr.. Groehl as Young DR.. Fried
man." a detective on Mr.. Whitman's
staff as Big Dick" and the lieutenant
at Headquarters who was supposed to
be the go-between in carrying the pro-
lection money TO the men In power
there and in arranging for the protec-
tion was called 'Mr. Longlegs."
According TO the information given
Mr.. Whitman, II was the practice OF the
wire tappers to inform the police of an
intended Slaughter" If II was agreed
to by the police, telegram would be
sent out to the operators having the
.
"Mr. Longlengs knows all about 1t.
IT meets with his approval"
The ring was aware. however, that
Mr.. Whitman for many months past
was investigating rumors that this ar
rangement was in operation. and II it
was feared that he knew about an i'm
pending turn off," a telegram would
be sent out as follows:
"Saw DR.. Friedman to-day and he
advises against the operation"
Similar warnings were sent out If it
was feared Mr.. Groehl was on the trail
or the victim was liable TO ''squeap
too hard when he realized he had been
swindled.