New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-03
whitman Confident Evidence
Will Warrant Conviction-In-
spectors Lahey and Sweeney
Curran Witnesses.


District Attorney Whitman an
nounced late last night that Thomas
I Dorian. the hotelkeeper who testi-
fed 10 graft conditions before the Cur
ran aldermanic committee. had made
an unconditional surrender TO the Dis
trict Attorney and would be the chief
witness against Fox.
Mr.. Whitman said that Dorian was
in New York. but he declined to'dis-
close his whereabouts. He said he had
Two detectives guarding the witness.
Mr. Whitman is confident the evil
dence against Fox will warrant conNlc-
ton. and he feels that in tho interim
between conviction and sentence the
accused patrolman will not be able to
hold 10 his decision TO sit tight and
allow himself to be made the "scape-
goat" for the police corruption which
has been disclosed in Harlem.
New Witness Discovered.
George A. Sipp and his son Howard,
on whose evidence Fox was indicted
when seen yesterday at their home. No.
80 West both street, declared them
selves ready TO take the witness stand
and repeat their charges against Fox.
Innumerable efforts had been made To
influence them. the elder Sipp said. but
the persons back of those efforts had
never shown their hands openly.
Through Sipp Mr.. Whitman will be able
10 produce another witness. a man who
saw the alleged passing of the bride
money from Sipp TO Fox. and on other
occasions sometimes handled the money
between the hotellleeper and the police
man.
Tho District Attorney has not made
public The name of this important wit
ness nor will he until the man takes
the stand. but il is understood he is not
a police officer and that he has been
we'll known in the underworld circles of
Harlem for several years.
II was reported yesterday that the
two high police officials most intimate
~ concerned in possible graft disclos-
ures from Fox, if convicted. had insist
cd that he accept a prominent attorney
thew would retain as his trial lawyer,
but that Fox, suspicious that they were
seeking only certain method OF
throwing him overheard refused the
suggestion. Louis J. Grant and Jacob
Rouss, who represented Fox in his pre-
yious appearances in court and before
the police trial commissioner VIII be
his attorneys at the opening of the
trial. but IL would not surprise the Dis
trict Attorney IL they should drop out
Of the case before il is finished and the
substitution Of another lawyer be used
as an argument TO delay the trial
sipp expects that the police officials,
endangered by Fox's proximity TO real
trouble. will make a red hot attack on
him as a witness, especially since 1t
was learned few days ago that In
spector Sweeney had investigated the
story Of Sipp in connection with the
Monument House in Harlem. That no.
tel was the scene designated in one OF
the af1davits from women which were
made the basis of SIpp's arrest in At
lantic City, but, as the alleged evidence
was thrown out by the grand jury. Sipp
does not believe that any attack along
that line will get far.
Because of the complete breakdown
Of thel alleged evidence Of the two
women before the grand jury it is not
expected that they will appear at the
Trial, but Morris Grossman, Sweeney's
plainclothes man, who attempted to
work up the case against Sipp, may he
put on in a last endeavor 10 discredit
his testimony against Fox
Fox, II Convicted, May "SqueaI."
In view Of the fact that Mr.. Whit
man refused 10 talk with Fox or his
attorney just after the indictment was
filed, il is said that Fox will not have
any opportunity TO "squeal' until after
the trial is over. After the end Of the
trial and before he is sentenced, If con-
victed. il is thought he will be in a
uositiOn that is more likely TO loosen
his tongue 10 some purpose. and Will
al the same time he, in measure, re-
moved from the strong pressure that
has been brought 10 bear on him II
keep him q,iet so far in the case, and
in all probability he will have his final
chance TO save himself lay throwing
over the higher police officers who
benefited by his collections" at that
time.
Assistant District Attorney Frank
Moss will conduct the prosecution. with
Frederick j. Groehl assisting.
The Curran aldermanic committee
will resume its public hearings this
morning, with Inspector Lahey as a
witness. Inspector Dennis Sweeney
Will be heard when the committee fin
ishes with Lahey. Their examination.
1t was said, will be along the construc-
tive lines laid out by Emory r. Buck
ner, the counsel. and is not expected to
develop anything startling.
Back Of the conviction and sentence
ing TO six months on Blackwells Island
OF Philip Blau, Of the Hotel Lincoln,