New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-12
AND BUCKNER
IN DUEL OF WORDS
Spectators at Curran Hearing
Greatly Amused by Replies
of JOC0Se Witness.
GOD WITH HIM, HE SAYS
And Committee Has No Right to
Delve Into His Private
Business'-Cruise De-
MES Purcell Charges.

Joseph A. Britton. the head of the Brit
ton Society. otherwise known as the New
York Society for the Enforcement or
Criminal Law who was named by James
Purcell as steady collector Of graft
from him. denied Purcelfs charges before
the Curran investigating committee yes
terday.
Br1tton declined to tell anything about
the way in which the society was support
ed. save TO say II received private sub
scriptions.
List Of Officers.
Its president. he said, was DR.. 7. Alex
ander MacNichol, who ran for Governor
on the Prohibition ticket last fall; joseph
Il Chamberlain, an undertaken. Of Brook
lyn. was secretary. he said, and John Il.
Walker. a lawyer, was the societys coun-
sci
Michael. ]. Cruise. Tammany leader or
the 18th District. preceded Britton on the
stand He denied all OF Purcelfs charges
also He admitted knowing Purcell, out
denied ever negotiating with Police cap
tain CRAY. Charles +. Murphy's brother
jn-law, to permit Purcell TO open a pooi
room.
Britton's first bit of information was
that he didn't know the Britton Society
had made an investigation toward entorc-
ing criminal law. Mr.. Walker. he said,
would know.
well. what do you do?" asked Mr..
Buckner.
81 sit in the office and receive reports
from agents once in while
Purcell, he insisted. was only n stool
pigeon, and had been for ten years.
What sort of society is this Che Brit
ton Society. ~ not for the COLLECTION Oh
blackmail?" asked Mr. Buckner.
Britton's only reply was that the ques-
ton was insulting.
Then Mr.. Buckner inquired about MI.
walker and learned that all Britton
knew was that "he lives somewhere In
New Jersey" and was down at the once
on Mondays. Wednesdays and Fridays.
Rritton said the only way the society
actively aided in enforcing the criminal
law was to write complaints to police cap
,ains and inspectors. The examination
went on az follows:
O-Why confine your operations "a
writing letters? A.-The police arc the
proper ones to enforce the law. not PIT
vate citizens.
Purpose Of Society.
Q-Then what use is your society: A.
The use OF the society Is To compel the
police 10 do their duty.
Q-Wha' salary do you receive A
That is "A private matter between me ana
the society.
DO you get any salary? Al refuse
10 answer
Glow do YOU live? A.-That is a pri-
vate matter. You're here to Investigate
the police. not me. I'm here to help you
all / can.
OIL don't think you can. If you don I
get money from gamblers and pool sellers
you won't tell Us how you get II. A
Certainly not
Q-Whst do YOU do as superintendent
OF the society. A.-Nothine.
GLOW do you amuse yourself? A
That's my business.
In reply to another question Brtton
said that the committee had no power TO
investigate him.
before | was sick | had a very active
aim said Britton. Il don't say that
for any pity, III aigswer any questions.
for God rs with me"
AZ BrittOn left the stand he was accom-
pied to his Office by process server. VINO
had a subpoena duces tecum for all the
books and papers of the society. At the
Office Britton told the agent that none OF
the many books and papers IN the office
belonged To the society. and said Mr.
Walker knew all about them.
Or. MacNichol was surprised last night
when told of the proceedings before the
Curran committee. lie said Brltton was
not superintendent OF the society. as Brit
ton had sworn. He understood that Brit
ton was acting in an advisory capacity To
the society. Britton. he said. was not
p,ld any salary.