New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-27
SYSTEM" FEARS NEWELL
MAY "SQUEAL' TODAY
Police and Tammany Bring
Heavy Pressure to Bear on
Indicted Lawyer.
FACES GOFF THIS MORNING
Friends of Man Accused in Sipp
Bribery Case Urge Him to
Reveal Harlem Vice
Graft Ring Secrets.

Graft Ring Secrets.
Edward J. Newell, the lawyer. who Tor
merly represented George A. Sipp and
was indicted for attempting 10 influence
Sipp's testimony before Magistrate Bar
low, Will be arraigned before Justice Goil
| this morning to plead 10 the indictment.
At his home last night Newell appeared
TO he uncertain how he was going 10
plead. He refused to say he would enter
a formal plea Of not guilty. and like
wise refused TO admit he would plead
guilty and attempt 10 gain clemency from
the court by an offer TO aid the District
Attorney.
Newelis lawyer. former Judge W VI. Is.
Olcott. was in Philadelphia. and was not
expected back until this morning. and
Newell, who Yves apparently anxious not
10 discuss his prospective attitude in court
this morning, attempted 10 shift all re-
sponsibilty as TO his plea over TO Judge
Olcott.
The attitude Of the indicted lawyer was
additionally welcome TO District Attorney
Whitman after the stories that the grand
his probe for police graft Whether New
ell would be able to clnch a case against
Il police captain and an inspector whose
names have been met with at every turn
of the inquiry into vice conditions in Han
lem Is not known. but it is believed lie
could put two other lawyers, and quite
likely the police captain concerned. in
such a dangerous position that they would
either have To reveal the graft Of others
higher than themselves in the system
OF face Sing Sing themselves.
II is known, however, that Newell Is
under heavy pressure from both sides.
Powerful men I'm the Police Department
and others who WELD large influence in
Tammany affairs in Harlem are bringing
every possible influence To bear upon him
10 keep him from aiding tine District At
torncy In any way. The story going the
rounds Of this police political ring in Har-
lem yesterday was that the politicians
and police most directly concerned were
not so much afraid OF the revelations that
Newell might make az of the bad example
il would set. and the possibility that his
confession might open the way for others
more dangerous.
These police officers and politicians
have told Ncwclrs friends that he can
surely beat the case BY attacking George
A. Sipps character and by the claim that
the whole case is a 'frame-up." in which
the Sipp family and no one else Is par
! ticipating. II is fact that Sipp, his
wife and his son Howard are. so far as ~
now known. the only witnesses against
Newell. but the weak spot IN that argu-
mcnt IA that even the people who want
Newell 10 fight the case cannot explain
any reason that would justify the Sipps
in trying TO frame up case on him.
Another point which Is said To have in
duced Newell 20 weigh their arguments
warily IL the report that District Attor-
ncy Whitman has obtained documentary
, confirmation of the evidence given by the
Sips IN the form OF telephone company
call records. which show that call was
made from Newelrs Office as related by
Mrs. sipp.
This evidence. which is OF the same
nature az that which proved so disastrous
Ia Charles II. Hydc's attempted alibi, and
which also bore an important relation TO
! the conviction OF Becker. is believed TO
have outweighed in importance in New
,ll's mind the arguments II the police and
politicians who fear his disclosures.
Personal friends OF Newell. not con
| cerned In any attempt To protect any
one I'm the Police Department or III Tam
many political circles In Harlem made no
secret Of the fact yesterday that they had
made numerous efforts to get in com
municaton with District Attorney Whit
man 10 find out whether he would let up
on Newell II the indicted lawyer agrees
10 tell him what he knows Of the relations
between Hsrlem's vice promoters and the
police and politicians ring"
They were equally frank in the admits
sion that they had not been able To com
municatc with Mr.. Whitman, and that
so far thoy had no knowledge apart from
the general reports printed In the news
papers to Justify the belief that Newell
| would he permitted to save himself by
| coming across" az they put II.
What we'd like TO know" said one Of
them last night. us whether Whitman
intends to 20 the limit against Ed in any
event or course if that's the case ne
might as well make a fight but il there's
chance that he can get out of this
mess by making a clean breast of what
ever his relations with this Harlem gang
have been. we want him to get that ad-
|