New-York tribune., 1913-11-18
WHITMAN EXPECTS
POLICE CONFESSION
Evidence of Deal by Man
Accused by Wire Tappers
Gives Him Grip.
TO BUY HOUSE LOW
HE RAIDED OWNER
Woman Victim of SWindlers Says
She May Tell of Graft If
Promised Protection.

In the course Of his investigation into
the graft charges made by the wire tap
pers against high police officials and a
number Of men under them at Headquar-
ters District Attorney Whitman yester-
day uncovered g real estate transaction
conducted by one Of the men under sus-
picion, by means Of which he expects to
wrest n full confession. He also expects
that the confession will insure an indict-
ment against the civilian official at Head
quarters involved in the scandal and Will
materially strengthen the case against the
uniformed subordinates said to be in
"cahoots" with him.
1t was learned last night that one OF
these two men appeared before Commits
sioner Waldo on Friday and asked to be
retired much to the Commissioners sur
prise, as he is still comparatively young
man and in good physical condition. The
Commissioner finally informed him that
he thought the matter had better go over
until the wire tapping investigation was
completed.
The questionable real estate transac-
tion was engaged in by the man who is
named by the wire tappers as the ono
who collected from them the monthly
stipend of s., 500 This money was paid TO
the civilian official In return for protec-
tion II is alleged, and was handed over
to his superior. At about the time this
arrangement was going on this go-be-
tween was in charge of a vice squad.
1t happened, also. that he wanted to
purchase the house he was living in from
the owner for $500. but the owner held
out for $4,000. Failing to get the house
at his price, he took his strong-arm
squad, so the information that came TO
Mr. Whitman runs, and raided a gam
bling house In Schermerhorn street.
Brooklyn, In which the owner was al
legged to have an interest, smashing the
fittings and wrecking the establishment
generally.
The evidence gathered in this raid was
placed in the hands of the District At
torney of Kings County. in whose. Juris-
diction the case came. For some reason
the eagerness OF the raider to press the
charge suddenly cooled so completely
that the case could never be brought to
trial.
II was learned yesterday by Mr.. Whit
man that about this time the house
changed hands. passing from the gam
bling house owner to the police raider for
tho sum OF 81 and other valuable con-
sIderation." The date OF this transac-
tlon was May l2, 1912. The actual price
paid, according to Mr.. Whitmans infor-
nation, was the $500 originally offered.
Unless this man agrees 10 tell what he
knows about the wire tapping graft II Is
probable that an indictment for his vice.
squad activities will be demanded. This
would be following the method Mr. Whit
man found so useful in the cases growing
out OF the Becker scandal.
Mr. Whitman also learned yesterday
that the civilian official at whose convic-
tion he IS especially aiming has enjoyed
considerable prosperity during the time
the graft IS supposed to have gone on. He
learned that between January l and June
90. OF this year. he bought two automo-
biles and paid OF mortgages OF consider
able amounts on parcels OF real estate.
A woman victim Of the wire tappers was
found Yesterday by a Tribune reporter.
She said she had been waiting for months
for her case to be pressed. but was al
ways told by the police that nothing
could be done until previous charges
against the man who heeced her could be
of.
"I am beginning to see now why there
is so much delay" she said. II thought
the police were on the level. but II be-
come convinced they are double-crosslng
me am going TO tell all know.
THE man who took my money has said
that II he was sent to prison by the police
one OF the highest officials at Headquar-
ters would go with him. l know that
last spring. while he was In the Tombs.
he tried TO get bail, but couldn't. So he
threatened to squeal. and the police
scurried around and got $4,000 bail for
him"
She hesitated and then went on: "Oh,