New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-24

Commissioner Waldo's assertion At
the police lieutenants' dinner that the
reason for the police scandal was that
The grafters couldn't deliver protec-
lion brought hot rejoinder from Dis
trict Attorney Whitman Yesterday
when the speech was called To his at
,ention.
Mr. Whitman declared that the start
Of the graft scandal came when a po-
lice lieutenant committed murder and
The Police Department tried 10 protect
that lieutenant. The District Attorney
pointed out that as TO the delivery" Of
protection. George 4. Sipp. the Harlem
hotclkeeper. whose evidence opened up
the trail which has led through Fox
and Walsh, the captain. 10 Sweeney,
the inspector. had received protection
exactly as he paid for it.
Whitman was particularly angry at
what he thought was the "stiliening
up Of Sweeney by Waldo. because he
had every reason TO believe that
sweeney had made up his mind toward
The end OF last week that he would
make a clean breast Of his graft con-
nections and gain what clcmency he
could by doing SO.
The fact that Sweeney's confession
would lead the graft Investigators
through Police Headquarters and on to
the Tammany political ring behind the
81 - fllrar hN- Whit ms NJ
friends AZ the explanation for the
extraordinary efforts made TO encour-
.ge Sweeney and other police officials
who might later become involved in the
graft charges by the public speeches al
the Saturday night dinner.
After Roosevelt Endorsement.
1t was expected that Chairman Nc
call Of the Public Service Commission
would lend his aid 70 any move. that
might help TO keep Tammany Hall OUT
81 the graft muss by checking further
revelations if possible. Neither were
Whitmans friends surprised that
Waldo did everything possible 10 put
heart into Sweeney or any men ac-
cused.
But they were surprised when they
learned Yesterday that an attempt had
been made 10 induce Theodore Roose-
Welt 10 attend. and when they heard.
also. that the people responsible for
President Tafts presence had assured
the President that none of the men ac-
used Of graft would be among the po-
lice officials at the dinner. The man
who conveyed this word TO the Presi-
dent il is said. is one Of MAYOR Gay
nors friends. a man whom the Mayor
has appointed on several honorary
commissions at different times the
very fact that the police endeaNor 70
get the President and Mr.. Roosevelt to-
cether at their dinner table indicated
Inc seriousness OF the effort 10 lend all
possible tone and dignity TO what is
now thought To have been a delibera &c
play 10 deprccate all the graft accusa-
lions.
Assistant District Attorney Groehl
lttTtl'O las AA'bN boNN''' NV
purpose o. the Waldo speech made II
Sweeney's presence its actual effect
Was to stiffen up not only Sweeney bat
The Harlem graft payers and graft ,ak-
crs as well. Groehl's investigators re-
ported 10 him last night that two sa
ioonkcepers who had previously indi-
Gated their willingness to 60 before the
.-and jury to-day TO tell Of furtncr
graft opera lions by the indicted insDec-
tor said yesterday that in view Of Sat
urday nights developments they wsnt-
ID little more time.
The saloonkeepers admitted freely
hat their reason was that they were
not SO sure OF Sweeney's ultimate
downfall as they had been. and that in
any event il was evident from what
had been said at the lieutenants' din
Hcr that the police would be down on
any one that testified against Sweeney.
New Glow to System"
Whitman's investigators reported
yesterday on new line OF inquiry that
may lead y still enother trail to the
political backing which stands behind