New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-11-20
SAYS WIRETAPPERS
PAID POLICE CRAFT
"Al" Cohen, Formerly De-
tective, Tells of Collect
ing for His Captain.
GOT SHARE OF
THEIR PICKINGS
Story Corroborates Confessions
Received by Whitman from
Other Sources.

A strong confederation Of confessions
made to District Attorney Whitman con-
corning the payment of graft to police
officials by overlapping bands was told
yesterday by "Ar' Cohen. former detec-
tive. For more than two hours Cohen, in
the presence of Assistant District Attor-
ney Frederick Groehl and a stenographer.
went over his dealings with the wiretap-
ping bands. representing the police I'm the
collection of graft which eventually found
its way higher up.
Following this, Cohen went to the Dis
trict Attorneys Office and for an hour
went over what he had told to the prose-
cutors assistant. Except for a minor
detail, which concerned an amount OF
money paid. his story substantiates in de-
tail that of George McRae. Carter. George
Tarbeaux and Mickey" Shea
Cohen is alleged to have told the Dis
trict Attorney how Simon Jones, Pitts
burgh man, was fieeced out Of $40, 900.
Cohen said he received 5000 from the
gang and gave half OF 1t to police cap
tain now retired. This was in October,
1912. Cohen said. The early part of that
month Cohen was approached. he said.
by one Of the gang and asked to fix things
up with the police in view Of the arrival
in the city OF good thing" The regu-
lar go-between was another man, Cohen
said. but the deal was considered by the
gang too important TO trust him with II.
Cohen said that prior to his retirement
from the force, In February, 1911. he had
frequently acted in a similar capacity, but
since he had retired he thought ii advisa-
BILE to talk the matter over with police
captain 10 find out the lay of the land.
According TO Cohen, the captain in ques-
ton told him that everything was all
right and he could act In behalf OF the
wiretappers.
"Of course" Cohen quoted him. you
know / do not get it all. l am only
handling this for some one else"
After Jones, of Pittsburgh. was fleeced
and Cohen received $4,000, an additional
$500 was paid TO the captain by the gang.
OF the $4,000 Cohen admitted he got half.
Who the man was TO whom the captain
was actually given by the captain Cohen
could not swear. He gave. however, the
name OF the man to whom the captain
Sdlu ne was u give IL.
About two weeks ago, Cohen said, he
realized that he was I'm bad, and he told
the captain that he did not want to be
made the goat, and would tell what he
knew. Receiving no satisfactory reply. he
decided to unbosom himself TO Mr.. Whit
man.
Previous TO the Jones transaction Cohen
admitted. IL Is said. that he acted in a
similar capacity for wiretappers, and said
he collected for a police inspector who
at one time was connected with the De-
tective Bureau.
The confession OF Cohen is considered
most important step yet taken toward the
tracing Of the overlapping graft 10 the
man higher up" In addition to the
story's being corroborative of those al
ready told by members OF the gang. II
brings to light the payment OF graft to the
police captain who has been implicated by
the others. The captain mentioned by
Cohen yesterday is retired. but for years
was a member of the Detective Bureau.
and his name for years was foremost in
most of the more important arrests in
other crimes than overlapping. Just pre-
vlous 10 his retirement he was in COM
mand OF a precinct.
The facts in the case. IL Is expected,
will De ready for presentation to the grand
Jury the early part of next week.