New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-23
.DUCCAN DENIES
POLICE |FRAME-UP'
Baited by Prisoners COun-
sci, Captain Explains Ar
rest of Ex-Burglar.
WILLING TO ARREST
ANY FORMER CONVICT
Parole Board Members Sharply
Criticise Methods Used
at Headquarters.

Prompted by Alfred Schwtofsky,
who asserts that his twenty-year term
in Sing Sing was the result Of police
frsme-up. Samuel Untcrmyer, his coun
sci. baited Police Captain William W.
Duggan yesterday at the hearing be-
fore the State Board Of Parole, in the
rooms Of the New York County Law
yers' Association. After Duggan's
cross-eXamination John B. Riley, Su-
perintendent of Prisons, exclaimed
that if the oldtime police methods had
come back with the lineup. it was
time for regulation of New lork's Po
lice Department.
Schwitofsky, fumbling nervously
with his handkerchief as the hearing
which is to decide whether he shall go
free or stay seven years more in Sing
Sing proceeded, frequently leaned for
ward to suggest questions to his coun
sci. In at least one instance mis- sug-
gestion was based on faulty informa-
ton. and Mr.. Untermyer withdrew his
question. At the noon recess there
was a brief reunion between Schwitof-
SKY and his wife and child.
Captain Duggan denied in detail the
charges of persecution made against
him by Schwltofsky.
ITS not that have anything
against him. ne said. "but it's being
brought here under criticism for doing
good police work"
whats a stool pigeon demanded
Mr.. Untermyer sharply.
"There's one answered Duggan,
looking toward Schwitofsky. Hes
man that sells information"
Duggan said he had used them when
he was in the detective bureau and
that he sometimes had as many as
one hundred working for him.
"Were you called before the Curran
committee to answer charges OF de-
handing money for the return of stol-
en- property made by Boston jeweller
named lillian" asked Mr.. Untermycr.
81 was called. | never knew what
the charges were until ! saw that book
of scandal" pointing TO Schwitofsky's
Jacob Goldstein, rabbi Of the Tombs
prison.
AT any rate you refused to attempt
to clear yourself at the price OF walv-
ing immunity"
at wasn't necessary. An accusation
never worries an innocent man. Be
sides, had the example Of Commits
sioners Waldo and Dougherty."
"When you arrested this man in
1908 you told the court you knew him
as a burglar. Don't you know he had
never been arrested for burglary at
that time?"
"a knew he'd done time and ! had
been informed he was out again, con
sorting with his old gang and ready
TO turn off a trick. He hung out IN
coffee houses with such notorious
crooks as The Count Black Butch
and the two fellows that committed the
Staber murder and burglary in Brook
lyn. When | was in the bureau every
burglar knew I'd bring him in on
sight. If I saw him four times IN
week I'd bring him in every time
That's the way they do business at
Police Headquarters ,"
That's the way ! used to do bust
ness"
"Do you mean" asked Superintcnd-
emf Riley, who, with Judge Henry j.
Mccain, Of Albany, and State Senator
William Townsend, Of Utica, compose
the Board of Parole, that as soon as
a man is discharged from prison he
would be arrested? -
ar we were told that he was
hanging out with the old gang and
committing or ready to commit further
crimes, yes"
"Well, | think the Police Department
needs regulating down here"
Tactics similar TO those employed
against Duggan proved unaysiling
when Mr.. Untermycr brought them
into play against his former partner,
Captain William H. Kinsler. Under
direct examination by James 4. Della
hantv. Assistant District Attorney, he
told story similar TO Duggap's 5. In
1908 Schwitofsky had been arrested
for carving a revolver, he SAID.
mask and stolen property were also
found upon him.
To Mr.. Untcrmyer's insinuatinG
queries concerning the Curran Com
mittec and fees alleged to have been
accepted from private detect,Nc
agency during the cloakmakers strlhe'
Kinsler returned contained put as
dainful monosyllsbles. As to the prl-
yate detectives money he was some
what moro explicit.
"None was ever offered TO me- nc
said. -.
After answering one or two ques-
tions. Detective John TAFT convinced
Mr.. Untermyer thaI sen" ItOl9N'
named the wrong man when he brought
accusations against him.
Schwitofsky obtained his hearing pc
fore the Parole Board through the et-
forts Of Samuel Untermyer and Assem-,
blyman Mark Eisner, who volunteered
their aid. o,..,
At the evening session Judge Swami
Of General Sessions testified TO an
earlier conviction Of Schwitofsky ana
Norah Murphy. a former cmployte o.
Theodore B. Dale, on whose compliant
Schwitofsky was sentenced, told Of
Schwitofsky's gaining entrance TO
Dale's house by posing as a telephone
lineman. Mrs. Alma j. Ellsworth
identifed Schwitofsky as the man
upon whom jewelry stolen from her
was found in 1908.
Judge Mccain to-day VIII ask GOV
crnor Glvnn TO designate a member
of the Parole Board as special com
missioner with the power OF issuing
subpoenas. When that designation
has been made Mr.. Delehanty hopes
70 compel the attendance Of witnesses
Who have been evading him. Inc
hearings will probably be ended Mon.
dav. As Mr.. Untermyer SAILS LOT
Furopc Saturday Assemblyman Eisncr
u,ill represent Schwitofsky.