The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-01
POLICEMAN IN Spy
net DENIES CHARGE
F. j. Metzler Testifies He
Knew Otto F. Mottola I'm.
der Two Aliases.
TELLS OF PAYING MONEY

Detective Sergeant Otto r. Mottola.
who was suspended recently by Police
Commissioner Woods for alleged lola
connection with the investigation by the
Federal authorities into the activities OF
Paul Koenig of the Hamburg-American
Line. denied categorically yesterday at
his trial before Third Deputy Commits
sioner Lawrence Durham that he had
any relations with Koenig or Koenig's
former secretary. Frederick J. Metzler.
except on business for the Police De-
partment. Mottola was represented by
Alfred J. Tailey. who objected TO nearly
all Of the testimony against his client.
Metzler. whose revelations to h po-
lice and the Federal agents led to the
arrest Of Koenig and others for alleged
conspiracy to destroy the welland Canal
and who furnished other valuable in
formation about pp-German activities
in this country. was the chief witness
against the policeman. Metxier said he
knew Mottola by two aliases, Antonio
Marine n Antonio Salvatore. n that
early last November he paid MottokA 50
or 81 for an investigation concerning a
passenger sailing on the B~ergensfjord.
Metzler said he had received the
one from Koenig. as 1t was his duty
to make out the payroll and vouchers
for the bureau Of investigation Of the
HamburR-Amer,can Line, Of which
koenig was the head.
Had koeniR's Diaries.
Deputy Commissioner Durham. who
questioned the witnesses as we'll as pre-
from two OF Koenig's diaries furnished
by a special agent OF the Department OF
Justice. but did not Introduce the books
az evidence. one entry was to the effect
that lotto Mottola's' alias had been
changed from Antonio Marine to Antonio
Salvatore and that he was to be known
as Special Agent A. s." According Ia
the other entry. lotto Mottoa" could be
reached at 3l00 Spring. at MS home or
at tn. First Branch. $685. Spring, or AT
the jefferson Market court.
Mr.. Talley objected vigorously to the
e'ITlfS uHi'SS INV boDhS were DldNtu III
evidence, Later MIR. Talley stated for
the record that the suspension of Mot
tola from the Police Department was OF
far less concern to him than the impu-
tations contained in the press that the
policeman Was helping the German spy
propaganda in this country. For tina,
reason. Mr.. Talley asked that the Com
missioner hasten the disposition of the
police case against his client. but after
several hours hearing COMMISSIONS
Durham adjourned the trial unit mex,
Friday, while he considers his rulings
on certain objections made by Mr.. Talley
Metzler testified that he knew Mot
tola for more thar two years that tn,
detective frequently visited koenig's pri.
waite office. room s.. at ~ broadway. and
conferred with Kocnig. He asserted tina
koenig several times called Mottola OF
the telephone. The witness related tina
Mottola had investigated certain theft,
on IN OF the Hamburg American boats
and that he had investigated "A passenger
sailing on the Bergensfjord four months
ago and dictated his report for koeuig
to Metzler, who took IL down in short,
hand. lie adrstted To Mr.. Talley. how.
ever. that he was not certain OF his date,
and that he hoped to get immunity from
the Federal authorities by telling all h,
knew.