New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-07-21
"Her the Wir" Another At
tempt by Detective
Listener in Court.
IS. T. w. T." NOT A CODE
BUT A CONVERSATION
Potter Proves, by Wife and
Sister, Errors Were Made
by Charities Eavesdroppers.

In order TO make a practical test OF
the ability of the police "wiretappers
TO take down telephone Conversations
Justice Greenbaum, at yesterday 5
hearing of the Mayors conspiracy
charges against Roman Cathohc
clergvmen, turned his chambers over
to the "tappers" during the noon re-
cess. Detective John Kennel, the
dean" of the staff, who is brother
of Lieutenant William Kennel, s's-
toned in Mayor Mitcheps office, was
selected to stand the test, because he
took down last March what are re-
garded as the most important CONVEX
sations figuring in the charges.
Meier Steinbrink, counsel for Mon
signor Dunn and Father William Far
rell, suggested the test. With Alfred
]. Talley, his associate counsel .ns
LAWYERS read the following conversation
over n wire on which Kennel was lis
tening in:
Out-"Hullo. is the doctor in -
94S-"Yes; hold the wire. Hello"
Outl"Hello, what do you want 20
know"
e4s-"Well, ! have the Sun, Trib-
une. World and Times. There are
few stories, but they have them all
mixed up"
His Notes a Problem.
This is the way Kennels notes
looked:
Costello"
Out-"Hello. is DR.. in"
606-"Her the wir"
Outs. T. w. T."
6O6-"M. W. Stir all mix"
In addition, the lawyers framed up
a dialogue of about 100 words in which
Steinbrink used the words "Eleemosy-
nary institution" and number OF other
rather uncommon words. Kennel took
no notes. He told Justice Greenbaum
that the lawyers talked too fast. The
only word he remembered was "indis-
pensable." Mr.. Talley looked at his
copy Of the conversation and said the
word was not used.
at is evident that the witness was
under great excitement. Con-
sidering the changed circumstances UNI
der which he worked the test was not
exactly fair" said Justice Greenbaum.
Would your honor consent to go to
the police overlapping room, %
Church Street, for another test -
"If deem il necessary | will" said
the court, dismissing the witness, Ken
mel. from the stand.
Examines Wife.
Spectators in the courtroom yester-
dav were treated 10 the unusual per-
Torrance Of lawyer cross-questlonlng
his wife and his sister. The lawyer
was Dean Potter, counsel for ms
father. DR.. Daniel c. Potter, and the
witnesses were Mrs. Caroline Potter
and Miss Julia Potter. The latter lives
with her father, DR.. Potter, IN eaton
Avenue. and testified she was present
when Michael Reilly, Father FarrelIs
sexton, brought letter from the priest
TO DR.. Potter on March "a.
Kennels record OF conversations
held the same dav between the two
men. and another one held an hour later
between Dr.. Potter and Monsignor,
Dunn. contained references to offers OF
$50 and 500 TO DR.. Potter If he would
"slip out" of town and remain away
few days until the charities invesAga-
tion blew over.
Miss Potter declared that rather
Farrell's letter contained no money
The letter which had no bearlng, on tne
subject. was read in court. Reilly tes-
tified later that he left Father Farrells
rectory with the letter before the al