Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-27
BRINGS OUT METHODS
OF OVERLAPPING SQUAD
Thompson Legislative Committee EN-
amines Detective Sergeant
iunge and Others.
WEEKLY REPORTS TO WOODS
Witness Declares He Could Recog-
nize Voice Heard in Street II He
Had Heard II Before Over Wire.
Continues Inquiry.

NEW YORK, May 26.-While Dis
trict Attorney Swami was, continuing
to-day his John Doe" inquiry into
the tapping Of the telephone wire of
Seymour Seymour. lawyers, with
permission of the police. and the ac-
tivities OF Detective William j. Burns.
employed by J. T. Morgan & Co.
the Thompson Legislative committee
brought out from witnesses for the
first time the methods employed by
the police "wire-tapping squad"
The district attorneys investigation
was centered to-day in the testimony
of Martin EKan, representing the Nor
gan Arm. who told OF the employment
of Burns 70 discover the leak in the
Morgan Office. through which informa-
ton concerning mun!tion contracts
from the entente allies was reaching
business rivals.
He said the trail led TO the Offices
Of Seymour & SEYMOUR and that he
knew Burns intended to seek informa-
ton there. although he had not been
told so directly. He asserted also that
the city police knew the Burns agency
had been retained.
MIR. Egan denied that the inquiry
had revealed An international plot"
as charged by Mayor Mitchell. although
he admitted information had been oh-
tanned relative to a shipment OF cart
ridges TO Mexico In this connection
he mentioned the name Of a man known
10 him AS representative OF Captain
Boy-Ed.
Deputy Police Commissioner Lord
said he had been convinced that crime
had been committed and ordered that
the wire Of Seymour & Seymour be
tapped. He declared he had not per-
not given the detective the Informal
ton he had gained. Finally, the
deputy commissioner stated. he ordered
the listening stopped the informa-
ton gained was not helping him 70
deter crime.
The Thompson committee began it's
session to-day by hearing DIT Daniel
{. Potter. one OF those charged by
Mayor Mitchell with having engaged
in conspiracy TO discredit the city
charities department. DR.. Potte: de-
MED that efforts we're made TO spirit,
him out Of the state 10 avoid appearing
before the charities investigating com
rnittee, as asserted by Mayor Mitchell.
Detective Sergeant Yunge. who has
charge OF a special squad of five men.
which supervises telephone wires, t~s-
titled that the squad makes written
report once week to COMMISSIONS
Woods. The witness said that wires
are supervised in place some dis
lance from police headquarters"
Conversations were reported first, on
an ordinary slate. He testified that
the men tried 10 get the whole con-
versation. but admitted that they could
not always take down every word
Later the conversations are recorded in
q book.
The sergeant declared he could recoC-
n!ze voice heard in the street If he
had heard II before over the wire He
admitted seeking Father Farrell by or
der OF Deputy Commissioner Lord that
he might hear the priests voice. He
declared he had been told by Mr.. Lord
20 try 10 get close to Father Farrell.
n. c. Potter and Robert W. Hebherd so
YOU can say you have heard their
voices"