New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-02
Woods's Hunt Was Inter
rupted by Wire-Tapping
Outcry Last Spring
Net Ready to Close
Mexican-Japanese Clews Got
by Seull Who Used Wire
less in Search

tho United States last June when
-. protcsts against overlapping fol-
io,rinr the charities investigation re-
v.sIsd 10 the suspected men the depart
nsnts system Of listening in on their
conversations.
pespite that handicap, the trail was
,ieksd " again last fall by Deputy
commissioner Guy. H. Soul and
squad OF thirty policemen. Since then
evidence has been gathered which they
believed warranted them, early yester-
day morning. in starting TO close their
net about a group Of suspects.
Police officials yesterday said that had
II heen possible to forestsll the wire
tspping investigation. the Washington
authorities would have been in posses
'>>,ion months ago of many Of the facts
disclosed in the zimmerman letter.
The suspected group is not confined
~ New York. Clews have led New York
rolcemen. with credentials from the
Dspartment of Justice. far into the
West and South. All the information
gathered is in possession OF the Secret
Servic. and arrests. if any are made.
will he under the direction of the State
Department.
Police Commissioner Woods and De-
putv Commissioner Scull on account Of
the delicacy of the situation refused
10 discuss for publication the work OF
the department in connection with the
pot.
Wire Tapping TO Aid City
10 was learned however that the crit
zeal situation in Mexico and the pos
sibility of that situation creating dis
order in New York was the primary
cause for the starting of the system OF
tapping telephone wires on the scale
carried on under Commissioner Woods.
An other matters, such IS detection of
crime. were of secondary Importance.
1t was thought that when the char
ties Investigation scandal developed
il would be an easy matter to keep
covered the more important work. But
the inquiry, spurred by labor unions,
friends of the Catholic priests and
others who were unable to discern the
scope Of the system. soon uncovered an
International matter IN the Seymour q
Seymour case. ..
As il was brought out that William
J. Burns tapped the firms wires with
the consent Of the Equitable Building
management and in the interest OF ). +.
Morgan & Co, and that the tapping was
Tor the purpose Of learning the identity
Of the person stealing confidential
French Communications from the Nor
gan Office, Mayor Mitchell and Commits
sioner Woods sought to stop the IN
vestigaton.
Both officials publicly stated that 10
prevent the police az that time from
continuing the telephone eavesdroppng
would result in defeating an investlga-
ton that had for its purpose disclos-
ures Of the greatest value 70 the Fed
ersl Administration.
Sought to Protect Nation
Those who jeered that Woods and
Mitchell by such statements were only
endeavoring 20 save themselves from
political suicide were unaware that a.
that moment "A policeman was in all
probability listening in on converse
ton which. when reported 20 the Sc
cret Service agents. sent them scurry-
ing 20 the meeting place Of plotteis
against the peace of this country one
high official at Headquarters said yes
terday.
The work OF the Police Departments
vire-tapping squad developed the fact
hat agents Of the governments plot
ting against this country were avoiding
Washington, and for the most part
holding their conferences here.
The police learned that certain Ger
man interests were constantly IN touch
with men Of anti-American affiliations
IN Mexico. They learned, also. that
men in various cities in the East who
we're known 70 have influence with an
other foreign country. which is under
stood 70 be Japan, were approached by
Mexican and German agents with prop
ositions in which il was thought Japan
would be interested All Of the propo-
sitions and conferences, IL is said. mad
Tor their object the embroiling of the
United States.
The appeals Of Mayor Mitchell and
Commissioner Woods for confidence on
the part Of the public went unheeded.
and the overlapping inquiry was
pushed until the entire system. even 20
me location Of the quarters used foi
me work, was exposed.
New Campaign Begun
When the agitation died, IT was said
yesterday, the work Of the neutrality
squad was recommended. 1t was then
round that the suspects had prohted
oy the disclosure of the probe. II was
necessary 20 begin all over again. The
proportion was put up 70 Scull 70
IND way out
lhe wireless equipment on the roof
o. Police Headquarters was put on Al
'mcient basis. II was intimsted yer
terday that since then there have beer
estaolished four or five sub-station-
"a various parts Of the greater city.
what methods SculI pursued remain
MS secret and that Of Commissioner
Woods and members Of the neutrality
..q1so 10 IL known. however. that tn"
,ssas he got sent members Of his stat
% various parts Of the country and
.yfnished the Secret Service men with
ne missing links many Of their
piot Investigations.
II developed that the Mexican stu
S@on that first claimed the attention
~ me police was soon 20 be eclipsed
greater international situation.
Hhere before The police were in pos
fesion OF Information regarding con
-efshcss Of certain groups o. Mex.
ans. they were now Learning that
p,ffnAny vas eyincinR an unexplained
interest N the Mexican situation.
Plot Of Nations Grows
Much Of the police information waa
N me form % appointments, etc. but
vas enough 70 set the Secret Ser-
zee on edge. Only a short time later
nc ponce we're amazed % find that tho
rope OF the plot rad been enlarged