New-York tribune., 1917-06-29

said case had not IN fact been en-
tered in said daily record, and failed
/ thereupon 20 enter same in said daily
record
The most dramatic incident in Mr.
Walsten's hearing yesterday came
when Detective Sergeant Francis Nc
Gee. riveting his eyes upon Com
missioner Leonard NJ Wallstein, de-
clared that he had done his duty and
had nothing to apologize for before
God or man.
McGee was on the grill for nearly
four hours, He is a big, rugged man
OF about forty-fve years. with an non
est. ruddy face. At the end of his
ordeal he was on the verge Of tears. He
was unable TO say g word in response
10 Commissioner Wallstein's declara-
ton that he believed he was an "hon-
est. hard working cop"
Maybe ! have not done all ! should
have done" said McGeo, when Mr..
Wallstein asked him if he did not think
he should be brought up on charges
for things he had left undone and un-
observed. But my mistakes were
human mistakes that any man might
have made. They were mistakes, and !
made them. But let me say. Comis-
sioner, that the finding Of Ruth Cru
gers body was due 70 my theories and
ideas. II was my idea to dig that cell
lar.
ASK Mrs. Humiston, and she will tell
you that it was ! who urged her TO
dig. dig. dig. dug early in the game
when the cellar was hard and frozen
and there was nothing 10 show that the
earth in certain places was recently
removed.
"In the spring the earth around the
vaults that ! had early examined had
J softened ! found the cement had
: broken off. and I thought that digging
around that cellar was worth following
, up. where sounded and found solid
earth before, now found soft"
, Admits Cocchi Fooled Him
=: NcGeo admitted Cocchi had fooled
hir. From the moment the machinist
u nal disappeared. he said. he suspected
that ho Was connected with the dicap-
pcaraucc OF Ruth Crugcr MOTORCYCLE
= policemen Rad told him about the 'nc
qualities Of al" ,Cocchl. bu; thcy
made no impression upon him, he said
! i've worked on things like this for
! thirty years, Mr.. Commissioner" said
! Niece earnestly. 81 have had lot OF
experience. But apparently w4s mis-
taken in Cocchi. When Cocchi failed to
d run away anG had told about Ruth
: Cruger leaving his shop. was not then
suspicious Of him. L. was only when
he disappeared and his wife reported
= his disappearance that began 20 CON
4. meet him with the crime. ! am the
, one who held out continuously after
! that that Cocchi either killed the girl
or was participant in the murder"
Commissioner Wallstoin then asked
Niece if ne had examined the shop
for implements Of crime weapons such
. as might have been used in killing
Failed TO Make Thorough Search
81 might have made more careful
81 search said Niece, "but | was not
/ convinced that the murder was commit
ted IN the mop"
Niece did not answer several qucs-
8 tiors directly, and Commissioner Wall
stein lost patience with him. Near the
finish Of the grilling, the commissioner
was severe IN tone. Leaning over tho
table. his iacc close TO that Of the wit
ness. Mr. Wallstcin said: Sergeant. Is
. thcrc any reason why ! should not max,
Il cEarge/ OF negligence against YOU 90
McGct could hardly speak.
"As a point Of law, yes" he faltertd.
According to the rules Of the depart
ment. no.
as there any real reason?'
: II don't believe there is. Commis-
sioner."
Here the Commissioners voice soft
ened. "I'll be frank with you. ser
gcant," he said. "Your testimony gives
d me the impression that you are an
honest, hard working cop. ! think YOU
are. You are excused for the day"
LAUNDERING Indifference Proved
During the forenoon Commissioner
] Walls'cin examined Licutcrants Ben
noil. Stainknmp and Flannelly, through
whose hands passed the report Of Ruth
} Crugcr's disappearance. The testimony
: substautiatod previous evidence that
blundering indifference, rivetcd down
By departmental custom and the cal
lousncss OF routine. prevailed at the
Fourth Branch Bureau and that the
Crugcr.case was no exception.