New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-26

Testimony reaching direct TO Police
Headquarters was given yesterday by
Miss Helen Cruger, sister of Ruth
Cruger, before Leonard NJ. Wallstein,
Commissioner of Accounts, who is in
vestigating the laxity OF the police. She
said she had gone directly TO Inspector
Faurot with her story three days after
Ruth disappeared.
Miss Helen, a wholesome girl, barely
twenty, told the simple story Of her
anxiety over the disappearance Of her
sister, and how she had sought 70 find
her from the day following her dissp-
pearsnce until her body had been
found in Cocchi's cellar.
Told Detectives of Suspicious
As early as June Is, two days after
the murdered girl disappeared. she
communicated her suspicious of Cocchl
and her conversation with him relative
10 Ruth's disappearance to Detective
Lagsrenne, who secuted any suspicion
of the Italian and regarded HIM as
reputable man.
IL was Commissioner Wallstein's last
question that brought forth the dec
laration that on February 10, three
DAYS after Ruth was murdered, heien
had gone to Inspector taurot, cnlel oil
the Detective Bureau. with a letter
from Douglas !. Mckay, former Police
Commissioner, who explained her ms,
sion and asked that she be accorded
special consideration.
al
search, relative 10 your communication
with the police. that you have not told
r,e?' asked Commissioner Wallstein.
did you consult any one in the De
tective Bureau other than the men Of
the Fourth Branch %
YES went 70 the head Of the De
tive Bureau on February l6, 1871,
with a letter from Douglas !. Mckay,
she answered.
She produced the letter, which asked
that Faurot give some attention TO the
case.
Miss Cruger then related how she had
gone 70 Police Headquarters al noon on
February l6, accompanied by Frederick
Ewing at whose solicitation Mr.. Mckay
had written the letter. They asked for
Inspector Faurot.
Faurot Out at the Time
Did you see Inspector Faurot ,"
asked Mr.. Wallstein.
NO; ne was not in az the time"
said Miss Cruger They told me he
was out, but | talked with some one
who represented him"
She was unable 20 describe hin and
did not know his name, but &c Illed
that he was addressed az lieutenant.
did you tell him anything
81 told this lieutenant the whole story
Of Ru,hs disappearance, responded
Miss Cruger. 81 explained 70 him dis
tinctly that the case Of my sister was
not one OF the cases OF missing girls
who had gone away with some one.
This was based upon the knowledge |
had of my sisters character. You see.
the attitude OF the police had always
been that this case was one Of the Gus
tomary kind. Also, told him in detail
Of my visits 10 Coechi's shop and Of my
conversation with Cocchi when finally
got into the place. at 2:30 p. m. on
February IA
Miss Cruger was unable 20 recall
what the, lieutenant had said TO her
and was excused for the day. In ad-
journing the investigation until to-day
a. 1890 a. m, Commissioner Wallstein
informed Miss Cruger that he might
call upon her again 70 testify.
Henry d. Cruger. father OF the dead
girl. told in detail how he and his wife
we're informed over the telephone IN
Boston, al 7 ?. m, February -, By Al
fred ". Brown, his business associate,
Of Ru,h's dissppearance. This was the
day she disappeared. There were four
separate conversations between New
York and Boston. he said and he and
Mrs. Cruger arrived a. their home IN
N. forenoon Of February r.
He repeated the suspicious Of the
family; the investigation made By his
daughter. Helen. al the Cocchi shop,
and her talk with the Italian machinist.
and declared that he went 20 the Fourth
Branch Detective Burenu and asked
for search not only Of the Cocchi
shop, bu. Of the old ramshackle build
ings and vacant lots around 10.
u said 70 Detective Lsgercnne." tes-