New-York tribune., 1917-06-24

West 127th Street, next door 20 the
scene Of the murder, was dug up. and
when nothing Of importance was re-
vealed the diggers turned their atten-
tion TO the cellar of a house which
was burned down last November TEe
house stood in the rear Of Cocchi's BIZ
cycle shop. The search was unproduc-
tive.
Several witnesses. in addition 10
Mrs. Cocchi were examined by As
sistant District Attorney Doolirg.
Perry Pruden, employed by the Con-
sOlidated Gas Company as a meter in
spector, said he had visited Cocchi's
chop on either February Is or rs and
had found the place locked George
d. Hurst, also employed by the gas
company as interpreter, testified that
he had also failed to gain admittarce
10 the shop at later dates. Anotfc~
ras meter inspector. who called at the
shop prior TO February H. is being
-ought by Mr.. Dooling. This man has
since Joined the United States navy;
ne will be produced
Harry Hitchcock, proprietor Of the
Olympic Garage, 52S West 127th
Street. next door to Cocchi's shop. was
a witness. He testified that the bicycle
shop had been closed from . p. m.
on February 13 until it was afterward
opened for business by John Anker-
mann. the boy who was called By Mrs.
Cocchi to take care of the store after
her husband disappeared. lie told of
the visits of policemen to mis- garage
in search of information regarding
! Cocchi.
Girls Father Examined
Henry D. Cruger, father Of the
murdered girl. was privately examined
yesterday by Commissioner Wallstein.
| He will be examined publicly to-mor-
row. He told Mr.. Wallstein that his
/ daughter. Helen Cruger, the murdered
| girls sister. had visited Cocchi's shop
four times on the morning Of February
IA IN an endeavor TO learn what had
/ become of her. When Ruth Cruger
/ failed to return home her sister. Mr..
Cruger said, went 70 the Notlek Skat-
ing rink. at l2Oth Street and Riverside
Drive, thinking that she might have
gone there 70 have her skates sharp
ened.
She was told that Ruth Cruger had
not been there. She then visited
COcchi's shop in her search for in
I a.
went there the first time. she found
the shop door locked. She returned
20 the store at 10;30, 1880 and 1890.
and on each occasion was unable TO
gain admittance. At 1880 p. m. she
again went to the shop and hammered
on the door. Cocchi then appeared
and in reply to her questions said that
he had sharpened a pair Of skates
rrrl 80
description on the previous dav. that
the girl had left and that he had no
further knowledge of her
This testimony corroborates that Of
the gas company employees.
To Suspend More Policemen
While 10 further revelations Of po-
lice irregularities were announced YES
terday. II IS known that evidence Of a
widespread graft system" was uncov-
cred by police Investigators acting un-
der orders Of Commissioner Woods.
Wholesale suspensions from the motor
cycle squad, II was authoritatIvely
stated. will be announced tomorrow.
There are thirty patrolmen and two
serReants IN the squad. IL Il known
that az least twelve men will be re-
licvcd from duty tomorrow. in addi-
ton 70 the four recently suspended
following revelations Of petty graft. in
which Cocchi is declared TO have
shared.
Developments in the political phase
Of the Cruger case yesterday included
the declaration Of Assistant District
Attorney Dooling that on a recent visit
20 Fort Lee, y. j., in connection with
the murder. he had been shadowed by
members Of the Police Department. Mr.
Dooling declared also that he and his
colleagues in the District Attorneys
Office had been hindered and embar-
rasscd by mysterious clicking on
the telephone wires which run into the
Criminal Courts Building whenever
they were engaged IN telephone con
versations in connection with the Cru
ger case.
Persons desiring 70 call the District
Attorneys Office, he declared. had found
great difficulty in getting telephone
connection Mr.. Dooling's impression,
he said was that the telephone wires
running into the building were being
tapped"