Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-06-26
OF COCCHI
BRINGS POLICE SCANDAL
More Than a Dozen Motorcy-
Gle Policemen Suspended
by New York Head

NEW YORK, June 23.-Simultane-
ously with the news from Rome today
that Alfredo Cocchi had confessed the
murder of Ruth Cruger, il was reported
on high authority that at least a doz-
en- more motorcycle policemen would
be suspended as an outgrowth of the
case.
The investigation begun by Inspector
Faurot at the direction of Police Com
missioner Woods, il was said tonight
already had disclosed certain alleged
irregular practices by motorcycle po-
licemen which substantiate a belief
that motorists have been victims of
petty graft through falsified records Of
summons and arrests for speeding and
other traffic violations. Cocchi is be-
lieved to have been a go-hetween for
the patrolmen in many of these trans
actions.
Cocchi's confession will not hinder
the investigation of the police handling
Of the case which Mayor Mitchell di-
rected Leonard NJ. Wallstein, commits
sioner Of accounts, to institute, it was
declared.
"Cocchi's confession removes what
ever possible doubt there may have
been that he was the murderer" the
commissioner said. land makes il all
the more important to find out why the
body was not found and why Cocchi
was permitted 10 escape"
Cocchi had many friends among the
police il has been brought out, espe-
cially in the motorcycle squad. and his
confession, il is believed may be fol-
lowed by other disclosures such as the
naming Of accomplices or those who
helped. him flee to Italy.
eafd ha
is particularly eager to find out If
Cocchi had accomplices and If he had
confessed about his dealings with po-
licemen.
After Mrs. Cocchi had been question
ed in the district attorneys office for
more than two hours, II was announc-
ed she had given material help" to the
authorities. She told the district attor-
ney, il was stated, that twice since her
husbands disappearance, the street
door leading to the cellar had been
found open after she had locked It,
Henry D. Cruger, father of the muir
dered girl, and Mrs. Grace Humiston,
who found the body. will be witnesses
before Commissioner Wsllstein Mon
day when the public hearing is resum-
ed.
Mrs. Maria Cocchi late today turned
against Cocchi and told the district at
torney all she knows about him.
Mrs. Cocchfs story, detailed under
the stress of great excitement and last
ing four hours in the telling, put the
missing private detective, Edward
Fish, in a less favorable light than he
has been at any time since his name
was mentioned in the case.
The little italian woman interrupted
a recitation of her husbands love af-
fairs and an deliberately detailed state
ment of his movements on the date or
the Cruger girls disappearance to say
that Fish had begged her to let him
stay in the bicycle shop alone AFTER
Cocchi ran away to Italy.
Mrs. Grace Humiston, the womansw no
found Ruth's body, expressed the be-
lief that now -Cocchi has confessed,
other persons will be implicated in the
case
Efforts of Mrs. Humiston, the police
and the district attorney were tonight
concentrated on the effort to have Coo
chi returned here to be punished Tor
murder.