New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-19
Wilson, Swann's
Witness, Turns
On Prosecutor
Confesses He Swore False
ly Against Breckinridge,
Says His Lawyer

Albert L. Wilson, who was released
from the Tombs under $4,000 bail
through the assistance Of District At
torney Swami, popped back into the
Tombs again yesterday with the
alacrity of a nervous prairie dog. He
declared his intention of retaining as
counsel John X. Clark, who was ssso-
ciate counsel for the City Club in
pressing the charges against the Dis
trict Attorney, and said he might have
a statement tomorrow which would
make sensational reading"
81 haven't the remotest idea what it
means" said Mr.. Swami last night
when informed that his witness
against Lucien S. Breckenridge in the
matter of the alleged brides offered by
cloakmakers had surrendered himself
and been committed by Judge Null
queen in General es'ions.
The sudden shift in position of the
District Attorneys witness was more
comprehensive to MIR. Clark, who sent
the following explanation to The Trib-
une by wire:
Wilson has made complete state
ment charging District Attorneys Office
induced him give testimony falsely
against Breckenridge and in favor of
Swami"
Insists on Showdown"
Wilson said that men from the Dis
trict Attorneys Office had Swallowed
him continually. He was tired of the
whole affair, he averred, and had re-
solved upon Showdown"
Max Hart, Tammany politician in a
small way, whose wife, Freda, pro-
vided bail for Wilson, advised him to
surrender himself, Wilson said. Hart
visited the Office of the Clerk of Cen
eral Sessions on the matter last week,
il is said, but the signature of his wife
was missing from the surrender
papers, so nothing was accomplished.
Wilson refused TO say whether he in
tended TO withdraw the statements he
made about MIR. Breckenridge. and de-
clared he would make no further eX-
PLANTATION until he had consulted with
his attorney.
When seen in the Tombs Wilson was
anxious to remove any impression of
certainty he might have given when he
told Judge Mulqueen that he intended
to retain Mr.. Clark.
Don't say definitely that he will
represent me-" said Wilson. "a friend
Of mine stopped me as ! was on my
way to Judge Muloueen's chambers
and suggested Clark's name TO me,
that is all So when | was before the
Judge / mentioned his name
Wilson's life since Martin w. Little
ton. counsel for MIR. Breckenridge, dis
covered him in Connecticut, has been
almost as lively as that of certain I'm
ternational spies" Mr. Littleton per-
suaded him to come TO New York as a
witness for his client, who was then
under the FIRE of the District Attorney
because his letter of resignation rs
special counsel to prosecute cases arls-
ing from he cloak strike accused Mr..
Swami Of an intention 10 have those
cases dismissed.
Upon MS arrival in New York vii
son was committed as a material WIT
ness in default of $1,000 bail Al the
request of District Attorney Swami.
The bail was furnished and few days
later Wilson disappeared. He re-
turned with story of kidnappers who
had posed as detectives and lured him
TO Yonkers. Mr.. Littleton made no
bones of accusing tho District Attor-
ney OF inspiring the kidnapping.
Mr. Swans Immediately had Wilson
sent 10 the Tombs again, the bail this
time being $4,000. Within a week II
was discovered that the $4,000 bail
had been furnished by Mrs. Hart, the
arrangements having been made by
John T. Dooling, Assistant District At
torney. Coincidentally, it was an
no1nced that Wilson had renowned
Mr.. Breckenridge and all his counsel
and was now a witness for the Dis
trict Attorney He has been free since
January II.