New-York tribune., 1920-03-17
Vice Witnesses
Have Vanished:
Inquiry Halted
Smith Blames ssSlush FUND.-
for Mysterious Disappear
ance of Those Who Were
to Testify About Graft
Bank Deposits Studied
Detectives Said To Be I'm.
willing to Cooperate With
District Attorneys Office

The grand jury was all ready yes
terday to begin investigation Of the
alleged vice graft conspiracy in the
Police Department when James f.
Smith, Assistant District Attorney,
asked to be excused for a minute to
get witnesses he had promised to
bring before that body. He returned,
registering dismay and confusion, to
announce he could not find them.
The men behind the slush fund.-" it
was proclaimed, had spirited them
away. 1t has been charged that this
slusl fund was created to protect any
member of the Police Department who
might be indicted because Of the vice
investigation.
Immediately thereafter the corridors
OF the Criminal Courts Building wore
filled with the turmoil of detectives at
tached to the District Attorneys office
VINO were rushing out to retrieve the
vanished witnesses.
Assistant District Attorney Smith
was confident last night that his wit
nesses eventually will be found and
that other important witnesses whom
he either has summoned or expects to
summon will likewise appear. 1t was
declared at his Office that because of
his inability to cooperate with detec-
tlves of the Police Department in the
vice investigation he would accept the
services of detectives offered him by
outside organizations. Detectives at
tached to the Police Department.. it
has developed, are not eager to help
IN the crusade against vice grafters
possibly involving members of the
force.
Records obtained by Mr.. Smith
showed, he said, that two high officers
IN the department. during the wear
have made large deposits in banks dis
proportienate to their salaries. One
showed deposits Of $4,000 by one officer
IN one bank alone, one deposit being
$500. 1t is understood that both Of
these officers will be summoned before
the grand jury and asked to explain
the transactions and the source Of
their finances.
The District Attorneys office heard
with interest yesterday Of the affirma-
ton by the Court of Appeals of the con-
vlctlon OF Joseph Shenk and William
Glaser, indicted January 26, 1915, on
the charge Of running a disorderly
house at 81 West 1o7th Street. Shenii
was the owner and Chaser acted as his
superintendent. Both men were tried
before Judge Mulqueen in General Ses-
slons and sentenced to one year each
IN the penitentiary on May 20, 1916. Mr..
Smith was the prosecutor. Both ap-
pealcd, but the Appellate Division sus-
tained the conviction, which has now
been confirmed by the Court of Appeals.
At the time of his original trial it
was shown in court that Shenk con-
trolled 1875 houses, twelve Of which he
owned, the others being leased. He re-
ceived more than $1,0O0,OOO a year in
rentals, and his yearly pay roll amounted
to 100000.
Mr.: Smith said that he intended to
use the action of the Court of Appeals
"Application will be made imme-
diately," said Mr. Smith, "for bench
warrant for both men, SO that they can
be taken to the penitentiary as soon as
possible"
Mr.. Smith announced that he was
preparing for the trials of Detective
} ohm j. Gunson, of the 4th Inspection
District, commanded by Inspector
Dominick Henry, and Detective Fred
erlck f. Franklin, of the 5th Inspection
District, commanded by Inspector I'm
dcrhill, the two detectives indicted bv
the grand jury on the charge of extor-
ton and bribery in grating on women.
Gunson's trial, Mr.. Smith said. would
begin about March 80. 1t has been set
for March IS by Judge Malone in Cen
erai Sessions, but it is expected that
preliminary motions and other techni
calltles will make it impossible to be-
gin the actual trial before March 30
Franklin's trial, Mr.. Smith said
would begin in about three weeks.
Franklin, who was arrested Monday
night, was held yesterday in $1,000
bail f'