New-York tribune., 1920-05-12
Vice Witness
Says He Paid
$1,000 to Henry
Hotel Proprietor Declares
Money Was Given for Aid
in Obtaining Lease and
in Nowise for Protection
Place Raided by Police
Dclenne Tells of Patrolman
Being Withdrawn After
He Visited the Inspector

Ferdinand Delenne, former propre-
tor of hotel which was the scene of
TWO vice raids, yesterday told the jury
trying former Police Inspector Dom
7nick Henry, charged with neglect Of
duty. that he had paid Henry $1,000.
The witness insisted, however, that the
money was in payment for the inspect
or's services in helping him get ten
year lease or the hotel and in no wise
for "protection.'
Delenne said he first met Henry on a
visit the inspector made to the Parisen,
a French restaurant that Dclenne con-
Quoted In July, 1918, he continued.
he sought Henry's advice about pur-
chasing the Van Cortlandt Hotel, 143
West Forty-ninth Street. The owner of
the place wanted 100000. Inspector
Henry, according to the witness, ad-
vised against buying the hotel, telling
him it bore a bad reputation and he
was considering closing it.
Delenne Buys Hotel
The Van Cortlandt went into the
hands of receiver and in October,
1918. Delenne bought it at q court sale
for S32 900 and changed the name to
weeks later he called on Henry at the
West Sixty-eighth Street Police Station
and told him of what he had done.
"Inspector Henry" the witness re-
sumed. gave me list of twenty guests
Of the hotel he said were disreputable
and | immedia~ ~.ly put them out"
Late one night in February. 1919.
Assistant District Attorney Smith drew
from Delenne, he returned with his
wife from the theater and found a
uniformed policeman on duty in the
lobby. He learned that detectives had
taken a woman out of one of the rooms
earlier in the evening.
Delenne related that he went at once
to Inspector oil 1enrys home where he
met him at 2:30 a. m. Two hours
later, he said, the policeman was or
dered away from the hotel
Made Partial Payments
When did you next see Henry ?"
asked Mr.. Smith.
1T was either in May or June, 1919"
Delenne answered.. "at the West Sixty
eighth Street station"
What did you go to see him about? ?"
II told him | wanted to get my lease
extended to ten wars and asked him
if he could aid me-
What did Henry say?"
He told me he knew Mr.. Ahern,
owner of the property, very we'll, and
that he would see what he could do"
What did you say to that?'
II said to Inspector Henry: If you
get this lease renewed for me I will
give you $1,000"
Did you get the Lease"
Yes, | got lease for ten years"
Did you give Henry the 81 ,0O0?"
II gave him ST. 900 in payments ex-
tending over four or five months. The
last was paid in November, 1919"
Shortly after the last alleged pay
ment the Hotel de France was raided
again, and Florence Hartig was ar
rested. On this occasion, Delenne testi-
lied, the uniformed man was not placed
IN the lobby but-in the room the girl
had occupied.
Did not that fact indicate you had
given Henry money for protection ~
the prosecutor demanded
Il never gave the Inspector money for
protection" the witness retorted. "He
would not have accepted it, He was too
honorable a man"
Henry Visited His Home
Delenne admitted Henry had visited
his home at Hollis, L. |. On one occa-
sion. he said, William t. Murphy, who
is associated with W. Bourke Cochran
as Henry's counsel, accompanied him
The hotel man objected at one point
during his testimony to the loud voice
IN which Mr.. Smith questioned him.
You can't bulldoze me-" Delennt
shouted. I'm gentleman"
Asked why Henry and Murphy hat
gone to Hollis, Delenne said to heal
"a wonderful twelve-y yearold gir
violinist"
why couldn't they hear her at tn,
Hotel de France?' inquired Mr.. Smith
Don't respectable people 90 there"
I've. seen YOU there Delenne re
sponded.
There was a subdued buzz in tn,
courtroom at this, causing Judg,
Malone to rap for order. The AS
sistant District Attorney appeared
quite unrufi1ed. Dclenne said he sole
the hotel last January for S65,OOO.
Four men Of Chief Inspector DAILY
headquarters division and ten at
tached to Inspector McDonald's spe
cial service squad, who made vice ar
rests in the 4th District durin.
Henry's regime, were put on tn,
stand Yesterday
Their testimony was in general
repetition of that given by Daly's mel
on Monday Up to the time cour
adjourned yesterday the prosecutio,
had got into the record the detail
of seventy-seven convictions. Their,
an forty-three more mentioned in tn,
indictment.
Trailed by Toothpcks
There was an occasional out Of tn,
ordinary touch in the sordid mar
ratVes these professional trackers O
the women Of the night told.
Patroman David J. Gandolh relate
how he and Sergeant John c. Nicola
mad borrowed from the Army lntelli
Gence Bureau a Corporal George Rob
crts. 1t was Corporal Roberts's par,
1t appeared. to 90 about the tenderioi1
and be picked up" Gapdolf an,
Nlcolay would follow the soldier an
his woman companion at discree
distance and note the house they en-
tered After waiting outside for fifteel
or twenty minutes they would ente
end find trail of toothpicks, droppe,
by Roberts, which led them to the girl
apartment.
Patrolman Ferdinand H. Tobinka tes
'ided he arrested woman July II
I919, in room in the Argonne Hotel
l35 West Forty Street
who conducted the hotel?" Tokink
was asked.
The Salvation Army" he said
TaXicab rides, dinners and expensiv,
penses" were paid for with lavish hand
q