New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-15
Detectives Took Money
They Raised to Albany
Three Days Before Lusk
offered Bill, 1t Is Said
Got $4,000 Back
After Mayors Veto
Three Officers Denoted
Following Expose; C. S.
Shotwell Tells of Loan

These were the developments yester-
d.y in the investigation conducted by
Commissioner of Accounts Hirshfield
into the slush fund raised by detec-
.yes to grease the ways for legisla-
ton giving them bomb proof berths for
Life and increased salaries:
I. Testimony of Detective Sergeant
Thomas J Finn revealed that officers of
the Detective Endowment Association
we're present when Finn and other de-
tsctises raised $4,000 for lobbying
purposes.
2 This money was raised on April
|. The $4,000 was taken to Albany
oa oaApril 5, it was said. Two days later
Senator Clayton R. Lusk, of Cortland,
majority leader, introduced the bill Civ
ing the detectives permanency of rank
and increased salaries which had been
sbandoned month before by Senator
c. Ernest Smith, of Staten Island.
8. Detectives testified that when de-
mand was made on Jack Kleist, the al
legged lobbyist to whom they testified
they paid the $4,000, after the bill
was vetoed by the Mayor, he returned
them q certified check for 50, 900, which
they had given him, but kept the 5000
cash ~'~ON
4. Three of the detectives who par
ticipated in raising the $4,000, two of
whom are said to have carried the
money to Albany, were denoted by
Deputy Police Commissioner Lahey.
following the publication yesterday of
the facts in the case.
Lusk Not at His Office
Senator Lusk could not be found yes
terdsy at his Office which he recently
opened in partnership with Samuel
berger, associate counsel for the legis-
lasiye graft investigating committee.
At his hotel it was said he did not
answer the telephone.
At the Office of Jack Kleist il was
said he was out of town.
Senator c. Ernest Smith, who intro
tueed the bill which was later spon-
sored and passed by Senator Lusk, said
lest night:
"The detectives did not 60 to Albany
.!!o'lobby for my bill, because | aban-
'eoned 1t month before they made their
appearance at the Capitol. The bill was
Hshoed to me as prize package.
Wnen learned what was in it, through
representatives of the Patrolmen's
Benevolent Association and other or
ga1lzatlons of uniformed men in the
roMce Department, and that it espe-
eaily violated the principles of civil
service, l washed my hands of it."
senator Schuyler M. Meyer, chairman
o. the graft investigating committee
displayed keen interest in Yesterdays
revelations. Senator Meyer said:
-, we are watching Commissioner
hirshfeld's investigation of the de-
teetlve bill slush fund with consider
aOle interest. l would suggest that he
turn over his testimony to the district
aattorneys OF New York County and AL
oany County. l shall see to it tha1
shere Is no whitewashing of any of the
persons involved"
me manner in which the detectives
.aiseu the money showed that it is an
Easy Easy tning for policeman in a soft
peltn to raise thousands from bust
ness men without any bother.
Charles S. Shotwell, a merchandise
proKer, with Offices at 522 Fifth Ave
nue, VINO lent the detectives sc, 900. said
yesterday: '0''' '''i"
~ Is too bad that my name has been
Jagged INTO this thing. because it will
maze make me look like a sucker to NV
ba,f trends: | have received only $500
PACK OF the money l loaned. However.
-, can console myself with the thought
saas l nave suits pending for the re-
eovery OF the other So 500, which is Sc
sucea by two notes of $4,000 each.n
oommissioner Hirshfield Yesterday
,ase; maae public a transcript of the sworn
ws,.imony of one of the detectives in
tsnt;' ttu,vea' Thomas j. Finn, who was a de-
s;ssta issive sergeant at the West Sixty
''en'h street station until yesterday.
tContIuued on mana sIx.