STRANGE STORIES FROM THE AMERICAN PAPERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 193, 14 August 1909, Page 15

STRANGE STORIES FROM THE AMERICAN PAPERS.

REFINEMENTS OF CRUELTY. According to statements published in reputable American newspapers, refinements of cruelty are sometimes employed against suspects; for example, their bread is salted, and they are then refused water, or an electric "tapper" operates for hours on a sheet of glass just outside the dark cell. Last year at Newark, New Jersey, a man accused of murder was kept sleepless for three days, and compelled to put on the blood-stained clothing of tho victim. This Induced a confession which was afterwards proved to be false. After a Chicago murder some years ago the corpse was carried to a vault and placed lv a sitting posture, the right arm and hand beiug propped up in such a manner that the index finger pointed directly at the face of any person entering the vault. Suspecting persons were then made to confront the accusing finger of the dead man, and were watched for signs of nervous collapse. There are occasional newspaper protests against these and similar barbarities, which are, of course, utterly unwarranted by either law or Justice, but It seems to be nobody's Business to interfere. STRUGGLE ON A LEDGE. In the "skyscraper" district of Broadway recently the thrilling spectacle was witnessed of a detective and a burglar locked In a deadly embrace on a coping ten floors high. The criminal had challenged the officer to follow him as he attempted a perilous escape. Stepping on the coping, the detective caught the fugitive, aud for several moments the two struggled desperately In full view of the crowds below. At the height of the excitement, when It seemed inevitable that one of the two would be flung to the pavement, a shot rang out, and the burglar sank helpless lv the arms of his captor. The prisoner, with a bullet in the thigh, was carried to the hospital, where he was Identified as George Clayton, a well-known criminal. TOLICE LAWBREAKING. After investigation lasting several weeks, the Mayor of New York ou June 30 issued a report which lv effect denounces the police administration of -the metropolis as a corporation which systematic-ally violates the law. The report _?s created a profound impression. The Mayor took action as the result of a letter from Mr. Justice Gaynor, the man who Imprisoned "Boss" McKane for contempt of Court. Mr. Gaynor took up arms ou behalf of a young Brooklyn man named Duffy, the sou of respectable parents, whose portrait was Illegally placed in the "rogues' gallery," and who was repeatedly arrested aud molested by the police. The Mayor now takes the police administration under his own control, and peremptorily orders General Bingham, the Commissioner of Police, to dismiss his secretary, Mr. Slattery, and the Deputy-Com-missioner, Mr. Hanson, and to appoint Inspector Kelly and another in their places. The resignation of General Bingham is now considered inevitable. £4,000,000 A YEAR LOST BY SMUGGLED FINERY. The New York Customs authorities are conducting a drastic campaign agalust 6mog glers, and unusually severe sentences were imposed on June 2-1 on "three' culprits. Mr G. C. White, the head of a large millinery establishment, was sentenced to two years' ImprUoumeut for evading the payment of duties ou thousands ofj pounds' worth of dress materials. Mr William H. Kllgaunon, who was convicted of a similar evasion of the law, was sent to gaol for a year, while his wife was lined £1000. The authorities estimate that the Government Is robbed of at least £4,000,000 annually through the organised smuggling of women's apparel Into the port of New York, principally by agents of the large dressmaking establishments. Secret service agents have been working for months lv Pails and London securing evidence against the principal offenders, and It Is probable that other arrests will follow. EXTRAORDINARY ROBBERY CASE. A remarkable ease Is reported from Du. luth, Minnesota, in which a widow named Mrs Siiea reported to the police that she had been robbed of £4000 in bills, which she had hidden In her bedroom.. No success having attended the first Investigations by the police, a reward was Issued, but about the middle of June, Mrs Shea received a letter covering bills amounting to £3000, with the explanation that the thieves stole the money to furnish a house, but finding that they could do it ou £1000, they had decided to restore the balance to Its rightful owner.