Frank Moss (lawyer)
Encyclopedia
Frank Moss was an American lawyer, reformer and author. He was involved in many of the reform movements in New York City
shortly before the turn of the century
up until his death. As a longtime assistant to District Attorney Charles S. Whitman
, he was involved in several high-profile criminal cases such as the Rosenthal murder trial in which police detective Charles Becker
was found guilty of murder and executed.
in 1860 and moved to New York City
as a child. Attending New York City College, he became involved in "vice crusades" and other reform movements while studying to pass the bar. Early in his legal career, he held important positions such as president of the City Vigilance League and president of the Society for the Prevention of Crime. He was also a member of the Union League Club and Republican Club.
While council for Dr. Charles H. Parkhurst, Moss helped police in closing down gambling dens belonging to the On Leong Tong
in Chinatown
. Much of the information was supplied by Mock Duck
, a rival underworld figure of Tom Lee
and the On Leongs, and who quickly assumed control of these establishments after they were closed. In appreciation, Mock Duck
replaced the traditional joss
in the Hip Sing Tong House with a crayon portrait of Moss.
Moss first came to prominence during the Lexow
and Mazet investigations, as an associate and chief council respectively, where he established himself as an aggressive prosecutor and investigator. While cross-examining Tammany Hall
leader Richard Croker
during the Mazet inquiry, Moss was able to provoke him into stating the now famous statement admitting his corruption "I am working for my pocket all the time, just like you, Mr. Moss".
In 1897, he succeeded Theodore Roosevelt
as president of the Board of Police Commissioners
. In 1901, during Seth Low
and William Travers Jerome
's campaign against the city's red light districts, Moss famously addressed the court in a speech blaming Croker for the existence of white slavery
and forced prostitution
. He and Jerome became close friends after the trial, Moss working tirelessly on the case to the point of exhaustion, however the two would later have a falling out when the two noted attorneys faced each other during the trial of John M. Wisker in 1902.
In the fall of 1909, Moss was unexpectedly chosen by District Attorney Charles S. Whitman
to become his first assistant. Although Moss was a Republican, he was not a particular favorite of machine politics
and Herbert Parsons
, political boss
of New York County, was reportedly displeased with his appointment. While under Whitman, Moss successfully prosecuted the four members of the Lenox Avenue Gang
accused of murdering gambler Herman Rosenthal. It was partly on evidence gained at this trial that he was able to greatly assist Whitman in proving that police detective Charles Becker
hired the four gunmen to kill Rosenthal resulting in his conviction and execution.
A devout churchgoer, Moss was an active member of the congregation of St. James Methodist Episcopal Church. He served on the board of directors for the New York Church Extension Society for a number of years and his son, Reverend Arthur Moss, was on the Board of Foreign Missions of the Methodist Church. In November 1919, Moss underwent surgery at Roosevelt Hospital and suffered a relapse four months later from which he would never fully recover. In poor health for the last few months of his life, he died of heart disease at his East 127th Street home on the night of June 5, 1920. He was survived by his wife Elva E. Bruce and his two children Arthur and Elizabeth Moss.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
shortly before the turn of the century
Turn of the century
Turn of the century, in its broadest sense, refers to the transition from one century to another. The term is most often used to indicate a non-specific time period either before or after the beginning of a century....
up until his death. As a longtime assistant to District Attorney Charles S. Whitman
Charles S. Whitman
Charles Seymour Whitman served as the 41st Governor of New York from January 1915 to December 1918. He was also a delegate to Republican National Convention from New York in 1916.-Biography:...
, he was involved in several high-profile criminal cases such as the Rosenthal murder trial in which police detective Charles Becker
Charles Becker
Charles Becker was a New York City police officer in the 1890s-1910s and who was tried, convicted and executed for ordering the murder of a Manhattan gambler, Herman Rosenthal in the Becker-Rosenthal trial. Becker was the first American police officer to receive the death penalty for murder...
was found guilty of murder and executed.
Biography
Frank Moss was born in Cold Spring, New YorkCold Spring, New York
Cold Spring is a village located in the Town of Philipstown in Putnam County, New York. The population was 1,983 at the 2000 census. It borders the smaller village of Nelsonville...
in 1860 and moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
as a child. Attending New York City College, he became involved in "vice crusades" and other reform movements while studying to pass the bar. Early in his legal career, he held important positions such as president of the City Vigilance League and president of the Society for the Prevention of Crime. He was also a member of the Union League Club and Republican Club.
While council for Dr. Charles H. Parkhurst, Moss helped police in closing down gambling dens belonging to the On Leong Tong
On Leong Tong
The On Leong Chinese Merchants Association or simply Chinese Merchants Association, formerly known as the On Leong Tong , was a tong society operating out of its territory in Mott Street in New York's Chinatown. Established in November, 1893, the tong fought a violent war for control of...
in Chinatown
Chinatown, Manhattan
Manhattan's Chinatown , home to one of the highest concentrations of Chinese people in the Western hemisphere, is located in the borough of Manhattan in New York City...
. Much of the information was supplied by Mock Duck
Mock duck
Mock duck is a gluten-based vegetarian food. It is generally made from wheat gluten and is thus high in protein. Its distinctive flavor and artificial "plucked duck" texture distinguish it from other forms of commercially available gluten products. Mock duck can be found in some Chinese grocery...
, a rival underworld figure of Tom Lee
Tom Lee
Tom Lee is a Republican politician from Florida. He formerly served as President of the Florida Senate, and was a candidate for Chief Financial Officer in 2006, against GOP Primary opponent State Rep. Randy Johnson. He was a potential primary challenger to U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris, the former...
and the On Leongs, and who quickly assumed control of these establishments after they were closed. In appreciation, Mock Duck
Mock duck
Mock duck is a gluten-based vegetarian food. It is generally made from wheat gluten and is thus high in protein. Its distinctive flavor and artificial "plucked duck" texture distinguish it from other forms of commercially available gluten products. Mock duck can be found in some Chinese grocery...
replaced the traditional joss
Joss
Joss may refer to:*JOSS, a time-sharing programming language*Joss Supercar, an Australian-built automobilePeople*Joss Ackland, British actor*Joss Possible, a fictional character*Joss Stone, British female soul singer...
in the Hip Sing Tong House with a crayon portrait of Moss.
Moss first came to prominence during the Lexow
Lexow Committee
Lexow Committee . The name given to a major New York State Senate probe into police corruption in New York City. The Lexow Committee inquiry, which took its name from the Committee's chairman, State Senator Clarence Lexow, was the widest-ranging of several such commissions empaneled during the...
and Mazet investigations, as an associate and chief council respectively, where he established himself as an aggressive prosecutor and investigator. While cross-examining Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall, also known as the Society of St. Tammany, the Sons of St. Tammany, or the Columbian Order, was a New York political organization founded in 1786 and incorporated on May 12, 1789 as the Tammany Society...
leader Richard Croker
Richard Croker
Richard Croker, Sr. was an American politician, a leader of New York City's Tammany Hall.-Biography:...
during the Mazet inquiry, Moss was able to provoke him into stating the now famous statement admitting his corruption "I am working for my pocket all the time, just like you, Mr. Moss".
In 1897, he succeeded Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
as president of the Board of Police Commissioners
New York City Police Commissioner
The New York City Police Commissioner is the head of the New York City Police Department, appointed by the Mayor of New York City. Governor Theodore Roosevelt, in one of his final acts before becoming Vice President of the United States in March 1901, signed legislation replacing the Police Board...
. In 1901, during Seth Low
Seth Low
Seth Low , born in Brooklyn, New York, was an American educator and political figure who served as mayor of Brooklyn, as President of Columbia University, as diplomatic representative of the United States, and as Mayor of New York City...
and William Travers Jerome
William Travers Jerome
William Travers Jerome was an American lawyer and politician from New York.-Biography:He was the son of Lawrence Jerome and Kate Jerome. He attended Amherst College but left in 1881 without graduation...
's campaign against the city's red light districts, Moss famously addressed the court in a speech blaming Croker for the existence of white slavery
Sexual slavery
Sexual slavery is when unwilling people are coerced into slavery for sexual exploitation. The incidence of sexual slavery by country has been studied and tabulated by UNESCO, with the cooperation of various international agencies...
and forced prostitution
Forced prostitution
Forced prostitution, also known as involuntary prostitution, is the act of performing sexual activity in exchange for money on a non-voluntary basis. There are a wide range of entry routes into prostitution, ranging from "voluntary and deliberate" entry, "semi-voluntary" based on pressure of...
. He and Jerome became close friends after the trial, Moss working tirelessly on the case to the point of exhaustion, however the two would later have a falling out when the two noted attorneys faced each other during the trial of John M. Wisker in 1902.
In the fall of 1909, Moss was unexpectedly chosen by District Attorney Charles S. Whitman
Charles S. Whitman
Charles Seymour Whitman served as the 41st Governor of New York from January 1915 to December 1918. He was also a delegate to Republican National Convention from New York in 1916.-Biography:...
to become his first assistant. Although Moss was a Republican, he was not a particular favorite of machine politics
Political machine
A political machine is a political organization in which an authoritative boss or small group commands the support of a corps of supporters and businesses , who receive rewards for their efforts...
and Herbert Parsons
Herbert Parsons
Herbert Parsons was a U.S. Representative from New York.Born in New York City, Parsons attended private schools in New York City, St...
, political boss
Political boss
A boss, in politics, is a person who wields the power over a particular political region or constituency. Bosses may dictate voting patterns, control appointments, and wield considerable influence in other political processes. They do not necessarily hold public office themselves...
of New York County, was reportedly displeased with his appointment. While under Whitman, Moss successfully prosecuted the four members of the Lenox Avenue Gang
Lenox Avenue Gang
The Lenox Avenue Gang was an early 20th century New York City street gang led by Harry Horowitz, and was one of the most violent gangs of the pre-Prohibition era.-History:...
accused of murdering gambler Herman Rosenthal. It was partly on evidence gained at this trial that he was able to greatly assist Whitman in proving that police detective Charles Becker
Charles Becker
Charles Becker was a New York City police officer in the 1890s-1910s and who was tried, convicted and executed for ordering the murder of a Manhattan gambler, Herman Rosenthal in the Becker-Rosenthal trial. Becker was the first American police officer to receive the death penalty for murder...
hired the four gunmen to kill Rosenthal resulting in his conviction and execution.
A devout churchgoer, Moss was an active member of the congregation of St. James Methodist Episcopal Church. He served on the board of directors for the New York Church Extension Society for a number of years and his son, Reverend Arthur Moss, was on the Board of Foreign Missions of the Methodist Church. In November 1919, Moss underwent surgery at Roosevelt Hospital and suffered a relapse four months later from which he would never fully recover. In poor health for the last few months of his life, he died of heart disease at his East 127th Street home on the night of June 5, 1920. He was survived by his wife Elva E. Bruce and his two children Arthur and Elizabeth Moss.
Further reading
- Cohen, Stanley. The Execution of Officer Becker: The Murder of a Gambler, the Trial of a Cop, and the Birth of Organized Crime. New York: Carroll & Graf Publishers, 2006. ISBN 0-78671-757-2
- Fried, Albert. The Rise and Fall of the Jewish Gangster in America. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1980. ISBN 0-231-09683-6
- Lardner, James and Thomas Reppetto. NYPD: A City and Its Police. New York: Macmillan, 2001. ISBN 0-8050-6737-X
- Logan, Andy. Against the Evidence: The Becker-Rosenthal Affair. New York: McCall Publishing Company, 1970.
- Mackenzie, Frederick A. Twentieth Century Crimes. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1927.
- Root, Jonathan. One Night in July: The True Story of the Rosenthal-Becker Murder Case. New York: Coward-McCann, 1961.
- Srebnick, Amy Gilman and René Lévy. Crime and Culture: An Historical Perspective. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2005. ISBN 0754623831
- Willemse, Cornelius WilliamCornelius WillemseCornelius W. Willemse was a New York City policeman and detective from 1900 to 1925. He was the author of two memoirs, "Behind the Green Lights" and "A Cop Remembers". His books are among the few reliable first-hand accounts of the criminal gangs and police methods of that time.- Early life...
. A Cop Remembers. New York: E.P. Dutton, 1933.