National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-09-27
WEST AND HIS WHISTLE.


When the president Of tho Metropoli-
tan Street Railway company received
Commissioner Vests formal complaint
against Otto Sonnermann, tho transfer
agent at Ninth and Il streets, he imme-
diately suspended tho latter, with an init
nation that tho suspension would con-
tinuo until Sonnormann could prove that
he was in tho right A gentleman who
saw the whole affair wrote tho following
letter to Mr.. George w. Pearson, presi-
don't Of tho company in behalf Of Sonner-
mann yesterday:
an the interest of fair play desire to
say that, being o witness to the little mis-
understanding between Gen. West and
your transfer man at Ninth and II streets
Monday night, can not for my life think
what Mr. Sonnormann could have done
more than he did do, as when Gen. West
said to him, "Why in the hi don't you
stop that carr" 1t was just about Tenth
street, going west. mad como from that
direction. Looking east at this time ]
could sec another car just littlo cast Of
Seventh street, coming west. / will say
further that the young man, while firm,
was very respectful, and in no way was
/ 'ioSbuihtoubs NOMt uO NV hhOW bntbt
parties, any of them, but at tho same time
think 1t is but justice for me or anyone
who saw the transaction to picture It in
its true light"
The following letters upon the subj ect
have been received
TO TIC Editor
l was standing at the corner OF Ninth and
| II streets on the night of the West difficulty.
The car alluded to, which West says should
have stopped, was nearly u full square away
from tho corner when he was ready TO take It.
| OF course II was out of the question to have 1t
stopped then, especially us there was another
coming about two minutes behind Allow mo
| 10 say the starters manner was that of II gen.
| tleman in fact, always has been as long as he
has been there, aud havo travelled the route
nearly every day for some time. Vests con-
| duct on the occasion is worthy of censuro.
Hoping the starter will retain mis- place, re-
main, A, f.
II he Editor.
For six years my residence has been near
the north end of Ninth street, and my place of
business on tho f street road. have large
family and we have used daily the transfer
| tickets, corner of Ninth and f. None ofus have
had cause to complain of the agents at that
place. have had frequent cause ofcomplaint
against persons who hail and stop the car and
take their own time for getting In, especially
against ladies who, after stopping the car, in
dulge In kissing their friends and shaking
hands for "goodby," regardless Of the hast OF
'hD ucluincu pusscHGelA
The mistake OF Gen. West would seem to be,
that he thinks himself as n commissioner ono
of the officers of police and that, instead of be.
inga member of a board clothed with tho ad.
| illustrative and supervising power of the old
police board, he Is Individually n policeman
with the right to carry a whistle and make ar.
rests, like each member of the old police board.
But the organic act (see 9Th sect) did not trans.
fer to the individual commissioners any power
whatever; 1t did not transfer the powers and
duties of the old board, which power and
duties the commissioners were authorized to
execute through 'olicer and agents" and in
no other way. The commissioners appoint
policemen but cannot make arrests. Pres
dent Arthur appoints commissioners, but can
not legally sign district warrant. If Gen
West wishes to act as policeman, the only way
Is for him TO get regular appointment, dor
the uniform and badge, and buy his baton.
| TRANSFER