The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-19
EVENING SESSION.

SuDorQlnhte Officers Vary In Opinion as TO
the Discipline of the Force.
The Commissioners began their evening sitting
by hearing additional testimony from Captain
Colbert, who said that shortly after Lang took
charge OF the force the Superintendent came to
him and said Campbell was not doing what was
right to him, and wanted witness to join him in
freezing Campbell off the force. He thought
that Lang suggested this because Campbell did
not treat him in the right manner. Witness ac-
knowledged that he had spoken to Lang about
Campbell not acting justly towards him (the
witness) in hog case and he also complained
to the Superintendent that he was making all the
saloon arrests, and he thought Campbell ought
to have share in that line of work
Superintendent Lang. recalled, said that he
had never been privately instructed by the Com
missioners in regard to the liquor men. They
told me not to place patrolmen in citizens
clothes to play the part of spies detectives on
saloon men. That was all They offered no re-
strictions in enforcing any law. There was a
slight amendment in regard to Rule TO- which
provides for the conduct of officers in relation
to raids on houses of ill-fame and other ques-
tionable places. This amendment provided that
raids should be made only on the order of the
superintendent, approved by the Commissioners,
except when breach of the peace occurs, or it
is known that crime is being committed The
restrictions confined to these two instances.
To Commissioner Downing he said he approved
the amendment when it was shown to him ex-
cept that he wanted the consultation in refer
ence to raids to be confined to the president of
the DO ard. To Mr.. Span he replied that the
amended rule interfered with him in one in
stance. Sergeant Lowe reported to him that
there was to be a game on West Washington
street one night. 1t was late and he could not
reach the Commissioners. The next day it was
too late. He understood the rule to mean that
when he knew gambling was going on he would
have to receive the authority of the Commission
ers before making any raid. He did not know
why the rule amended, but remembered
that at the time the English Hotel raid was
talked about it said that Dir. English ought
to have bean notified that gamblers were playing
in his house.
Sergeant John Lowe testified that he thought
Superintendent Lang had full control of the
force, and had the respect of all the men. His OBJ
servations led him to believe that Lang was i'm
partial. For four or five months there has been
some dissatisfaction He had heard no one
speak harmfully of the Superintendent From
some cause there had not been the unity there
ought to be. 1t was his opinion the talk of re-
moving the Superintendent had some thing to do
with it, When he got his promotion to SER
geantcy he found the men willing to obey or
ders and to do we'll Shortly after this he
noticed slight unwillingness to follow in
structions. The men had disposition to hang
back on making arrests for certain minor Of
lenses. They wanted the officer to lead
Questioned by Mr. Spaan he replied that the
lack of unity among the men was increasing
The men. perhaps. felt that if they did this or
that they would lose their positions. He had
heard great many men complaining about be-
ing reneayed from one beat to another. If
man becomes acquainted In a district and
the peonie like him it would be we'll to leave him
there. TO Mr.. Elan he said, as a general thing,
the changes were made by the Superintendent
However. he would ask the sergeants about it
He 1.-THE witnessl had recommended changes.
The Superintendent always, at roll-call asked
the sergeants about the men, and how they were
getting on. IL he has done anything wrong he
knew nothing of it. Criminals, when they
came here, were readily taken in. To
Commissioner Schurmann he replied that
the force was becoming more and more demon
allied on account Of the unsettled question re-
lating to the SUPPLEMENTARY. Witness told
Mr.. Elam that he had reported the dilatoriness
of several men to the Superintendent who CEN
sured them. good many times Lang had
asked him about the saloons. His orders to wit
ness were always to have the men enforce the
laws.
Officer John Farrell thought the force did not
work in unity. Some of the mon had been dealt
with partially. discomfort existed on this &C
count. Some of the extras have favors shown
them IN regard to putting in time. The men
also are discontinued by frequent removals from
one beat to another. The cross examination re-
ferred to the charges against the witness as be-
ing the cause of his missing time. Farrell stated
that he did not count those instances.
The witnesses wanted in reference to the Flo
Ballard incident were called without response
ov,d fhn nV,oso snn hot ho1
no power to compel attendance the prosecution
rested.
James F. Bradshaw. for the defense, who had
lived here fifty years, said the police force now
was the best the city has had in that time. He
did not know Lang personally. but regarded him
as a most efficient superintendent of police. On
cross-examination he said he knew nothing per-
sonally of the men, He spoke only from gen
eral impression and knowledge of what he had
to saloon men. but did not consider
them the best citizens. He could not say
that the efficiency of the force entirely due
to Superintendent Lang. He did not know that
the liquor law was f1agrantly violated every Sun
day. Some people said so; others said other
wise. Lang was known to him only through his
official acts. His ideas were formed by talking
with people and reading the newspapers. Those
who favored law and order favored Lang; saloon
men. prostitutes and gamblers were against him.
This last expression was brought out by the de-
fense but TO the prosecutor he said he heard
such expressions from reputable citizens in busi-
ness houses, Offices, and other places.
Sergeant Albert Travis thought the police
force was very efficient. He never saw il any
better No dissatisfaction had come to him, and
he did not know of orders being disobeyed
There complaints about beats, and changes
have been made. He thought it a very good idea
to make frequent changes and considered
Langs Judgment serviceable in this respect
Such complaints always exist. On cross exami-
nation he said the force was getting better. He
judged so from the quiet condition of the city.
The Metropolitan system is better than the one
it superseded. He did not want it understood
that the city's condition is entirely due to Langs
efficiency.
Sergeant Andrew Sauer supported the testi-
mony Of Sergeant Travis as to the condition of
the force aud the efficiency of the Superintend-
emit Officer Ben Thornton gave like evidence.
DAYS, on account of the charges being preferred