The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-24
In A DESPERATE DILEMMA.
The Police Commissioners Still Hesitate About
Deciding Superintendent Lang's Case.

The Police Commissioners had a two hours
session yesterday afternoon and adjourned with
out reaching decision as to the Lang matter,
that is. so far as they are ready to make it pub
lic When this will be done is matter of con-
lecture even with themselves. but there can be
no doubt that they are measuring every step to
conclusion that will in all probability coincide
with the view that the Commissioners and super
intendent must be in accord. At yesterdays
meeting half hour was spent in a partial re-
opening Of the testimony. The Commissioners
wanted to hear from Mr.. Lang again on point
that was omitted in the investigation. Lang and
his attorney. John B. Elam, we're there. as were
Cas- Byfeld for the board and Attorney Span
for the prosecution2 The spectators were limited
to few.
1t is claimed by the Comm issioners that Su-
perintendent Lang told Commissioner Schur-
man that the force was demoralzed, and that b Q
had lost control of it. This conversation, it is
presumed, occurred in February, but Superin-
tendent Lang, when called to the stand said he
had no recollection of making any such state
ment. Mr. Murphy, one occasion, asked him
if the force was not demoralized, and he replied
that the men were somewhat uneasy on account
of the agitation going on in regard to the super
intendency He told Mr.. Murphy that he was
proud of what he had done, and pointed to the
condition Of the city as proof of the effectiveness
of the force.
Mr. Murphy said there was another converse
ton, but Superintendent Lang remembered
none, except that when the Commissioners re-
quested him to resign Mr. Schurman gave as his
reason for uniting in the request that he be-
lieved he the lwitnessl had lost control of t3ee
force
Mr. Schurman stated that it was at meeting
early in February, prior to the time OF the re-
quest for Mr.. Lang's resignation; that the su
perirtendent acknowledged that some OF the
men were disaffacted and that he had lost con-
troll of them. He qualified this, however by
saying the trouble arose from the repeated agl-
taton concerning the superfn tendency. This
conversation occurred in the board room. and In
the presence of Commissioners Downing and
Murphy 1t came up during a talk concerning
the advisability of requesting the superintendent
to resign. Mr.. Schurman believed that this was
the first time the removal of Lang had ben
talked about since he came into the board
Commissioners Downing and Murphy supported
the statement of Mr. Schurman.
After this the board went into executive SEES
sion, but in the meantime a petition of citizens,
expressing faith and confidence In Superintend-
emit Lang's ability" and asking for his retention,
was submitted by E. w. Coffin and r. K Par
ker. These gentlemen, in few hours solicita-
ton among Meridian and Washington-s street
business men, procured 1913 signatures to the
petition. The Commissioners had with them in
their consultation their attorneys, Messrs. By
field and Smith.
Yesterday morning the Commissioners went
to the State officers, seeking opinion from
them. 1t is understood that one of the latter
expressed himself as tired of the discussion apd.
further that he did not propose to have the
Commissioners shift the responsibility on the
men who appointed them. There had been too
much of that already, and it had to end then
and there. The Attorney general would not
give formal opinion this question. because
he was not required to do 80, except through the
State officers. 1t was decided by the latter that
the Commissioners must settle the matter them
selves