Los Angeles herald., 1890-08-28
THE COMMISSIONERS.
Police and Fire Department
Business Acted On.
Charges Heard Against Three
Policemen.
Shall the Saloons Be Closed at Mid
night?
The Police Commissioners Find Plenty of
Business.-Officer Dillon Dismissed
From the Force.-The Fire
Commissioners.


yesterday afternoon in the mayors
office there were present Mayor Hazard
In the chair, and Messrs. Bryson, Collins,
Dexter, and Lewis.
In the matter OF the charges preferred
against officer H. A. Rickenbach by
Robert Pothoff the chief reported that
upon investigation he had found that
the officer was guilty. On motion OF
Mr.. Lewis officer Rickenbach was
ordered to report for duty at once, and
to pay fine of $50, which sum was to
be placed in the police reward and
charity fund.
The sworn statement of Fred. Gam
berg, bar tender at the California club,
preferring charges against detective Bos-
qui and asking that he be censured, was
then read. He stated that on the night
of the goth inst. he was stopped by Bos-
Qui on the corner of First and Main
streets and placed under arrest on sus-
picion. He was taken to the station,
searched and detained for one hour and
quarter, in spite Of his remonstrance,
but was finally released. No charge was
entered against him on the books and he
was not informed what he was accused
of. He was tax payer and had lived
in this city for five years, and he felt the
disgrace very keenly.
The matter was. on motion of Mr..
Lewis, referred to the chief with power
to act.
The matter OF the charges preferred
against officer j. E. Fay by John Grim
mems was next taken up, and gave rise
to considerable discussion. Mayor
Hazard said that police officers were
paid to protect the citizens and not to
insult them, and no officer had the right
to insult citizen because he complained
about that officers actions. Mr.. Lewis
was very much exercised over the fact
that Sergeant Fletcher had countenanced
Fay's conduct by his presence.
Finally, on motion of Mr.. Collins, the
matter was referred to committee of
investigation, and on motion of Mr..
Lewis an addition was made to the
effect that Sergeant Fletcher be cited to
appear before that committee and ex-
plain his share in the transaction. The
chairman then appointed Messrs. Col
Inns, Lewis and Chief Glass as such COM
mittee,
The next matter taken up was that of
the charges preferred against AL. Dillon,
who has been suspended by the chief for
conduct unbecoming an officer, and
drunkenness. Mr.. Collins argued at con-
siderable length in Dillon's cause, stat
ing emphatically that he would not be-
lieve Alfred Coover, the man with whom
Dillon had the alteration. under oath.
Mayor Hazard said that the board
ought to sit down on all policemen who
made use of their authority in order to
bully citizens.
coiI fhof 10 bod han,
adopted by the board, removing any
member of the force who got drunk. He
moved, therefore, that that rule be en-
forced.
Mr.. Collins vigorously objected on the
ground that in the Connolly case, the
officer came up before the board three
times before being discharged.
Mr.. Lewis retorted that the rule had
not been adopted until Connolly was dis
charged.
Mr.. Collins argued, however, that
every case should be taken on
its own merits. Dillon had
been on the force four years,
but had never been up before the COM
mission until this time.
Finally, Mr.. Lewis moved that Dillon
be removed from the force. Mr.. Collins
moved as an amendment that he be
fined in the sum of $50. On being put
to vote the amendment was lost, and
the original motion of Mr.. Lewis pre-
vailed, Mr.. Collins alone voting mega
lively.
A communication was received from
the city clerk, referring Mrs. Ransome's
petition for an appropriation to her
honftf for women, from the council. The
rules having been suspended with re-
IL ~ hao ,no1
Councilman Shafer spoke at some
cause. The matter was referred to the
chief, with instructions to report there
on at the next meeting.
The application OF j. A. Gibson for a
position on the force, was received and
filed.
The following resolution offered by
Mr.. Dexter at the last meeting was then
read, and was unanimously adopted;
whereupon Mr.. Shafer withdrew
WHEREAS, 1t is a well known fact that large
part of the crimes committed in this and other
cities take place between the hours of II mid
might and O'Clock a. ma period when the
greatest police vigilance is necessary: and
WHEREAS, Many of the liquor dealers in the
city have declared that they have no desire to
keep their places of business open later than IL
O'Clock midnight, or open earlier than D a. m,
and
places where liquors are sold between the hours
above named; and
WHEREAS, The work of the police department
would be largely reduced by the closing of
liquor stores or saloons throughout the city
during the hours named therefore be it
Resotued, That the board of police commits
sioners OF the city of Los Angeles do hereby
racc,nmend to the city council that they take
hcs.Jn at once in the premises and pass an Ordi
nance to compel the closing of all places where
Intoxicating liquors are sold in said city
between the hours of midnight and o'clock
a. N.
The pay roll of the department
amounting in the aggregate to $5,553 81
was approved as read.
Z. j. Sage was appointed special Off
Ger at the Chinese theatre. without pay
from the city, and G. G. Smith was also
appointed as special officer at the
Redondo railway company's yards, pro-
vided he filed regular application.
Mr.. Collins, at this juncture, asked
Chief Glass whether or not he had issued
an order prohibiting the policemen from
talking politics either on or off duty.
The chief replied that in view of the
approaching campaign he had issued a
verbal order to that effect.
Mr.. Collins thought that the chief was
exceeding his Jurisdiction; but the
majority OF the board upheld the chiefs
action, after hearing rules XXVI and