The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-16
TOUCHNOT; TASTENOT
Two Officers Accused of Drink
ing While on Duty.
STRICT POLICE DISCIPLINE.
The Police Commissioners Sustain the
Chfef-Krebs and Teller Dismissed
for Breach of Rules.

missioners was held yesterday, at which Messrs.
crawford, Ledgerwood and Guy were present as
Well as the mayor, who presided. Chief Rogers
was in attendance, together With Caotain
barck, Captain Peer and a large number of
other officers The meeting was held in the
delegates chamber, and the lobby was well
Hiieo. Inc occasion of so much interest was
tnat charges were to be preferred against two
ohcers OF VIC atng the regulation that no oficer
must enter saloon except in the performance
OF his duty, and must not drink Intoxicating
liquors while on duty. The two men were
Frank Krebs and Isaac Teller, both of whom
nave been for long time on the force.
The first charge heard was that against Frank
krebs. Captain Peer testified that when he
went on duty on the 18th he was told by Lieu
tenant Hogle that Krebs had brought In two
prisoners, who, he thought, couldn't be de-
tanned. He sent Hogle to bring Krebs in, and
the ofhcer was very drunk.
Lieutenant Hogle corroborated the captains
testimony, leaving no doubt both that the ar
rests had been Improperly made and that the
ofiicer was manifestly>under the influence of
liquor.
Fred Hamerton. bartender at the American
house, and one OF the men arrested, was ex-
amined. He related how Krebs had gone into
the saloon and arrested him. He went along
quiently, realizing that 1t was useless to resist,
as krebs was acting ugly, and remarked that
he would use a gun if necessary. The charge
was keeping disorderly house. He was re-
leased next day.
II. Ferguson, another of the victims, told on
the stand that although he went Quietly with
krebs he inquired what the arrest was for. 1t
was between aud o'clock in the morning, and
there was nothing to occasion the arrest. Krebs
was pretty full, and only answered witness
questions by saying that Hamerton's arrest was
not OF Ferguson's business, and kept repeating
that they could not money with him.
After the prisoners had been bailed
witness and Hamerton were passing the
American house, when Krebs spoke to them,
saying again they could not monkey with him,
that they had got Wilson's star from him, that
he would get witness license away. Krebs after
ward said he was willing to withdraw the
charges, and witness was equally willing, If his
bail was returned. The charge was not with
drawn. but when the case was called, no testi-
mony was offered.
Frye, the wholesale butcher and John Sexton,
a bartender at the Reception saloon, George
Morrison, Hugo Graft and Cohn testified that
SKrebs was sober on the 18th, that they noticed
nothing unusual in his appearance.
Krebs took the stand and said he had always
drank some beer; he had done it since he was a
child years Old, He had taken four or five
glasses that night He admitted having told
the chiefaon one occasion that he was not fit for
duty. This closed determination of witnesses
commissioner Crawford said the officer had
admitted that he drank four or five glasses of
beer. That was a rule Of the department which
must not be violated, and if the officer had
taken only one drink the commissioner would
be In favor of dismissing him. Policemen had
only to work eight hours. and if they could not
keep from drink during that time they were not
wanted.
Chief Rogers, who preferred the charges, said
Krebs was more than an average good officer, but
no discipline could be maintained in the depart
q bar sylo not road ~
particularly fragrant case, and in the face Of
the reports made by the captain and lieutenant
he had no alternative but to suspend the officer.
He regretted to do it, but he did not see how the
force was to be kept in good repute unless the
commissioners sustained their own rules.
The three commissioners spoke highly of him
az q brave and good officer, but each declared he
would not sustain any officer who violated the
rules of the department
The question was put and the judgment Of the
chief sustained.
Isaac Teller's case was then taken up, and
Captain Barck testified that he had seen the
officer in a saloon with bottle in his hand tax
ing glass of wine. He had been stationed at q
special place during the fire next to Jatfe's sa-
loon.
Oficer Purdy was called and testified that he
had stationed himself at the back door. He did
not see Teller In there John Jaffe said he had
called in the officer to help keep order and had
given the Omcer glass OF wine Wnich was al
ready poured out.
Mr.. Teller said he had only once before been
reported and that was for taking some back
berry wine under Monroe.
Commissioner Crawford said they had a
cast iron rule, and he must insist upon 1t. He
quoted the rule, which declares that any man
who takes an intoxicating drink while on duty
shall be dismissed from the force
Commissioner Ledgerwood believed it to be
good rule. which would not be violated If it was
enforced once or twice.
The action of the chief was sustained by vote,
and Teller dismissed.
On 1.-THE request of the board the chief NOM
mated Henry Surrey, Robert Johnston and Bert
Lufkin to I'LL three vacancies on the force.
The application of C. Z. Murray To be ap-
pointed driver of the patrol wagon was filed,
and pay allowed Patrolman Fassett during sick
ness. on the recommendation of the chief.