Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-06

Capt. Austin Submits His RepOr
After an investigation.

Capt. Austin Submits His Report
After an investigation.
During the police investigation some time
ago the Commissioners received an anony
nous communication charging Acting
Lieut.. Smith of the fourth precinct with
certain Irregularities 1t was charged that
while Officer Smith was duty Officer
Sanford and a citizen were arrested for fast
driving. Sergt Smith, it was stated. con-
Quoted the prisoners to the station house,
where he allowed Officer Sanford to give
fictitious name when charged with fast
driving. and that s. collateral was only re-
quired, when SO is the usual amount.
There were several minor charges one be-
ing that Sergt. Smith showed favoritism.
that he appropriated to his own use one of
the newspapers purchased by the officers,
that he was a frequent visitor at a ques-
tionable house, and that that was the
reason the same had not been raided.
This letter was referred by the Commits
sioners to Maj. Moore for immediate in
vestigation and report, and by him referred
to Capt. Austin.
Capt. Austin's report was submitted to
the commissioners today, and Is as follows:
Upon investigation l find that w.. San
ford, while a private in the fourth pre-
cinct and while on leave Of absence, was
arrested by Sergt. Smith, who was in COM
pany with Privates Cowne and Knupfer
CoIuSI VI ~ anu " streets southwest. trl-
vate Sanford was sent to the station in Gus
tody Of Private Cowne, who, being with
him all the way to the station, knew he was
intoxicated. but the station keeper did not
Jones and William Band, the first was
charged with fast driving the other with
being disorderly, and 1t so appears on the
record of the station. under date December
y, 1893. Band escaped, but Sanford left
collateral for both. The station keeper did
not know at the time that Sanford was a
prison er, but thought he was reporting
cases made during the day. and did not
know until some time later. Private Cowne
did not hear what names were given, but
told the station keeper that Sergt. Smith
said that s. could be taken in each case,
which Is the usual collateral required in
such cases. Sergt. Smith did not go to the
station with the prisoners, nor did he know
what names were registered until the next
morning, when he reported the circum-
stances to his lieutenant. II was not a
serious case, ror was any ones life in
| danger. Private Knupfer. thinking it was
understood, did not ask any questions, but
copied the names from the blotter to prose-
cute before the court the following MORN
ing, where the collateral was forfeited.
In regard to the newspaper, the station
keeper (Mr. Nossb states he frequently put
the Baltimore Sun in the sergeants room,
but more to save the paper from being de-
stroyed than for the sergeant's use. and 1t
was never put ou of sight, but laid spread
out on the table. in view of any one pass
ing through tne nan. as tne door was al
ways kept open. and any one wishing to
use either Ohe room or the paper could do
SO. No private was ever refused admit
lance.
In regard to Sergt. Smith visiting the
house Of Madam Smith. he says he was
never there except on official business, and
that was to notify her to move from the
neighborhood, as Instructed by his heuten-
ant.
As to his acting az lieutenant. he being
the senior sergeant; 1t is incumbent upon
him at any time when the lieutenant Is
absent, from any, cause. to act In that ca
pacity. $50
Lieut.. Vernon being SICK could not
get any Information from MIN concerning
the portion of the letter in which II is
stated that Sanford was allowed to give a
fictitious name. i--
1.-The rest Of the letter was too ridiculous
to notice, as the sergeant could hardly be
held responsible for the action of his su-
perior."