The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-06-14
Complaint Made in the Her
aid" Investigated.
TIE EVIDENCE ADDUgED
Chief O'Hara Admitted the Main Points in
a Frank Statement Of the circumstances
so Far as They Related to Hmm
Kane Gives Warning,

The lamp and watch committee Of the
Borough Council met in the Council
chamber last night to investigate the
charge published in the HERALD on the
9Th inst. to the effect that one Of the paid
police was seen drunk and staggering
along West Centre street at o'clock in
the morning of that day.
The members of the committee were
: Councilmen Michael Dougherty, James
Kane and A. d. Gable. All the members
Of the police force, c. II. Lewis, the
| Chronicle correspondent, and w. j.
| Watkins, representing the HERALD, were
present Policeman Dougherty raised a
question as to whether reporters should
| be allowed to be present and Mr.. Kane
| stated the committee had so decided
| After Chairman Dougherty stated the
| object of the meeting Mr.. Kane asked the
HERALD representative if he had anything
to say in support of the charge. The an
swer was that all the statements the
paper had to make were embodied in the
publication and that the party responsible
for that publication was in attendance
| and ready to speak for himself.
Mr.. G. 6. Clouser stepped forward and
stated that he was responsible for the
publication. That at about six O'Clock on
the morning of the 9th inst. he saw Chief
of Police O'Hara going down West Centre
| street, between the school building and
| Chestnut streets. Mr.. Clouser stopped
and watched the Chief until the latter
crossed at Chestnut street and disappeared
northward. Mr.. ClOuser judged the Chief
was under the influence of drink and
added that he did not think any sane
sober or healthy man would walk down
the street in that way and in full uniform.
Mr. Clouser said he did not anticipate
that the matter would lead to the trouble
that il had and did not wish to see any of
the police lose their positions, but since it
had been started he intended to stand by
what he saw. William Thomas also saw
the occurrence and spoke of it. Norris
Wurm was sitting in front of his place of
business and could not help but see it,
William Thomas was the next witness.
He said he was going to work that morn
ing and saw O'Hara go down Centre
street at about six o'clock and thought he
was drunk. He watched the chief until
the latter went out Chestnut street. He
| did not see the officer stagger off the pave
ment, but he appeared to be drunk.
Morris Wurm was the next person to
testify and said that on the morning in
question and at about six o'clock he saw
O'Hara under the influence of drink in
the presence Of the Messrs. Doughertys
Councilman and polCeman).
Councilman Dougherty interposed here
and said Mr.. Wurm wa .lStaken, be-
cause he (Dougherty) was ia bed at the
time.
Mr.. Wurm said, "Wen, if I am mis-
taken l will take it all back, but thought
| saw you there"
The witness then stated that he first
saw O'Hara at the corner of Centre and
Jardin streets and saw him under the in
huence of drink. When O'Hara walked
down the street Wurm went got up from
his seat and went into the house.
q. what was O'Hara's condition"
A. "He was under the influence of
drink
Q. "How did he walk"
, 4. How does any drunken man
= walk"
q. who was standing at the corner
t A. II thought it was Michael
Dougherty and James Dougherty, but if
| made mistake ! will take it back"
Mr.. Gable: Had these gentlemen you
s saw standing there uniforms onY
A. mo, sir"
O. Had Mr.. O'Hara his uniform on at
this time ?"
A. Eyes, sir.n
Chief O'Hara was permitted to ask the
three witnesses questions. Messrs Clauser
} and Thomas said the Chief was about a
square away from them when they saw
him. Mr.. Wurm said the Chief was
about $50 or 1870 feet away.
| On a question rs to whether O'Hara
! staggered of the pavement Mr.. Clauser
said it appeared to him that the officer
T stepped over Iue euro, lie luOuknI ne lltl
e but tree boxes were in the way. He was
almost sure, but not positive.
i Mr.. Wurm said he did not wish to say
: the officer was beastly drunk. ! saw him
under the influence Of drink.
This precipitated a discussion between
Messrs. Kane and Wurm on what cOnstl-
tutes drunkenness and Mr.. Wurm asked,
! Did you ever see a drunken man walk
! straightp
The discussion became quite warm and
Mr.. Kane told Mr. Wurm to get out" or
he would put him out. Wurm retorted
that Kane couldn't put him out Unpleas'
5 ant compliments were exchanged and
then Mr.. Wurm walked out.
Chief O'Hara then made a statement,
[ saying that he reported off duty at the
b regular time-4:3O-that morning and was
! not under the influence of drink at a. IN
D .. "What time did you take the drink
A, After | reported off duty, about
$3.50 | should Judge"
z, You still retained you uniform :"
A, yes, sir"
Mr.. Kane; Don't you know it is a
misdemeanor for any officer to get under
q the influence of drink while wearing his
f uniform These are the rules"
& Mr., OHara; ! would like to make q
., | statement. | went into Mr.. Dougherty'
h place and took three or four drinks anC
! they took effect upon me before ] was
aware VI IT, 1 W as Jtueu oNtl anu W hCA a
man is that way drink will take etfeCt
quicker than at other times. have Otter
had six times the amount of drink | had
that time and sometime ! find relief il
r dragging my feet and if / should stumble
l. little ] don't take the same trouble I,
recover myself that do when it is earlier
3, Mr.. Kane said that according to the or
P, dinRnces IL is a misdemeanor for police
man to get under the influence of drinl
while wearing his uniform, or at any tim
II of the day, and that the police will be hel'
responsible to the borough. He added