The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-21
POLICE FORCE DRINKING.



The Board of Public Safety met last night
and disposed of a variety of business.
Charges in two different cases against pa
trolman George DIlts were disposed of. In
the first case David Fesler, McCarty-street
saloon keeper. charged Dilts with intoxica-
ton. He stated on the stand that Dilts was
in the habit of drinking in HIS saloon. and
that on one occasion he had come In the
place badly under the influence of liquor
On another occasion Dilts had caused him
to open the saloon on Sunday night In order
that he Oilts) might be given drink. This
testimony in regard to the specific case Of
Dilts's intoxication was corroborated by Leo
Cornett, bookkeeper for the Indianapolis
Gas Company. Superintendent Colbert tes-
titled that I3ilts had the reputation of being
overload Of liquor. but that he had never
seen him under the influence
In behalf OF Di1ts several sergeants and
patrolmen who were well acquainted with
him stated they had never seen him under
the influence Of liquor. and his superior Of
ficers gave him the best Of reputation as an
officer. 1t also developed that there might
charges. DiIts had reported Fesler to the
superintendent for allowing card playing in
the saloon. and from that time Fesler had
tried TO have D1lts removed from that beat
and short time ago Dilts was removed.
The other case against Dilts was brought
by William vehling, q contracting plasterer.
He met a friend in front of Dilts's resi-
dence. 351 Massachusetts, avenue, and leaned
against the fence 70 talk. He charges that
Dilts came out and cursed him and showed
him into the street. Dilts claimed that he
suspected the men meant mischief, and or
dered them away and enforced his order, as
he felt was his right as citizen. The board
that Fesler seemd to have for Dilts the
charges could not be given full weight, al
though II was apparent that Diits was too
free with drinking. He was cautioned not
to let such thing occur again. He was
also discharged in the other case with a
caution.
nett, who Is the electric wire inspector APP
pointed by the local board Of underwriters
In accordance with the recent ordinance reg
ers were also granted to j. w. Cotton for
st. Clair square and Brookside Park; 10
William Ropkey and William Smith, mer-
chant policemen; TO Samuel Houston, for the
Water Works Company's pumping station.
Charges which had been preferred against
patrolman James Pope and referred 90 Su-
dismissed on recommendation of the SUI
perintendent. Pope was charged with con-
duct unbecoming an officer In holding up
John Grigg April %. II was shown that
Pope acted under orders from the superin-
The board had number Of bills against
sented by firms and individuals for coffee
ton. Ii was ordered that In the future
when bills are thus presented 70 the SUPER
allowed pay day to pass without max
ing some sore OF a payment or adjustment
OF the bin, the superintendent shall have
power to suspend the men pending investi-
cation by the board.
The board awarded contracts for furnish
ing the two new. engine houses with stoves.
| lied Chief Webster to solicit bids for roof
ing engine house No. Z.