The herald., 1896-11-11
He Was Entirely Too Frisky for
a Blind Man
THE PASSING OF BATES
Final Action Taken by the Board Of
Police Commissioner
The Discharged officer Had Been on the
Pension Rolls for More than Year.
Saloon Business Transacted.

A. B. Bates is no longer in the employ
Of the city of Los Angeles as police
officer, his name having been dropped
from the rolls by the police commits
sioners at the meeting yesterday morn
ing. Over a year ago Bates lost his
eyesight, it is alleged. as result of ex-
posture in the discharge of his duty, he
at the time being detailed on detective
work, and being out much at night
Bates was then placed on the pension
list, and has since been drawing half
pay, $40 per month. Bates has since
spent much time and money in trying to
regain his eyesight, and made at least
one trip east to consult specialists. He
received some relief, and was finally
able to again make his way about the
city without assistance. He finally de-
serted his Wife it is alleged, and began
living with another woman. There mas
been more or less talk about the matter
for some weeks, but nothing was done
until the case was brought to the atten-
ton of the commissioners by Mrs. Bates,
who addressed letter to the board, set
ting forth the facts, and asking that she
sion for her support. After an investi-
cation the commissioners thought thai
the easiest and best way out of the diff
Guilty was to dismiss Bates at once and
his name was accordingly dropped.
A letter from Mrs. Thomas, in which
she alleged that Officer Wilkerson was
indebted to her in the sum of $125 for
groceries, which amount he had refused
to pay, was also read to the board. The
lady declares that the money has been
due a long time, and that the officer has
persistently refused to make any effort
TO liuuidate The letter concludes as
follows:
II have been a resident Of this city
for the last fourteen years and tax
payer for that length Of time. 1 think
it an outrage that we should nave such
a man as that on our police force, and
Furthermore. if he refuses to pay. so
much a week on the month until he has
settled in full, l think he should be
stricken from the force"
The letter was referred to the ch1ef
to make an investigation and report at
the next meeting.
The matter of the petition asking that
the license of the National Concert hall
at No. 1928 North Main street and tAe
counter petition, which have been hang
ing fire for several weeks, were again
called up. Some siXty-five affidavits
have been filed for and against the place,
and the whole business was referred for
investigation to a special committee con-
sisting of Commissioners Cook and Wiz
schng, who will report al the next meet
ing.
The demand of Newell Brothers for
$31S67 for plumbing in the new Central
police station was referred to the super
intendent of buildings to report as to
it's business.
Commissioner Barham called atten-
ton to the cell for insane at the new
station saying it was not properly pad
ded. A Recommendation was made to
the council that something be done.
The application was granted of the
South Los Angeles Gun club for permits
sion to establish shooting range at the
extreme southern boundary Of the city
on forty acre tract of land on which is
I located the factory of the California
Sewer Pipe company.
The application of F. Conrad for a
transfer of the license of the saloon Mt
the northeast corner of First and Ala
self. was granted.
The application of J. H. Hetherington
| for a license for saloon at No. 307 Sec
| ond street, was granted
F. D. Colby was granted transfer Of
f! the license for the saloon at No. 100
| NOTIH MALI SlItcl lIOlil SHdllC l.. Ddt
| nett to himself.
| A license for a saloon at No. 800 South
Los Angeles street was granted w. H
McFee.
| The application of ]. X. Miller for 4
! transfer of the license for the bar at the
| Arcade hotel from Darmody & Schaffei
| to himself was granted.
The time for action was deferred ono
week on the following applications
| Jean Lenert for license at the northeast
corner OF New Main street and Glover
/ street; Hoffman e Forstoktte for a
! license at No. 423 North Main street: l.
L. Branner for license al No. 220 West
| First street.
Applications We're referred to the chief
as follows: Charles Fouelti. for tranE-
| fer at 652 Upper Main street from p
! Rolands e. Co to himself; Joseph Mer-
gen, for a transfer at Nos. 215 and 81
| East Second street from Paul Maier ana
| Gustav Keller to himself.
The application of George W. Nc
| Ginstry. George D. Bunch and A. A.
Bridges for appointment as policemen
| were referred to the chief