Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-30
OFFICER RUSSELL ON TRIAL
Charges Filed by Howard Perry Of Co.
lumbia Athletic Club,
Policeman Accused of Impcrtfnencs
and Refusing to Do His Duty
The Evidence.
n.

Policeman L. H. Russell of the third pre-
cinct was before the police trial board to-
oay charged by Mr.. Howard Perry of the
Columbia Athletic Club with using insolent
ana d1srespectful language toward Him.
ana also with failing and refusing TO per-
form the duty assigned him when detailed
at the c. A c. grounds on the 18th of last
month.
There was big crowd in attendance at
the grounds, and during one OF the track
contests. when the spectators had moved
over on a part Of the track, Mr. Perry.
who was referee, called, to the officer to
clear the track, and what followed was the
cause of the officer being brought up On
charges
When he appeared before the trial boar I'd
this morning Mr.. Perry said he had no i'll
feeling toward the officer, but he wanted
the question at issue settled by the board
IN giving his testimony he said the crowd
mad pushed over an lima gipary line. The
particular event then on, he added, vas
becoming exciting. and he asked the officer
TO nave the crowd moved. His reply was
that ne had already asked the people to
move, and he told witness If he wanted
them out of the way he would have to
move them himself.
His Estimate of Duty.
The officer. he said told him he was
eAiSiS ~ diIcSl tIOlalOTS OF the law, ana
witness had an idea that the persons who
crowded OIL the track were d.sorderly ON
Ger Russell asked him how he was going
to get the people lack, and witness told
Elm to push them back.
Afterward Mr.. Perry went to the officer
to get the number Of his badge, and this.
ne thought, incensed the policeman who
volunteered to give. his name Russell was
then endeavoring to force the crowd on
the track, and witness told him he need
not 90 IT, Whereupon the officer told him
he knew his business. Mr.. Perry said he
considered the officer was Impairment
questioned by members of the trial board,
Mr. Ferry said the club had no men en-
ployed as special officers to handle the
crowd ana see that the rules were OBJ
served. He thought his remarks to the
o on,, were rather sharp and he said he
argued the matter with the officer rather
foolishly Some of the club members he
thought. might have violated the rules as
well es others.
On cross examination, witness said there
was a bank behind where the crowd was
collected. and he wanted the spectators to
get over the bank. If they had novel
over IT in proper way there would nave
been no one injured. He denied that he
told the officer to knock" the crowd. or
that he advised the use of the club. al
though he did ask why the officer had his
cup Gnu anu badge. He said there was no par
ior language used between the officer and
himseif, FOR he was probably excited.
RuSselPs Dcnial
The policeman denied that there was
any Intention on his part to be insolent or
dssrespectful. During the past five years
he has been detailed on the C. A. c. field a
number of. times and he has always done
MS best to assist the club. He was detailed
there on the occasion named, he said, to see
that there was 10 breach of the peace or
violation OF the law, and not to assist in
the enforcement of the rules of the club
So far as he understood his duty, lie had
no authority to make the spectators OBJ
The group of men on the track he said.
was composed mostly of cfub members, and
all ne could do was to ask them to move.
me tney ma MAD gone back abouteighteen feet be-
was plenty OF room on the track for the
men who were figuring in the event, ard he
iealized that II the spectators were pushed
going over the bank He understood Mr.
Perry to say KNOCK theih back" but this
Mr.. Perry denied.
MIR. Perry's Language.
The officer added that II he was insolent
or impertinent 1t was uninteptional. and
was brought about by the. Language used
by Mr. Perry. Several of thet club mem-
bers, he said. gave him 1tireirr names and
volunteered to appear al witnesses IL he
desired them. o. e ne
Three members Of the club appeared be-
lore the board In the officers behalf. and
one other witness for the defense was also
examined Others were present for the
policeman, but they were not called
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