Birmingham state herald., 1897-03-31
SERGEANT ]. B. DONELSON Reprimanded by the Board of
 Police Commissioners F0EF VIOLATING A RULE f o9ney Lowe Wanted to Know Why Others, fS Equally Guilty We're Not Brought g Up for Trial
VIOLATING A RULE


 held in the office of the chief of police at 7:30 o'clock last night | Those present were Chairman A. H. Stevens and Messrs. E. Lesser, A. P. Lane and W. c. Garrett. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. The resignation of Officer P. J. New | man was accepted and supernumerary No. l, w. H. Scharber, was elected as pa, trolman to succeed him. Supernumerary No. 2, Mcknight, was advanced to No. l.
 The election of supernumerary No. was entered into, but after three ballots | had been taken, resulting in tie vote. | the election was deferred to the next meeting. There were several applicants The commission here adjourned to the city council chamber to enter into the | trial of Sergeant J. B. Donelson. The charges were read by Desk Ser geant Rowlett and were to the effect that he had violated rules 42 and 65 of the commission.
 City Attorney Robert J. Lowe appeared for Sergeant Donelson. He demanded a more explicit eXplana ton of the charges. The amended charges were that the ser geant had used profane language at roll call on Friday, March 26 to superior officer.
 MT. Lowe called attention to the fact that these charges were not the same as originally entered, but was willing to continue the trial
 The witnesses were sworn and put un- der the rule to leave the room. THE FIRST WITNESS. Was Chief Mcdonald. He stated that he had reason to believe that certain officers were not reporting correctly over the new Gamewell system. He said that some of the men did not report their names, which was said to be a violation. 'Ihe rule stated that the officer must stand at the box about one minute to answer whatever telephone message may be sent from headquarters He said that he warned the officers at roll call last Friday and that Sergeant Donelson had used the expression of a Id lie"
 MT. Lowe wanted to know whose bust ness it was to report at that hour (7:3o a. m) from the box in question and was told no other officer had a right to re- port there except Sergeant Donelson and the men on that beat. The witness could not swear that all the keys would | fit that box. He believed such was the case but was reminded that he was not asked for his belief and then sta ted that he did not know.
 He had given instructions to the off, cers to report, but did not notify the com mission as to his actions. He did not know how many miles was necessary to be travelled by Sergeant Donelson. nor how many times day he had to re- port.
 The chief said that he had instructed all the men to give their names over the telephone, but afterwards stated that he did not tell all of them. He did not tell Sergeant Donelson to do so at the time.
 DESK SERGEANT ROwLETT. Was called in and stated that he was called from home between and o'clock by Officer Johnson, on orders from Chief Mcdonald. He was instructed to ring up every officer making report and de- mand his name. He rang the telephone bell and tried to get an answer He asked "Who is that?" He was an- swered that q can't understand you" He again asked "Who is that?" and was told to look on the paper and he could see who it was. Rowlett again asked "Is that you, Captain Donelson?" but re- ceived no answer.
 He said .hat he was at roll call when the chief told the men to answer and to send in their own reports. He stated that Capt. Donelson had told the chief that mo matter who said so, he was a d. liar"
 Rowlett stated that other men did not answer, but that Sergeant Donelson did answer and failed to give his name. He did not remember, when the chief asked him, whether Sergeant Donelson an- swered "yes" when asked if that was Capt. Doneison.
 MI. Lowe wanted 10 KNOW why Cn1ef McDonald had not reported other men whom he admitted had also violated the rule.
 CAPT. DoNELsoN
 was the first witness for the defense He detailed conversation with Capt. Wier. He went to the box on Twentieth stree. to report. He turned in his report and answered hello to the telephone bells ring. He said he could not hear and told the man at the other end that he could not hear him. He then said Hello! Look on the paper and see who this is re- porting" He stayed at the box several minutes, but could hear mo more. At roll call the chief told him that he (Donelsom refused to give his name to Rowlett. To this Donclson replied that he did not refuse to do so. nnd the man who said he did was 'd- liar" His number was No. 3, and no other member of che force reported on thut number.
 He and Rowlett were friendly. but not intimate. Perhaps there was little cool ness existing. but no words had been ex- changed.
 OFFICER OLDHAM
 was .he last witness called. He stated that it was very noisy around the box after 6 o'clock in the morning, and ft was almost impossible to understand anything over the telephone He stated that he reported from that box. but could hardly hear anything after o'clock in tk 2 morning.
 Here both sides closed, and Attorney Lowe made his argument for Sergeant Donelson. He summarized all the testi- mony as given during the trial
 After the conclusion of the argument Mir. Lowe moved that Sergeant Donelson be declared guilty aud reprimanded by the chairman of the commission. The motion was carried. Ano.her mo.ion was made that the commission go into execl- tive session. This was also carried.
 Chairman Stevens stated that the rep rimand would be administered in the ex- ecuI.ive session. Every one except the board and Sergeant Donelson was exclud- ed from the room.