The times., 1897-07-08
.sTAT|OHKEEPER ON TRIAL
Charges Of Reporter O'Brien
Against II. f. s. Allen.
THE BASIS OF THE COMPLAINT
Result OF a Personal Alteration
Between the Two Young Men.
They Prove versed in Legal Lore
and Puzzle Capt. Austin-The
Trial Not Yet Ended.

The police trial board, composed of Capt.
In session yesterday morning at the Sixth
precinct police station 10 hear the charges
preferred against StationkeeperH Fl F 5. Allen
by Joseph f. o Bren, reporter for the Wash
ington Post, and also by Webster Ballinger,
correspondent for the Syracuse Standard.
AR. O'Brien was on hand TO endeavor 70
substantiate his statements, but Mr.. Bal
Inger did not put in an appearance.
The board did not finish hearing the testi-
mony in the first case and will resume this
morning. They have insured Mr.. Ballinger's
attendance by subpoenang him.
The origin OF Mr.. O'Brien's complaint was
found TO be an alteration between the re-
porter and Staiionkeeper Allen, In which
O'Brien charged Allen with exceeding his
authority in the regulation OF the repor ter S
privileges ut the First precinct Several
days after this first unpleasantness Allen
oruered o Brien either to desist some trivial
deface'nent OF an ink eraser, which he
happened to be handing behind the rail
asat the ftation, or to get off the platform.
Refusing to do either Allen forcibly pushed
0 Brien from behind the railing, aud later
elected him from the building
For alleged harsh language used on this
occasion and unnecessary violence EN-
ployed. Allen was placed on trial IN
Guided among the charges was the state
ment that Allen neglected his DUTIES TO
prepare articles for local newspaper,
and that daring the time he was on
duty 1t was admitted by the Complainant
that these articles did not treat of police
matters, and as Lieut.. Amiss, in charge
of the First precinct, testified that this
employment interfered in no way with
| the discharge of Aliens duties, the trial
| board paid but little attention to this
| feature or the case. Lieut.. Amiss paid
| high tribute 10 Aliens ability, and pro
bounced him the most competent station
| keeper that had been placed at the First
! precinct since his connection Herewith
Samuel Snail and traak b. Lord. Two
| local newspaper mea, were called as
| witnesses in the case. They gave their
versions OF the trouble out of which tne
| charges originated, after W hioh Capt
| Austin summed up matters by declaring
| that Allen had the right to order all
! persons not connected with the depart
ment from behind the desk railing and
| WAS empowered TO employ force in exc
cutting has orders II the exercise OF such
| be necessary.
| Ii did not appear from the testimony of
| eye witnesses that the station keepar used
| unnecessary violence.
Capt Austin had his hands full as the
| head OF tile court OF inquiry Both the
| prosecuting witness and the officer on
/ trial showed some knowledge of leca! pro
cedUre in evidence and examination, and
! leading questions were repeatedly objected
to BY both parties, but Capt Austin had
but an indirect idea Of what a ieading
| question was, 50 he decided them In order
| on both primary and cross- ex amin alton
Objections Were taken by the score Tut
still the case went on. Tic board took
a recess till this morning, when the 0 Brien
case will be finis he'd and BaIlinge s
| charges considered. -
TIE complaint of sMr. BaiI;nger arose
Out of the conduct of the officials at the
| police station toward the corresuontient
| when ne was arrested a short time aca
| for alleged false preteHses. Pailing,r
| claimed that he was treated like a COM
mon criminal: that he was not allowed to
notify his friends. Witnesses will be SUM
| moned TO appear this morning and a thor
ough investigation made. High police
| officials who are familiar with the In
| side facts of both cases and with the
| opinions Of the Judges relative to such
| matters state that Allen will without doubt
| be eXonerata ted.