The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-03-10
NUMB | D INED.
Lively Proceedings at the
Hoboken FiremaD's
Trial.
COMMISSIONER HAUsER ANGRY
Rates His Colleagues for Their
Unfair Conduct Towards
the Defense.
COMMISSIONER HAUSER ANGRY

NARA LA&o 1890 ~ N@- ~
plegate Of the Hoboken Fire Department,
and with conduct unbecoming a fireman.
and gentleman" came up last night before
the Commissioners of the Hoboken Fire
Board.
The story OF the quarrel between the
two men has already been published fa
1.-THE News" Mumford gave as grounds
for his misconduct tina Chief Apologize
had attempted ito steal his girl" The fair
one over whose affections Mumford al
leges the trouble arose. is employed in an
office, near Fire Headquarters or Hudson
street.
The hearing in the case last night LASTED
two hours and developed some sensation
al features. After listening attentively
to both sides the Commissioners concluded
that Mumford was the aggressor and i'm
posed a fine On him of twenty days pay.
Mumford was represented in the trial
by Counsellor Alexander c. Young. There
was some dispute over allowing MIR.
Young to appear for the defense. Conn
missioner Bender moved that the lawyer
be granted permission to appear as a
matter of courtesy only,
The Board is fully able to conduct this
trial" said Mr.. Bender, land we don't
need outside interference"
Mr.. Young said that the Board may be
able to conduct the trial but the accused
may not be able to defend himself
Munford, who was returned to duty
three days ago after being suspended for
three days. was then ordered to plead to
the charges as read by the Clerk.
81 would like to know with what I am
accused said Mumford. 81 shall ask that
aa0lZ 1i-+;rA% 49, ~ ,oos II ~ 81. 81
After some discussion between Mr..
Young and the Commissioners, the Clerk
again read the charges and Mr.. Bender
explained that Avile and abusive Ian
guage'' and conduct unbecoming a fire.
man and a gentleman covered the point.
The trial then proceeded. Murnford de-
clined to plead to the charges and Chief
Engineer Applegate was called as the
first witness. The Chief said
'In my charge against Mumford I speci-
fed hat he used vile and abusive lam
guage towards me to citizens and mem
bers of the department. Mnmford sub
~sequently confessed to me IN the presence
of Captain Soffel of one of our engine
companies that he had done so. Mr.. Ernst
Schmidt told me that he had roasted me
to him.
SOilAlLlSSitd6r T1duSGT aSheu lue NIltl To
state the exact words Munford said and
he did so.
Then Counsellor Young asked permits
son to question the witness. but President
Kuper objected.
What kind of courtesy do you ,eall
that?', retorted Commissioner Hautser,
taxing sic with Mr.. Young. Here you
extend the privilege to the accused to be
represented by counsel and then refuse to
permit the latter to be heard"
President Kuper. however. would not
submit to the witness being questioned by
Mr.. Young.
Ernest Schmidt. son of a Washington
told Of the alleged abusive language he
had heard Mumford use toward the Chief.
He said he didn't want to see the Chief
or any of the Commissioners abused N
thai way.
Mr.. Young again asked to question the
witness n was again refused the pTiyi-
iege by President kuper.
These proceedings are a farce loud
ly exclaimed MIR. Hauser. This sort of
thing is ridiculous" But his objection
had no effect on the other members and
the proceedings went igat on in the same
manner.
Captain Soffel. who is stationed at Fire
Headquarters. was also called as a wit
ness, and testified as to the language he
said he heard Munlferd use in regard to
the Chief. "Murnford told me-, he con-
tinued, that had he been a bigger ina
i WOdfQ nave llchcQ Tile 0u46l t9tlS dBO.
Counselor Young demanded permission
to question Soffel also, n was refused.
commissioner Hauser rose from his seat
more excited than ever and denounced
the actions of the members as an out
rag
This Board wants to act as Judge, jury
and the whole business. 1t looks as
though Munaford is going to be found
guilty anyhow
Frederick Zimmerman, of Headquarters.
testified that. Mumford called the Chief
IilG n as x.vhnn ha 11ro c tro 5ncfatprI 4s-o~,
Headquarters to the Ferry street engine
house on February II last.
The same request was made by Coun-
he was refused.
Nh. Hauser then spoke again. 81 hope
said he. that four big Commissioners
little fireman. All that you should de-
afraid Of his lawyer
minutes, replied TO Mr.. Hauser's re
mark, and said he hoped that Munford
would be given a fair trial and every adj
he had made a motion to allow Mr.. Young
to ask questions, and continued, tuliH.
to the other members Of the Board
Why are you fellows afraid to second
my motion? Have you something which
you desire to conceal? I hope not, but it
looks very much as though there u.s."
Mr.. Young, becoming angry at the ac-
ton of the Commissioners Said@s1f there
is anything of a ~scandalous nature behind
this thing it should be brought cut. You
COMMISSIONERS should know all about 1t.
We want to lay this whole thing before
the Board and show just what caused this
unpseasantneSs between the Chief and
We want to show h state OF
affairs that has existed for several months
past
Commissioner Lally said that the Chief
was not on. trial. and that only the
charges against Mnmford should be in.
v~estigated.
After a number Of Chief Applegate's
witnesses had been examined. the Chief
addressed the Board and said=ssThis
man Mumford has openly refused to obey
my orders. I cannot tell but what he
thing we may know may be tina he viii
abuse VOL Commissioners. My people
been residents of Hoboken for sew
years back; He had no right to call
able woman. / would like to know what
right he has to call me a ieafer. / never
a day in my life. The like Of a
duck like him should be found guilty and
punished. He has not heard the last of
1--WE can stand all that you can. retort-
ed Counsellor Young. I'VE have nothing
to conceal. Which cannot be said OF the
Some more discussion followed and
was called and asked if he could
disprove- the charges against him.
Il can d.sprove them by one Of It'll Inen
who has testified here tonight. I would
Ike to state what led up to this trout
Counsellor Young would not permit
Mumford to talk n further. saying that
he wanted time. President Kuper insist
ed that the hearing should proceed. but
by advice Of his counsel declined
testify.
a recess Of ten minutes was then TAX
en-. and when the Commissioners reas-
sembled an voted with the exception &of