Evening star., 1897-06-16
POLICE TRIAL BOARD
Open Proceedings at the Sessions Held
Today.
Charges Against Policemen and the
Evidence Submitted-The Results
to BE Announced.

Abetc wis nOtnlng IN the nature OF Stal
chamber proceedings about today's session
OF the police trial board, for all the win
COWS and doors of the room In the sixth
precinct. where the session was held, were
wide open. and reporters and others were
invited In to hear what was going on.
Lieuts. Vernon, Swindells and Hefrner were
members Of the board. and the trouble they
have in hearing of the trials and tribula-
tions of the officers possibly accounts for
the bald heads of Lieuts. Heffner and
swindeiis. In cases where only officers
figure the evidence is given in a straight
forward manner and without much trouble
But I'm cases of citizens there Is usually
such a feeling manifested against the Off
GERS that patience as well as time is ex-
hausted. Policeman May of the second
precinct was first called to answer a charge
OF debt, and he said he was guilty. The
debt was for $17.49, n grocery bill, and
Herman Ramon, the grocer. was present
to state his case
Il owe the BILL said the officer. land I'm
responsible for it,
He explained that he had been making
monthly payments on the bill, but because
CT his heavy insurance last month he had
to skip payment. He will settle the bill
by paying s. month.
When Policeman 8. E. Herndon Of the
first precinct was called the evidence show
ed that so far as the privates are con-
cerned all Is not smooth sailing in Lieut..
Amiss' precinct. Policeman Cowne had
made complaint against his brother officer,
and the charge alleged that he had gone in
an street lunch room and drank a cup of
coffee. 1t was charged that he was in the
lunch room eight minutes. but this he de-
MED. He was In there only about four min
utes, he said.
He drank cup of coffee, he said, and
then left the place. The lunch room was
nearly two squares of his beat, and 1t was
few minutes after 6 o'clock when he was
there.
rs liquor sold thereY the accused officer
was asked.
No SIR" was his response. "If 1t had
been a liquor saloon / would not have been
charged. have never drank liquor in my
life"
officer Herndon said he had been having
chlls, and he thought tie coffee would
stimulate him.
Policeman Cowne had timed him and so
had Policeman Kenny. Two other police
men we're witnesses, but they were not
called.
Just why this case, involving an appar-
emily factional fight, was brought before
there is a story which Is of interest to the
officers. Two policemen were complained
again st some weeks ago by Inspector Pear
sen, and it has been suspected that Hern
don had something to do with that case.
During todays hearing the accused officer
wanted to refer to that case, but he was
promptly told that that affair had nothing
to do with this case. rr -.
Policeman Bloom of the sixth precinct
was complained against by an insurance ad-
juster named H. G. Atwood of Boston be-
cause he did not report an accident that
happened on the street. The officer has
large beat, and 1t was not surprising to
his brother officers that he had not heard of
some little accident His case will be heard
tomorrow.
Robert L. Carroll colored policeman
who does duty in the eighth precinct, was
complained against for neglect of duty and
alleged intoxication. Mrs Mary Bowie
Chipnian, who lives on Caroline street, was
the complainant in the case. The officer
guage, and he had been fined In the Police
Court, but Mrs. Chapman explained that
she had no ill-feeling toward him. But his
conduct as q policeman had been unbear-
able. She complained more particularly
about the manner in which he walked and
twirled his baton in asserting his authority.
On one occasion, while he was of duty, she
smelled liquor on his breath, while on an
other occasion she thought he did not walk
any too straight. Then she charged that
on one occasion her front door and windows
were left open at night, but the officer did
not notify her about it, Another charge
was that the officer, in conversati tion with
her about boys standing on the street. had
said to her: ''Pll arrest every d one Of
them '--s5
Attorney Oscar Nauck was present as
counsel for the officer, and he questioned
the several witnesses who appeared against
his client. On the other hand, the pG1ice-
man made his explanation and called sey-
eral witnesses, who gave corroborative
proof. The disposition of the cases will be
made known later.