The herald., 1897-09-01
Police Commission Has a
Breezy Meeting
OFFICER JOHNSON cENsURED
COMMISSIONER oIBBoN STANDS
TO HIS GUNS
The "4o0' Saloon Investigated-A
Tilt Between the Mayor and Mr..
Wyman-Routine Business

Before q crowded house the police COM
missioners yesterday morning held their
inquiry into the charges against the no.
torious "40V' saloon, situated at Main
and Fourth streets, the proprietor OF
which, L. Reese, had been cited to ap-
pear and show cause why his license
should not be revoked for violations of
the Sunday and midnight closing ordi-
pances. At the last meeting of the COM
mksioners reports had been presented
by the chief from Officers johnson ana
Tyler stating that row had occurred
in front of the saloon shortly before 1
o'clock Sunday morning, the 22d ult. In
his report Johnson stated that although
he tried the back door and could not
get in, he heard the voices of men in
side the saloon, heard the cash register
ringing, and was satisfied that business
was being done" within. For an alleged
dereliotion Of duty in not forcing or de-
nandipg entrance when he believed that
the law was being violated, he, too, was
ordered to appear and show good reason
why he should not be disciplined. A
number OF police officers and sympathi-
zexs with Reese were on hand bright and
eardy. and the commission plunged into
the inquiry Immediately after prelim-
mary business had been disposed Of.
THE -FOUR HUNDRED"
The FIRST witness for the prosecution
WAS Officer Hensley, desk clerk at the
police station on the night of the figh.
in front of the saloon. He told of re-
ceiving a telephone message from the
Van Nuys hotel saying a fight was go
ing on in the street, and of sending Off
Ger Johnson down to investigate.
johnson was next sworn and told, his
story. On arrival at the scene Of the
row he found everything serene, and
knot Of men discussing the affair on the
sidewalk The crowd melted away at
his approach. and he was unable to find
out any Of the circumstances of the fight.
While standing in front OF the saloon
he heard the cash register ringing and
voices inside. About this time two men
came across the street and tried tha
front door, but were unable to get in.
They then started around the corner of
Fourth street toward the rear entrance.
women fell in behind, and with the officer
following, the procession moved to the
rear entrance in sort of alley back Of
the saloon.
The officer saw the various members
Of the party try the door and turn away.
unable to get in. Then he tried it him
self, with no better result and finally
came around to the front, where he met
Patrolman Tyler, the officer on the beat.
Tyler had heard of the row, but had
found that 1t was all over before any
policemen came upon the scene, and that
the combatants had been taken home.
johnson went back to the station and
made his report.
officer Tyler corroborated Johnson'a
statement in all particulars So far as
he knew, the fight had no connection
with the saloon and occurred out in the
street. On cross-questioning by Mr..
Gibbon, the officer admitted that he
knew the place had a bad reputation and
that little lunch counter, occupying
part Of the saloon building, was used as
an entrance to the bar-room after hours.
He had seen numbers of lewd women
and drunken men around there a vari-
GUS times and knew of al least one case
Of man being robbed in the place.
A. V. Barber, who wears deputy con-
stables star, gave testimony as to the
general character of the place and its
surroundings He had seen at least two
fights in or about the place, or rather in
a room in the rear Of the restaurant
where alleged meals were served with
liquor. This room is used in connection
with the saloon during the day, but after
~ o'clock the doorway is closed with cur
tains. AS to the saloon itself, witness
hadn't much to say, but expatiated