The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-12
POLICE MUST SETTLE DEBTS.
WILL DE DISMISSED FROM THE
FORCE 1T THEY DO NOT PAY UP.

Drop One Sergeant, Which VIII
Make n General Change in Duties.
Three Horses VIII BE Dispensed
with.
The Police Commission spent two hours
yesterday afternoon hearing complaints
Of creditors against about twenty police
men, most of whom were notified six
months ago to pay their debts If they de-
sired to remain In the department. 20
! licemen S. J. farrell and J. B. York failed
| to comply, however and were notified
that their services were no longer re-
CURED.
| Delinquent policemen have made things
rather unpleasant for the commissioners
some time on account of complaints pour
| ing in every month, and I'm most cases,
| against the same men. with a view to
| stopping the Influx Of bills, which con-
sumed time at every meeting, the COM
missioners notified the policemen they
would have to satisfy their creditors with
in the time stated. 1t was not desired
to discharge any without first giving them
| ample opportunity to fix the accounts
which were an annoyance to the officials.
| The matter moved along quietly until a
recent meeting, when 1t was called Up
| and yesterday was set as the time to as
certain II the order had been complied
with.
Creditors holding claims which the COM
missioners ordered settled, were summon
ed to appear at the barracks al 4 o'clock.
AL evidently, responded. since the rear
| portico leading TO the commissioners Of
| flee was pretty well filed with grocers
renting agents, physicians and various
! others to put in a good word for some po-
| liceman. While they were jolly and did
! not express any i'll feeling toward any
! body, 1t was apparent from random re-
marks that they had long since crossed
the river of endurance, and We're linger-
ing in the valley Of discomfort. It was I'M
derstood the commissioners would take
! cognizance of no accounts except those
contracted subsequent to the organization
of the Police Commission In January, 1897.
! Quite a number of claimants were, there
fore excluded, though the delinquent Of
fcers were advised to adjust what they
owed.
The examination wac conducted by first
calling the delinquent officer, who remain
ed in the commissioners Office until his
creditors had all appeared. 1t was ruled
at the outset, by Chairman Karow, that
il would require a judgment at law where
an officer denied an account and until this
was obtained, no action would be taken.
As the creditors appeared, therefore, the
first thing after they stated their complaint
was to ask the policeman if the claim was
! just A quick answer dismissed the ac-
count one way or the other, so that those
waiting were not delayed much after the
work begun. BY o'clock the work was
! finished, and the commissioners were ready
n a haf har oes
| found Policemen FARRELL and York had
| failed to comply with orders and being
unable to give a satisfactory excuse for
not doing so. were discharged. Chief Nc
| Dermott did not notify them, however, I'M
| till they returned to the barracks from
| their divisions at II o'clock
The commissioners have evidently deter
mined on a rigorous policy in regard to
policemen not paying their just debts. They
! Will continue enforcing the rule. which
| does not require payment within any spe-
| ckfed time, but prohibits delay that causes
| creditors to worry the commissioners with
| complaints. They say the police are paid
/ by public funds and for that reason, should
| not be allowed to impose on tax payers. 1t
Is not difficult for an officer TO obtain cred
! 1t by virtue of his position, and If allowed
to contract debts carelessly, would soon In
| jure the department
| There viii soon be a change among the
| sergeants in accordance with a resolution
| providing for five instead of six. Besides
| the removal of one man from the desk, the
| change also means that three horses will
| be dispensed with, as there viii only be
| three sergeants riding divisions. Commits
| sioner Gleason was requested to see which
horses can be best spared, and to sell them
| at once This will make quite a saving, 1t is
| stated, and provide probably as good SER
| vice as is now rendered.
By the change there will be two SER
| geants at the desk, who will serve twelve
| hours, while the three mounted will be on
duty eight hours. The mounted officers
| will be detailed to the three reliefs but
| will only serve four hours at one time
which Is considered long enough if the
| horses get sufficient rest. The new ar
rangement provides for a sergeant on the
street continuously. 1t may be some time
before the change is put into effect, how
ever, as there are matters yet to be ar
| ranged
After being notified of their discharge
| ex-Ofhcers York and farrell called at the
Morning News office to make a statement
| regarding their removal
This is the result Of political work
against us by Chief McDermott and Com
missioner Gleason" said York, because
! we are members of the A. p. A"
mo, not Commissioner Gleason" said
| farrell. 1T is all on account Of Chief Nc
Dermott- he has been trying to get us
/ SNA "a AiiS dSfdA ALAcAAN some time, ana mas
at last accomplished his purpose"
Il am in debt to but one man." said Mr..
| York, land that account was made fifteen
years ago. Since have been on the po-
lice force I have always endeavored TO
meet my obligations. which is
known to every man with whom
I deal That should have
been picked out from among at least
| twenty others and discharged, seems rain
| er singular / am member of the A. 2.
a., and do not deny it, This is the reason
| l was discharged"
'There will be something to follow This
! treatment we have received" said ex-
Officer FARRELL Il have been on the police
| force seven years, during which time there
have been no charges against me NV
! discharge is attributable TO my amliation
with the A. =. a. The chief has always
had it in for me on this account"
MUST CHANGE ELECTRIC FANS.
Danger From Fire md Damage TO
Fans Unless Hooks Are Altered.