The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-01-05
PatrOlman Ritch Exceeded
His Authority
A SALOON LICENSE REVOKED
REPORT OF HEALTH OFFICER ON
DECEMBER DEATHS
Condition Of the Most Important City
Funds-Asphalt Samples Sent
to Philadelphia

Police Officer Ritch will be tried before
the next session of the board of police
commissioners on charges of serious
nature preferred against him by George
C. Lem, an Americanized Chinaman.
The latter filed an affidavit with the
board at it's regular session yesterday
and the chief was instructed to notify
Ritch to appear at the next meeting
and show cause why he should not be
dismissed is the charges are proved.
In his affidavit Lem recites that he is
24O1s East First street, and that he is
an interpreter. He has been in the
United States for twenty-five years and
has resided in Los Angeles twelve years.
On December 21st, about $3.50 p. M,
while he was seated in his place of bust
ness talking to two white men, Ritch
came in and, with much profanity, or
dered the men to leave. He then, accord
ing to- the affidavit, searched the desk
of the merchant, threw papers on the
floor; tore up other papers, opened
drawers and carried away two letter
files containing letters and bills. He
said he was searching for lottery tickets,
but found none.
On December goth, while Lem was in
front of his place of business, about to
mount his wheel, Ritch accosted him
and, in spite of his remonstrances. vio-
lently searched his person, saying he
was looking for lottery tickets. When
Lem protested, the policeman told him
he was under arrest and took him to
First and Main streets, but instead of
locking him up he released him there
Lem asks the board to investigate the
matter. In his affidavit he names w. A.
Gordon, 24S East First street, and Julius
Spann of the Alcatraz Paving company
as witnesses.
REVOKED THE LICENSE
AS a result of an investigation of the
fight which occurred on the night of
December 26 in the Exchange saloon. at
First and Los Angeles streets, in which
a man had his skull fractured, the police
commission revoked the license of that
place, which was in the name of Joe
Mosher & Co. Reports as to the charac
ter of the place were filed by Sergeant
Smith and Patrolmen McGraw, Walk
er. Ritch, Cox, White, Haupt and Davis.
All of the reports were that the saloon was
one of the lowest dives in that part of
the city, and that fights there were of
frequent occurrence.
G. H. Holmes filed an affidavit in which
he recited his experience in the place.
He said that he had been drinking there
and had been seized with illness. He
was taken to rear room, where he be-
came unconscious. When he regained
his senses he found Joe Chambers with
his hands in his pocket. His money and
watch were taken from him by some
person, he did not know whom, and
afterward, when he had demanded them,
he was assaulted and knocked sense
less. He and Chambers were arrested,
and later he secured his watch and S.
of his money. He claimed to have been
drugged, so that he could be easily
robbed.
J. Conrad, who is interested in the
saloon, appeared before the board and
future If he was given another oppor-
tuUibys LIS tilc COIuIillSlSOu IeIuSGQ 10
do, and the license was revoked.
The vacancy on the police force caused
by the resignation of G. ]. Roller was
filled by the election Of Pascual Hiriart.
In his application for appointment the
latter swore that he is 30 years of age,
a native Of Bayonne, France. He has
lived here since 1880 and was naturalized
seven years ago. He is unmarried and
his occupation is stated as that Of a
clerk. His residence is at the St. Elmo
hotel.
On petition of nearly all the field and
staff officers Of the local brigade, Ma
tional Guard of California, Leonard
Karrer, who has charge of the armory
was appointed special policeman. ].
w. Rogers was also appointed a special
officer.
The application of Charles D. Bozarth
for appointment as regular officer was
received and filed; also the application
of Frank Pabst for appointment as
special officer.
The following requests for transfers
of saloon licenses were referred to the
chief: L. e. Mittendorf and G. E. Rog-
ers from VIM. CAIRNS at 121 West First
street to themselves; also Herman
Hickman from Henry Fenton, at 626
Commercial street, to himself.
SWEEPING OF WET STREETS
1t has been decided by the inspector
Of street sweeping that on rainy nights
or when the streets are very wet from
day rains, there will be no street sweep
ing. Under such conditions it has been
found to he impossible for the sweeners
to clean the streets. The soft mud is
simply smeared over the pavement and
while portion of 1t is collected it is inn
possible to properly clean the street
This is not the fault Of the contractor
for he would have to use scrapers in
stead Of sweeps when the Streets are wet
Il he hoped to clean them. Monday night
the sweeping was suspended and notice