Evening journal., 1899-09-16
POLICE INACTIVITY.
The Commission Investigates
the Action of Officers.
sLUGGIsHEIss is ALLEGED

DELAY IN THE ARREST OF ED
WARD wINDER.
An investigation Of the actions Of
members of the Police Department was
begun by the Police Commission last
night, which may result disastrously
for some members of the force.
In pursuance with a resolution pass
ed at the meeting Of the commission
ers on Monday night a special meet
ing was held last evening to inquire
into the larceny of set OF harness
from Francis Vincent, of No. II West
Twenty-third street, on August 81, and
to ascertain if there was any inactivity
or sluggishness on the part of the Off
GERS in arresting the thief, and, if so,
where the responsibility rested.
The first witness summoned before
the board was Mr.. Vincent, who stated
that he first discovered the loss Of his
harness on August 81, but was not sat
isfied that it was stolen until Septem-
ber 2. on which day, at 2 o'clock in
the afternoon, he reported the matter
to Police Captain Kane. On Sunday
morning an officer came to his house
and Inquired into the case, and was
given what information that was in his
possession.
On that afternoon he told Captain
Kane that he suspected a colored man
named Edward Winder, who lived near
Sixth and Union streets. Policeman
Harry Massey was detailed to look up
the case and he, in company with Mr..
Vineent's son. drove about in the af-
ternoon searching for the man, but
were unable to find him. He heard
nothing more Of the case until he To-
Gated the harness on Friday, and re-
ported the matter to Captain Kane,
who sent an officer, who recovered the
harness. He was positive he gave
Winders name to Captain Kane on
Sunday afternoon.
Captain Kane was next called, who
stated that Mr. Vincent entered the
complaint to him on September 2, and
that he made the complaint out and
read it to the three section men that
night. He did not remember whether
he gave it to an officer or not, or
whether he read it out again on Sun
day morning. 1t was left on the board
that night, or should have been, as
such was customary. On Sunday he
gave the complaint to a third section,
tenth district man, and did not see it
again until September 8.
Mr.. Pyle then inquired if it was GUS
tomary to let a complaint of a larceny
case remain out for five days, to which
Captain Kane replied, that depends
upon circumstances" Captain Kane
stated that he had sent Officer Scott
out with Mr.. Vincent on Saturday night
TO visit pawn shops in search Of the
missing harness. On September he
had advised Mr.. Vincent to swear out
a warrant for Winder's arrest. He had
notified the officers three or four times
that Winder was the man wanted He
thought he had told Captain Chambers
on Sunday night about the theft, and
that Wnder was the man wanted, but
did not remember the conversation
that took place.
oficer Burchinal testified that the
complaint had been read to the fourth
section men on the night Of September
2 by Captain Chambers, and that he
BurchinaD had gone to Mr.. Vincent''
house to investigate, but he knew lit
tie about il. On Sunday evening HI
learned the suspected thief's name wa
'Widener," and that Mr.. Vincents sol
had talked to him. He made out hi
report on Sunday evening and ha'
given it to Sergeant Welsh, stating tn
facts he had learned. He received tn
complaint from Captain Chambers o.
Tuesday evening for his signature, AM
had carried it until Thursday or Fri
day. as Captain Chambers had toll
him there was no hurry about signin
il and he desired to gather additions
evidence. He did not remember hay
ing any conversation with Captai
Chambers about it.
Sergeant Black testified that the com
plant had been made on September
and had been handed to him on Sci
tember 3. on the day turn. He ha
given it to officer Sheehey for invest
cation. The complaint was returne
to him on Monday.
Sergeant Welsh stated that the con
plant had been read to the fourth SCI
tion men by Captain Chambers q
Saturday night. September 2. Offic'
Burchinal made out the report Of h
investigation on Sunday evening an
handed it to him. and he gave it
Captain Chambers at 10 o'clock Il
same night. After a search through Il