Evening journal., 1899-08-08
CHAMBERS EXONEUATED.
POLICE COMMISSION DECIDES HE
ACTED RIGHT IN DURoSS CASE.

AC Ed RIGHT IN DUROSS CASE.
COMMISSIONERS CLARKsON AND
PYLE THOUGHT HE ovERsTEP-
PED HIS DUTY SOMEWHAT-OF-
FICER HARRY MASSEY SUSTAIN
ED-OTHER MATTERS.
At he meeting Of the Police Com
missioners last night the case Of Police
Captain Chambers, charged with
oversterping his duty, was disposed of
and the officer exonerated.
Much discussion arose over the dis
position Of the case, and Commission
ers Pyle and Clarkson were deter
mined that Captain Chambers did ez-
ceed his duty somewhat in the Du-
Ross matter, while Mr.. Hart declared
that the Board Of Police Commission
ers was not the proper tribunal to
consider whether the captain did rigtt
in passing judgment on the meat.
Mr. Hart notified the board that Du-
Ross had already taken civil action
against Captain Chambers. If we
were to pass a resolution condemning
Captain Chambers for judging the
meat it would be used as evidence
against him in the civil action"
The following resolution was, how
ever adopted, Messrs. Pyle and Clark
son voting for it, and Mr.. Hart in the
negative:
"As it appears from evidence be-
fore the board that Daniel DuRoss was
selling meat in violation Of the laws
regulating the street markets. it is the
opinion Of this board that Captain
Chambers, having compelled Daniel
DuRoss to either close his stand or be
arrested for refusing or declining to
do so and there rested his case, no
omplaint would be considered against
him, but as he appeared to pass on
he quality Of the meat, we are Of the
pinion that he exceeded his authority
n that particular, but as his whole
ction toward DuRoss was so gentle
manly and courteous we feel constrain-
d to vote an exoneration."
Another charge accusing the cap
ain OF giving out the information
bout the case to the newspapers was
not sustained.
The case Of Policeman J. II. Massey,
who was reported to have engaged in
street fight with a prisoner while
two other policemen looked on, was
also taken up by the board, and Offi-
er Massey's actions we're sustained. A
esolution was adopted by the commits
sion, which stated that after care
III examination had been made, it was
ound that Massey was acting strictly
= the discharge OF his duty and the
other officers took only such action
as was Necessary. President Pyle in
discussing the matter before the reso-
Tuition was adopted. said that if a man
lis disorderly and refused to go with an
officer he should be tapped with the
lclub, as that is what it is given to the
policeman for. In this case he said
Massey would have been justified in
lstriking John Cassidy, the prisoner
with his (the officer's) club until the
lprisoner submitted.
A communication was read from the
lsergeants Of police asking permission
or two teams Of the Police Department
to play a game of ball on August q
The winning team is to play the team
If the Reading police force, which viii
,e the guest of the local department II
, September. The request was granted
; The policemen were also given permis
sion to charge admission to the gam
q with the understanding that the police
men are not to sell the tickets.
. Commissioner Clarkson announced
new rule last night which will be ap
preciated by the officers on the force
l. It is that hereafter policemen will no
J. be fined for neglecting their duty, bu
will be suspended without pay.
A communication was read fror
Superintendent Aydon calling the at
tention of the board to the danger c
having the police, fire and telegrap
lines so near electric light and trolle
wires. The communication was fles
Frank Cuzzo was confirmed as spt
cial watchman at the request of tn
n people living in the vicinity Of Secon
t nd Madison streets.
;. Chief Dolan was instructed to g.
n stimates for planting the police an
fire boxes.