The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-04
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
Pay Asked for Injuries Received in
Aiding a Policeman.
A Citizen struck and His Hand
Mashed While Holding Prisoner
Estimates for Supplemental street
Cleaning Work Submittcd-A Good
Word for Policeman brennan

Davis & Tucker attorneys for William
H Hardy, recently presented claim 10
the Commissioners for compensation Tor
injuries received by Mr.. Hardy while as
sisang a police officer TO arrest a man near
the Baltimore and Ohio station. The cir
cumstances of the case are thus recited by
the attorneys:
"Mr. Hardy, while conductor in the
employ of the Capital Traction Company.
and while on his car. witnessed an assault
by one Charles Chase, colored man, upon
Frank Cross. a motorman, also in the en-
pIoy of the Capital Traction Company, at
the terminus of the street railway line at
the Baltimore and Ohio station. in this
city. Chase assaulted Cross with a knife,
cutting the latter in the face.
Officer Gordon who was standing at
the Baltimore and Ohio station. seeing the
crowd which had gathered when the assault
was made, approached, and in attempting
TO arrest Chase, was also assaulted by the
latter. the officers coat sleeve and coat
being cut. Upon the officer attempting to
arrest Chase he ran, and the policeman
called upon the bystanders TO catch him.
Thereupon Hardy, who was on his car,
Jumped therefrom, and after pursuing
Chase for some ten or twelve yards, caught
him. Hardy threw hin to the ground. put
ting his foot upon the wrist of the hand
which contained the knife. and holding
down his head, had the man under full
control. Policeman Gordon then came up
behind Hardy, leaned over him. and STRUCK
with his stick at the head of the prisoner.
which, as stated, Hardy was pressing to
the ground. Instead of striking the pris-
oner.s head, the officer struck Hardy's hand
on the upper side, MASKING the bone be-
tWeen the forefnger and the thumb. Hardy
exclaimed:
Why did you hit me?'
The policeman replied: Did hi; you?
This was all that was said. The off,
Ger caught the wrist of the prisoners
hand, which was held down by Hardys
foot, and, striking the hand. made the
prisoner drop his knife Hardy then arose
and surrendered the prisoner to the effi-
Ger.
Mr.. Hardy has been attended by Dr.
Sinclair Bowen, who states that one of
the larger bones of the right hand was
fractured, the fragments being much dis
placed, and the soft tissue being much
swollen. Mr.. Hardy was totally disabled
up to week ago, but since that time has
been endeavoring to go about his work.
The performance of his duty is attended
with much pain, and it is by no means
certain that he will be able TO hold his
position as conductor
In view of the facts that this man,
when called upon by the officer to assist
in making the arrest. performed a duty
which the law imposed upon him, we think.
that yeu will at once recognize the Jus
tice Of his claim for compensation Major
Sylvester has done so, but has stated that
he sees no way of compromising him ex-
cept for services rendered, and he cannot
see his way clear to recommend the pay
ment TO him of more than $50 or $40. This,
We think, you will agree with US would
be grossly inadequate compensation for
the injuries that Mr.. Hardy has sustained,
which were attended with much suffering
less of time, and expense for medical
service"