The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-21
THE ACCUSER ACCUSED
An Unexpected Airing of Sergeant
Robertson'S Past.
A Mild Sensation I'm the Court of
Trial officer Pugh During the
Whom Charges Had Been Prefer
red - The Defendants Dismissed.

A mild sensation occurred in Trial on
Ger Pugh's court at Police Headquarters
yesterday during the course of a hearing
of charges preferred against Policemen
George W. Mason and d. o. Hayes. of the
Fifth precinct. by Acting Sergeant John
W. Robertson. who is better known as a
night inspector of police. Under exami-
nation Robertson was forced to admit that
he had served FIVE years in the District
Reform School and that when he was ap-
pointed on the police force he made an
affidavit that he had never been indicted
and convicted of a crime The Police
Court records were put in evidence. They
showed that on March 70. 1878. Robertson
was sentenced to the reform school after
having been convicted of larceny.
Mason and Hayes were charged by Rob-
ertson with an infraction of police rules.
He alleged that the policemen while on
duty between and o'clock on the morn
ing OF January S entered the bakery of
Herman Krahlng. at 246 Eleventh Street
southeast, and remained there for period
Of fifteen minutes. Robertson testified to
that effect when he took the stand against
the policemen.
Both Mason and Hayes admitted being
in the bakery. but claimed their stay was
limited TO four minutes. The object OF
their visit they said, was 10 investigate
reports made by Krahling of the theft of
bread. They were corroborated by Krahl
ing, who stated that he had complained of
bread thefts. and added that the police
men were al his bakery about four or five
fvrv nsh nr
witnesses, including a baker and driver
swore that the policemen were not at the
bakery more than four or five minutes.
Attorney Mason y. Richardson. who ap-
peared for the defendants. contended that
the statements Of his clients and their wit
nesses should be of more weight than
those of the complainant He then sought
TO assail the reputation, character, and
credibility of Acting Sergeant Robertson
q competent witness. Robertson was
asked if he had ever served a term In the
reform school, and replied afirmatiyely.
When asked If the sentence was imposed
after conviction for crime. Robertson re-
piled negatively. Ii was his opinion he
said. that he had been sentenced because
of incorrigibility. He was only eight
years old at the time he stated. and could
not remember the circumstances. The
Police Court record was then produced. II
showed that Robertson was eleven instead
of eight years old when sentenced and
that the charge was larceny. Robertson
was then asked If he did not make aft
davit, when appointed on the force, that he
had never been indicted and convicted of
crime. He admitted that such was the
case, and claimed that he never knew I'M
I'll he was shown the Police Court record
that the offence charged against him was
other than incorTigibility.
No decision in the case against Police |
men Mason and Hayes will be returned |
for several days.
Recently when Policeman ]. c. Heide |
was charged with neglect of duty, he ap- |
pealed 10 Major Sylvester claiming that |
his word was as good as that OF Acting |
Robertson. Heide is said to have |
called attention 10 the fact that Robert |
son had been in the reform school. He |
was, II is said, compelled to substaD- |
tiate his statement by producing records. |
Major Sylvester, however, took no action /
In the matter. claiming that he could see
no reason why he should hold man re-
sponsible for the indiscretions of his
youth. In considering the charges against /
Heide Major Sylvester recommended that
they be dismissed. and yesterday the Com
missioners approved the recommendation.
When seen last night in reference TO
the statements made against Robertson
AT the trial board proceedings Major Syl-
vester stated that he contemplated no ac-
ton against the officer. and added that in
his opinion no action was necessary. He
said that he regarded Acting Sergeant
Robertson as an efficient officer and
thought It unjust that his past should be
brought up on an occasion where police
men aimed TO refute charges made against
hem.