The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-01
AUTHORITY OF POLICEMEN
Result of Complaint Recently
Made by Postal Clerk.
stopped Mt Night and Questioned
About n BnE He Was Carrying
Homc-His Statement of the Case
Major Sylvcstcr's Recommended
ton to the District Commissioner.

w. n. Reed. of As Quincy Street north
east, recently complained to the Commits
sioners that he had been improperly
stopped on the street at night by po-
liceman and forced to tell the contents of
a sack which he was carrying to his home
nearby. Mr.. Reed explained to the Com
missioners that he was postal clerk. en-
gagged in the railroad service, and that he
was Obliged to pass frequently. late at
night, from the depot to his home, and
that it was very annoying to be stopped
and questioned in the manner described.
Mr.. Reeds letter to the Commissioners was
published at the time of its writing.
The matter being referred to the Police
Department for consideration and report.
Albert C. Lynn. one of the policemen
complained of by Mr. Reed, made the fol-
lowing statement to the Superintendent:
ION the night in question. May II. 1900
about midnight, officer Stoll and l were
standing on the corner of North Capitol
and Quincy Streets. when the man Who
turned out to be Mr.. Reed passed within
about twenty feet of us. He moved noise-
lessly and rapidly alons IN a westerly di-
rection, and after he had passed we no.
ticei that he carried an old sack contain
ing something that appeared to be tools.
As neither Stoll nor l had ever seen this
man before. We decided to catch up with
him end ascertain. If possible. who he was.
Il thereupon mounted my wheel and
rode up to the man, and in a gentlemanly
manner asked if he lived in the neigh
borho0d. and what he was carrying in the
sack. He Indignantly wanted to know IL
this was not free country. and II l knew
who he was. and asked by what right
he'd stopped him on the street. / replied
that l was an officer, showing my badge
at the same time, and l tried to explain
to him the necessity OF finding out the
nature of suspicious-looking bundles car
ried through the street late at night. He
finally decided to show me his badge.
which was on his vest under his coat. at
the same time saying that he lived nearby.
! told him that If he had given me the
desired information as soon as asked for
he would not have been delayed at all.
Il stopped this man because his general
appearance and actions were such to
cause suspicion. I might state that on
night or two previous to this incident Of
ficer Stoll and l stopped very Innocent
looking expi ess wagon and found it to
contain about $50 worth Of stolen goods"
In transmitting Mr.. Lynn's report to the
Commissioners Richard Sylvester Major
and Superintendent of Police. adds
About the time referred to in the let
ter of Mr.. Reed. and for a week or more
prior thereto, Police. Headquarters was in
possession of information that depredatiols
had been committed in neighboring cities
and towns by dangerous highwaymen.
housebreakers. and burglars BY direction
of the Superintendent members Of the
force doing duty at night were detailed in
plain clothing. to provide for any con-
tingency which might arise through the
visits of the class referred to in this juris-
diction
The time referred to in this complaint
was a late hour. and an unusual one. for
strangers to be seen passing in the suburb
an districts. The suspicion of the officers
was aroused, and they did nothing more
than to make enquiry concerning the per-
son who was accosted, in this wise dis
playing that vigilance which is necessary
TO ensure protection to lives and property
of citizens living in the outside sections Of
the city. where the police force is limited
and where many crimes have been COM
mitted.
THE officers had no intention of perpe-
trating an act of injustice and wrong. but
simply requested the gentleman to disclose |
his identity. which. after much persuasion |
he did displaying badge. to which he
alludes. which he had pinned to his sus-
pender under his vest.
with limited police force and an ex-
tensive territory to supervise. II should be
regarded as creditabie to members of the
force when they are found on the high
ways endeavoring to do what they con-
slider their duty. Disrespect, harshness, |
and brutality will not be countenanced in |
the department. and | feel certain. If the i
facts are as stated to me. that the COM |
plainant. as a good citizen, Will feel that
no wrong was intended. and that his To-
cality was being given strict police serv-
ice
"On the other hand. If this report is not
deemed satisfactory. / will have the Of
ficer cited before the Trial Board for a
hearing when all the facts, doubtless, will
be brought out
The report of the Superintendent has
been approved by Commissioner Macfar- |
land and it is understood that his asso-
ciates Will concur in the same view of the |
case.