The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-02
POLICE BOARD PROBING
is NOW UNDER WAY BY THE INvES-
TIGATING COMMITTEE.
AttOrneys-Patrolme Moore and
Butcher Heard.


on investigation and impeachment was
begun last night in the Council chamber
before a crowd composed Of members of
the Council, ex-members of the police
and fire forces and members of the Board
of Safety. There were a few citizens pres
ent. The committee hearing this investi-
cation Is composed of William II. Wheel
er, chairman, Albert Daller and s. v.
Perrott, the latter being the Democratic
member appointed in place of William w.
knight. who is out Of the city. The men,
bers of the committee occupied places be-
hind the presidents desk.
The investigation last night brought out
several interesting things during the ex-
animation of ex-Patrolmen Rinker and
Butcher. the only two witnesses placed on
the stand. The principal point raised by
the prosecution and shown by the testi-
mony of the two witnesses was that the
police officials had issued orders prevent
ing policemen from carrying out provi-
sions of certain laws,
Before any testimony was taken and just
as the investigation was to be opened an
interesting circumstance was brought out.
Chairman Wheeler said the committee had
agreed that w. n. Harding should act as
counsel for the committee. Mr.. Perrott
stated that he did not know the commit
tee had held such a meeting and added
that the city charter did not contemplate
employing outside attorneys, but did pro-
vide that the city attorney should be the
legal adviser for all the departments or the
city Mr.. Wheeler and Ear. Daller said
the city was not obligated to pay Attorney
Harding Still Mr.. Perrott was obstreper-
Gus and insisted on Deputy City Attorney
Bell, who was present, conducting the IN
yestigation. Attorney Harding then arose
and said he had been employed by the
majority of the committee to carry on this
investigation and was ready to proceed.
He said If MIR. Perrott had any objections
he should state them and they could go
on record.
NO CLAIM ON CITY.
Mr.. Perrott then insisted a motion
being made by one of the Republican men,
bers that Attorney Harding should act as
the counsel. Mr.. Harding said this was
not necessary, and he waived all claim
against the city for payment for his serv-
ices He then said he would carry on the
investigation under the provisions OF the
city charter and the resolution which was
adopted by the Council the first of this
year. He said the investigation would be
directed to the official acts of the Board Of
Safety. without reference to politics.
Deputy City Attorney Bell, who had been
on hand to act for the prosecution, accord
ing to Mr.. Perrotts statement then arose
and said he would represent the Board OF
Safety and cross-examine the witnesses for
the defense Mr.. Perrott asked for a sep
aration of the witnesses, which was agreed
to by Attorney Harding. The witnesses on
hand were ex-Patrolmen Rinker, Pardee,
Stoddard. Butcher, Cox and Moore. Moore
was the first witness called. His testimony
in brief was as follows: Has lived in In
dianapolis for twenty-five years, and was
a member of the police force for five years
and nine months, being discharged Dec. 10.
1899. He said he had never been repri-
manded, but was before Superintendent
Quigley once or twice. On the day or the
state and county election, in 1898, he said
he was called into the superintendent Of
fee. and the superintendent told him he
had never paid anything into the campaign
fund. Moore said he told the superinten-
dent he was never in the habit Of doing so.
whereupon the superintendent told him II
he expected anything from the administra-
ton he had better go and dig up the
money. Moore said he got the money, IS,
and gave 1t to Isaac King.
MOORES STATEMENT.
Moore then told of the superintendent
having I'm his Office one day told him he
understood he was dissatisfied and had
criticised the superintendent. Moore said
he was In Harry Walkers saloon and had
told several men that he was removed to
North Indianapolis. where he was looking
after the dead" Moore claimed he never
refused to obey an order and was never
criticised for being derelict in his duties.
He said he had received orders while on
| the force to watch Wachstetter's and
Pink's saloons on Indiana avenue and that
| Superintendent Quigley had told him to
| tell Wachstetter that If he didn't support
| Taggart the police would break him up in
I..a4 aat1 hA ha6 rrIA 20
watch the place closely and If he could
| catch Wachstetter violating the law to
send him to the station. Moore said that
| out of the ten saloons In his district he
| had orders to watch but two, the ones
named. Moore said instructions had been
| issued that no arrests should be made for
violations of the liquor law except in those
places to be watched, and IL there were
| any violations noted reports should be
made Of them in writing. Moore said he
| knew 1t would never do to make an arrest.
| as the saloon keeper would then have him
removed from the district. Moore said he
| reported John Huegele, Herb Green, Harry
| Walker, Henry Smith and others for vio-
lating the law, but there were no arrests
ordered.
! Moore told of the order issued prohibiting
| patrolmen from entering saloons unless
| called in to stop fight or other disturb
| ance.
did you know the statutes made 1t
| necessary for you to enter such places and
| no one had any power to suspend such an
order?" asked Attorney Harding.
Yes. sir, 1 did
well. then. why did you refuse to do
| your sworn duty?"
| POSITION IN JEOPARDY.
ST would have jeopardized my position
| by entering such places"
| On cross-examination Attorney Bell
| brought out the fact that Moore had been
| guilty of drinking while on duty. He
] denied ever having trouble with Saloon
! Keeper Huegele. Moore told of paying a
| twenty-dollar assessment for campaign
| purposes last fall in installments of $40,
which were paid to Thomas Hedian and
| Captain Kruger. Mr.. Perrott then asked
| the force for political reasons and he
| promptly answered, Yes, sir" In ex-
| planning his reasons for thinking so he said
| he believed the superintendent had per-
| sonal feeling against him.
Daniel A. Butcher was the next witness
| called and said he had been a resident of
| this city six years. He was member of
| the police force for three years and five
| months. In answer TO questions regarding
| his dismissal the witness claimed he had
never been criticised or reprimanded by the
| Board OF Safety before he was discharged
| Had you ever been notified by the Board
| OF Safety that you were not an efficient
policeman" asked Attorney Harding.
| mo, sir.
Before being discharged he said he was
running the ninth district. Butcher told
| of having arrested Merit OConnell. sa-
loon keeper on Bates street, for violating
| the Nicholson law. The superintendent
| complimented him. he said, for making the
arrest and told him to catch him again II