The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-11-09
Petition of Henry A. Schneider a
Former Call Member Of Hose
One Heard by City Council
Committee
NO ACTION TAKEN
ON THE PETITION
In Executive Session the Commit
tee Voted to Recommend that
Petitions of E. N. Sweet and
G. w. Peel Be Grandchildren
Petitions Considered

The City Council committee on fire
department gave a hearing last night
on the petition of Henry A. Schneider,
former call member Of Hose one.
Mr.. Schneider resigned from the fire
department June 2, few hours after
he had been arrested on a charge of
exposing his person. Schneider was
tried in the Central District Court,
found guilty, and sentenced to the
House of Correction for a term of four
months He appealed to the Superior
Court. The case went over to the Au-
gust term, and was again postponed
until the October term. A day or two
ago Schneider received a letter from
his attorney, Charles A. Merrill stat
ing that the case had been placed on
file, as the government did not consider
there was sufficient evidence to convict.
Mr.. Schneider petitioned for a hear
ing on his case a week or two ago, and
last night he appeared before the COM
mittee and stated that he wanted to get
back into the fire department. He con-
sidered his request reasonable, from
the fact that his case had been thrown
out Of court.
He claimed further that his resigna-
ton was secured under pressure. He
found he would have to resign or ''be
kicked out of the department" Schnei-
der went on to state that the police
claimed he had been In the vicinity
of the place where he was arrested
the Sunday previous, but he was pre-
pared to prove by Is or more persons
that he was not. He had been a mem
Der of the fire department II years.
Capt. George L. Robbins of Hose
1 was called by Chief Vaughn, who
started to ask him questions about
his knowledge Of the case, but Alder
man Lichtenfels objected. and asked
that the witness tell his own story.
Capt. Robbins said he was told Of
Schneider's arrest by officer Sullivan
few hours after Schneider was
taken to the police station. He re-
ported at once to Deputy Chief George
S. Coleman, who in turn submitted the
matter to Chief Vaughn. The latter
sent instructions to Capt. Robbins to
go to the station house, and If Schnel-
der was guilty to ask for his resigna-
ton. Capt. Robbins said he went to
Schneider's cell in company with Off
Ger Newton, and stated what he had
been instructed to say to the prisoner.
| He secured pen, ink and paper, and
| Schneider wrote his resignation. He
did not tell Schneider he must resign
or be forced out Of the department,
neither did Schneider refuse to write
his resignation.
Capt. David A. Matthews said that
previous to June 2 a number Of com
plants were received in effect that
some man or men had conducted them
selves indecently in the neighborhood
of the Isolation Hospital, on Belmont
Street. officer Power was detailed to
investigate the matter, and arrested
Schneider, who was booked on the
Mr.. Schneider stated that his wife
had visited the Isolation Hospital and
talked with women there and they said
he was not the man seen by them on
previous occasions.
Councilman Murphy asked Capt
Matthews if a man should be convicted
simply on testimony Of an officer. Capt.
Matthews remarked that the defendant
had practically admitted his guilt and
that his own statement was considered
pretty good evidence. Mr.. Lichtenfels