The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-11-20

The charges preferred against Cap
| tain Edward Kneller, of Hose company
| No. 6, by Permanent Man Frank DOM
| bacher were aired last night in the
common council chamber in the city
| hall, before the board of inquiry APP
| F.. L. Wormser.
Captain Charles Tropp, of Engine
| company No 4, was elected as chair
| man by the other members of the court,
all of whom were sworn in by Director
Wormser. The other members of the
board We're Captain Campbell, of Chem
| ical company No. 5; Captain Simrell,
| of Hose company No. 5; Captain Ruane,
of Hose company No. 8, and Captain
Brtley, of Hose company Nc. 1.
Dombacher was the first witness
sworn by the court, which has the
power of administering oaths. He tes-
titled at some length as to Kneller's
alleged remissness. He swore that
Kneller has been frequently off duty
at his home helping his wife. 1t de-
veloped from questioning that Knel-
ler's house adjoins the fire house be-
ing only fifteen feet away from the
side entrance.
Abused Horse.
DOmbacher swore that Kneller
abused one of the horses recently one
day while he CDombacher) was away
inflicting n bad cut on the back of the
animal. He charged Kneller with
serving beer at his house to the perma-
nent men, himself included, while they
were on duty.
Charges that Kneler had insulted
women who We're passing the hose
house and that he had purloined cer-
tain articles during the progress Of
the Florey & Brooks fire were ruled
out because these acts We're alleged to
have been committed more than thirty
days ago. The "ripper" bill provides
that charges against all policemen and
f1remen must be brought within thirty
days after the commission of the all
legged acts.
Mrs. l.. U. Griggs, who lives near the
fire house, swore that she had seen
kneller away from the hose house and
about his own home at various times
of the day and night, and that she had
seen the permanent men drinking in
his house. Mrs. j. Hartman testified
to having seen him abusing the horse
and Miss Kate Harland swore that she
had seen kneller about his house on
several occasions. One time he was
beating carpets and on other occasions
he was helping in other ways about the
house. This closed Dombacher's case.
Permanent Man Charles Wirtz. of
Hose company No. 6, admitted that
kneller was sometimes about his house
during work hours. but said that he
was never out of call and that he never
missed an alarm. He denied that Knel-
Ter had abused the horse, but admitted
having drank beer in Kneller's house
while on duty. He testified that Dom
bacher and Kneller could never agree
and that in his opinion the charges
We're preferred because of spite. His
testimony was corroborated by Philip
Berk, a bunkman.
Recorder of Deeds Emil Bonn testified
that Kneller's reputation is an eXcep-
tionally good one and Superintendent
II. F. Ferber went on the stand to deny
Dombacher's statement that Kneller
had sent in false reports of the condi-
tion of affairs about the hose house.
DR.. Charles Gelbert, the veterinarian
of the bureau of fire, testified that the
sore on the horse, which Dombacher al
leges was caused by brutal beating on
the part of Kneller, was an old sore and
was on the horse before the day on
which it is alleged that Kneller beat
the animal.
+ The board took the case into consider
alton and will make report to Drec-
tor of Public Safety Wormser within
few days.