The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-09-17
POLICE COMMISSIONERS.
POLICEMAN ALLEN REDUCED
 ONE GRADE.


 He Was Found Guilty Of IntoxieatIon- Officer LedwIth Praised-New Switch- board for No. 3-Resignations Ace cepted.
 The police commissioners held their regular meeting last evening. The prin- cipal subject for consideration was the charge of intoxication against Patrol man John Allen. He was arrested on September by Sergeant Crocker in William r. Stahl 6 Sons undertaking establishment on Meadow street and was brought to headquarters and sus- pended by Chief Wrinn. The charge aganst the officer was preferred aganst him by the chief. The officer pleaded not guilty. Sergeant Crocker stated that on September he observed the red signal at the corner of Church and George street and telephoned to head quarters, when ne was informed that he was wanted at the office. Soon there after he received information that Off, cer Allen was in Stahrs place drunk. l Surmising from what he heard that what i he was wanted for was to investigate Aliens whereabouts and condition he repaired to the undertaker's and found 1 Allen lying on couch back of the office apparently asleep. He aroused him. Allen was intoxicated. He brought him to headquarters and presenting him to Chief Wrinn inquired if that was what he was wanted for. The chief said it was. To a question Sergeant Crocker l said that the patrolman was off duty at the time he was dressed in citizens clothes, walked straight, and altogether was not in a condition that would war rant him in making an arrest in the case of a private citizen. He had no difficulty in bringing the accused to the office. He showed no signs of drunk enness as far as his perambulation was concerned, but his condition was very noticeable in his face and eyes. He talked all right.
 Chief Wrinn said that when Allen was confronted by him he admitted that he was guilty of a convivial indiscretion, and requested, as it was the first time, the chief to overlook it. The chief told him that he could not do it. He said that there was only one thing that he could do, and that was to suspend him, which he did The chief laid emphasis on the fact that the officer admitted his guilt.
 William F. Stahl, who testified favor ably to Allen, stated that when Allen was going down Meadom street he was standing at his door. He accOsted the policeman, who said he was sick, and the funeral director invited him into his place to rest himself, thinking he would feel better in a little while. He said Allen did not look, nor act as if he was intoxicated Stahl said if he had any suspicion that the officer was In any such condition he would not have been invited into his place of business, even if he were the finest looking one of "the finest"
 In his own behalf Patrolman Allen said that he reported for duty at 5:SO on the morning in question. He report ed to Sergeant Driscoll at about 2 o'clock and asked leave of absence ow- ing to severe cramps in the C"tlaach After leaving headquarters he went to drug store and bought some cholera mixture He drank some of this. Thinking he would like to see friend before he went home, he dropped into the Hotel Davenpors, and when he eX- plained the cause of his indisposition to said Friend the latter advised him to take some French brandy. He drank some brandy and started for home, and was glad to accept the hospitality of MT. Stahl, he was feeling so bad at the time. He said he was more sick than drunk. After hearing the evidence the commissioners went into executive ses- sion to deliberate on the case. After an hours palaver they found Patrol man Allen guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer and reduced him to grade B. This is equivalent to reduction or about twenty-five cents a day in his pay.
 Officer Ledwith was voted honorable mention for capturing thief with the goods on him.
 It was voted to apply for transfer of S200 for new switch board at station No, from the specific account of $24O aDpropriated for a conduit pipe. This action was taken after it was ascertain ed that the telephone company would not lay a conduit in that section this year and that the switchboard was in nearly useless condition It was for r1erly in use at station No. 1. Several resignations from the super nurnerary list were read and accepted. A GREAT SUCCESS.