The Washington times., 1904-06-21
COMMISSIONERS
DRIVER "PINCHED"
Robert Lewis Charged With
Violating Regulation.
He VAINLY RESISTS ARREST
Released by Authority of Higher Pow
ers," Who Interfered in the
Hostler's Behalf.

Considerable excitement was occa-
stoned in the vicinity of Police Head
quarters and the District Building this
morning when Policeman .McKeever. Of
the Sixth precinct, grabbed Robert
Lewis. a negro. forty-fve years old.
from the seat Of Commissioner Macfar-
land's private carriage and placed him
urdcr arrest for violating the police
Re gulations.
The negro is said TO have driven the
Commissioner horse and carriage di-
rectly in front of the entrance 10 the
District Building, and there is a police
regulation which compels driver to stop
their teams either to the east or west
OF the entrance. Lewis stood on his
dignity as Mr.. Macfarland's driver, and
put up a most strenuous resistance.
McKeever was having a great deal Of
trouble with his prisoner. but main
tanned his composure and did not be-
labor him over the head. as the sew
eral hundred spectators who were at
tracted to the scene urged him to do.
Policeman Frazier, of the Fourth pre-
cinct, was passing Police Headquarters
at the tire of the disturbance and ran
to the assistance Of his brother officer.
Was Ultimately Released.
an order from Major Sylvester, and
there will be prosecution in the Police
Court. but both of the policemen have
been called up to make written state
ments and explain whatever prompted
them to arrest Commissioner Macfar-
lands driver and treat him otherwise
than courteously and kindly while he
was struggling and fighting with them
at every step they took toward a pa
troll box
The disturbance occurred about 1918
clock this morning
The negro drove close to the curb
ing and allowed Mr.. Macfarland TO
alight and then kept his horse stand
ing in the same place where he stODped
II was shady there and sunny to the
east and west so he did not care to
move. Shortly after he blocked the en-
trance and violated one of the police
regulations. another carriage drew up
and the occupant wished 70 get out at
the entrance TO the building. He asked
the negro 10 move the Commissioner s
conveyance. but Lewis refused, and an
argument was begun
Bound Rule.
Persons who have been in the habit
of driving to the District Building say
that for years the law has compelled
drivers to move away from the en-
frances, and those who saw where the
Commissioner carriage was standing
say thousands Of other drivers have
been made to move from that spot
and when the drivers left their horss
standing alone, the policeman on duty
al the building went out and either
backed the horse or led It forward
McKeever who was patrolling his beat.
was appealed to. and he requested the
n loo
way. Lewis is said to have replied in a
surly manner, and added, mo. l won't
move. I'm in the right place, and I've
been here for five years" The parties
seem TO be agreed that this much was
said. but after leaving that. they differ
Lewis. who is said TO have caused SIM
liar disturbances at the Center Market
and other places where he has longest
ed traffic by driving where ne is said to
have no right has threatened TO get
even with the two cops and make them
pay for H." AS a result of this threat
by the negro. Major Sylvester has call
ed upon both Mckeever and Frazier for
explanations of their conduct The ne
gro was not labeled Commissioner Mac
Iarland driver and even II he was it
would not have made much, If any, diff
ference so long as ne was violating the
law by keeping hiss horse standing in
the entrance and refused to move IT,
What Lewis Says.
Inc Hebio CoAteiidS Ahdt McheeNer
jumped up into the carriage, and grab
bling him by the neck. said, Come out
Of here, you damn negro" and then
be gan the march 10 the patrol box Nc
Is eever denies that any remarks OF such
a nature were made by him, and he is
coIroborated by two score or more wit
nesses VINO saw the carriage standing
In a place where il should not have
been, and observed the surly and dicta-
ad
At every step the negro struggled.
kicked. bit and raVed in his endeayor ID
get away When the box was reached
and the patrol was summoned a messen-
ger from Police Headquarters informed
the police that they should bring their
prisoner before one Of the police cap
tains. After some parleying, the negro
was released and left the building NUT
tering threats Of revenge.