The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-08-21
WALTER BENNETT
ANSWERS CHARGES
SAYS That They Are Untrue
from Start TO Finish
WANTS AN INVESTIGATION
Says He VIII Be Able to Prove That
He Was Not Intoxicated
On Night In Cues
ton.


Policeman W. R. Bennett. charged by
Police Commissioner George G. Phillips
with being drunk while ON duty and with
mistreating his wife on the same date,
yesterday specifically and emphatically
denied both charges. 1t will be remem-
bered that Policemen Bennett and Cole
have already admitted that they were
found in house of i'll repute on Second
avenue by Commissioner Phillips on the
night of July 81. 1905. but averred That
they were there in the discharge of their
official duties.
AS to the charge that l was intoxi-
Gated on the night of July 81. the date on
which Mr. Phillips charges that all of
my alleged offenses took place, l want to
brand 1t as a mis-statement in the most
unqualified and emphatic terms that can
be used in public print" said Mr.. Ben
nett. ION the night that Mr.. Phillips
says 1 was drunk Captain Johnson of the
police department saw me about o'clock
and he will state, when he appears ON the
stand as a witness, that 1 was duly sober.
Lieutenant Eagan of the department,
who was sent on a special mission to re-
port, as to my condition who saw me
after the hour of II o'clock. will make
the same statement as Captain Johnston
when he is placed on the witness stand.
These same two ranking officers saw me
when l reported off duty that night at
police headquarters and both will state
that 1 was not intoxicated then.
Was Not Repentant.
MIR. Phillips allegations concerning
IL.
which he charged me with insubordina-
ton, something like a year ago, convey
the impression that 1 requested friends,
among others Chief Mullin of the fire
department. to intercede with him in my
behalf. This impression is as erroneous
as the direct charge would be were it
made against me by Mr.. Phillips What
ever Chief Muffin said to Mr.. Phillips in
my behalf was done without my know
ledge and of course without any solicita-
ton on my part. II Mr.. Phillips will call
the names of the Others of my friends
whom he insinuates called on him In my
behalf and at my solicitation / will nail
this untruth also. Any one who told Mr..
Phillips that l was repentant told him
an outright untruth made of the whole
because felt that was In the right In
what 1 had done. AS a matter of fact
two men, whom l supposed to be friends
of Mr. Phillips came to me after the
charges had been made and told me that
if l would apologize to Mr.. Phillips the
matter would be dropped. I politely re-
fused to apologize and told these men
that if there was any apology made 1t
must come from the other side. I can
furnish the names of the two men IL nee
essary.
Wants Investigation.
1T will be remembered that this charge
of INSTRUMENTATION remained on file for a
long time and that meeting after meet
ing of the police commissioners was held
without its being brought forward. The
charges were stolen from the files and put
back on several times and then finally
disappeared.
'As to the charge of maltreating my
wife," continued Policeman Bennett, II
deny 1t most positively and state that it
is absolutely without foundation. l do
not care to go into the details of such
charge in public print"