The Washington times., 1905-07-24
SAYS POLICEMEN MUST
NOW FACE CHARGES
From the Painting by Walter K. Lansil.

policemen visited Washington and play
ed a game OF ball, and the return con
test was scheduled to take place in this
city Saturday afternoon.
The contest was postponed because or
the rain. and Lieutenant Cole both
telegraphed and telephoned to Washing
the weather here and that it would
be useless expense to come to BaIti-
more. He did rot know that any of
the W ashington police were in the city
until they stood before the rail in the
Central Police Station. The five pri-
soners stated 10 Justice Grammar yes
messages from Lieutenant Cole on Sat
turady. but they decided to come 10
Baltimore.
When the prisoners were brought be
fore the magistrate, CuneO, the bar
keeper in the saloon. appeared with
his neck bandaged and Rettaliata had
marks about his face showing that he
had been roughly treated. Both COM
plainants urged that the charge be
pressed against the accused. RettaIiata
testified how the men, together with
the one who escaped from the station
house and who by the way has not
Immediately became OOfsterOus. He said
that the men called for drinks and he
refused them, telling them that he
thought they had had enough He said
that they grew ugly IN their language
and when the drinks were not forthcom-
Ing started to devour everything on his
lunch counter.
He said they showed their police
badges and tried in every way TO play
the part OF buIlies. They endeaYored to
frighten him and ordered him to close
up his place. One Of the police, he said
also struck him with an umbrella and
broke d rRinshade against the bar. He
said that al this moment BranzeI
grabbed Cuneo by the throat and looked
as II he was going to choke him 10
death. Rettanata said he then ran
toward the telephone and was about TO
call up the station house. but the crowd
rushed on him
ran into the street." ne continued,
making my way toward the police sta
ton. and they followed me-
Cuneo said that BranzeIl grabbed him
by the throat and otherwise illtreated
him. He said that Branzell pressed iiis
Hnsers into his throat and nearly chOked
the wind out of him. Cuneo's neck was
bruised, and plainly showed the finger
prints OF the man who grabbed him.
Magistrate Denounces Visitors.
All the prisoners made practically the
same statement They denied having as
sauited the complainan;s. but admitted
being in the saloon, They also admitted
that they mad been drinking and were
having a good time. They stated that
they read the Sign, Noodle soup today"
which stood in front Of the place. and,
feeling hungry. entered. They would say
80 more, further than that they did not
assault the two men.
Justice Grammar, before imposing the
fine, told the prisoners that they are
employed by the city of Washington to
assist IN keeping down crime and also
help keep the peace. He referred to their
positions and plainly told them that
they were poor specimens OF men known
as guardians of the peace. He also
told them Of the fact of being strangers
In the city and that the populace here
would have taken them for a band of
despefadoes instead of police.
Captain Pearson. OF the Washington
police force, attended the trial with a
stenoBrapher, who took every word of
the testimony. The magistrate asked
the captain if he had anything TO say
regarding the charaC.-1 Of the men. He
said he would say nothing at this time.
The policemen who escaped by getting
cut in the rear of the station house and
scaling fences win undoubtedly be re-
turned TO the city to answer the charge
OF assaulting Rettaliata The local DO
ice say 1t was mean trick on the part
OF the man. and policeman at that, to
escape the clutches of the law and thus
reflect on the WatChfulneSs of those in
charge OF the police station.