The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-20

There was much interest shown by auto
bilists OF the state, who went 10 Ap-
ponaug yesterday afternoon 10 attend the
trial before the Warwick town council
or Automobile officer Locke. against
whom charges had bsen filed
AS soon as the council assembled an ex-
eoutive session was held which lasted
more than half an hour. Then the mem
bers went into the council chamber. where
large crowd had gathered.
The several affldavits were presented
and laid before the councllmen. The petit
titlon contained affldavts from Nelson
Davis OF Providence. G., l.. Tillnghast or
Providence, Horatio n. Nightingale OF
Warwick Fred l.. Smith OF Providence,
Estella w. Knox OF Providence and BEN
jamn Thurston. These affidavits, as pre-
Vlously stated. contained language which
the petitioners claim was used by Locke
when he made arrests and much OF II was
unfit for publication. The signers were
cross examined by Attorney Clifford
Whipple OF Providence, who acted in be-
half OF the autoists.
officer Locke also cross-examned the
witnesses as he conducted his own case.
Mr. Davis was the principal witness, as
his testimony alleged malfeasance on the
part OF officer Locke. Theodore w. Fos-
ter was another important witness. He
stated he had driven his motor car over
arrested for speeding. Mr.. Foster said
ne thought Is miles an hour fast enough
for anybody 10 ride. and he seldom II
ever ran at a rate boynd that.
Charles b. Montgomery. chauffeur ;or
Mr. Foster, stated that Mr.. Fosters auto
WAS not running more than II miles an
hour when he was arrested by officer
Locke Montgomery also told the coun-
ell where the trap was and stated that
he was informed OF the locality on the
very morning the arrest was made. He
also said that each and every chauffeur
knew the place where a trap was set
within two days after II had been set
T. Clyde Foster a son OF the former
Witness, verified the statements OF his
father Colonel Frank w Tillinghast OF
Providence. a representative OF the Rhode
Island Automobile Club. said that IN some
towns the officers measured out their
course on a down grade, and he thought
that this was not right The council
agreed with Mr. Tillinghdst in that re-
spect.
Benjamin w Thurston Warwick
man, proved quite an interesting witness.
as he was the man Locke accused or hav-
ing a bottle OF whiskey In his car when
he was arrested Mr. Thurston alleged
that Locke would not listen TO common
sense when he tried 20 explain that he
was not exceeding the speed limit Mr.
Thurston declared that Locke stated
pointing 10 a bottle OF summer complaint
medicine In his car, That shows what
kind of man you are"
Mr.. Thurston had a drug clerk OF East
Greenwich 10 take some OF the nquld
and analyze n and found that n contained
no alcohol OF any description. Locke also
stated, IL is alleged. that II Mr.. Thurs
ton was high up I'm the Masons ne prob
ably would be cleared.
The witnesses also allege that Locks
told him a pull in the Republican party
would 90 no good as he G.ocke) himself
had a good pull and had even bought
votes for them at election and had help
ed them TO win many elections.
on the other hand. Locke alleged that
while he was away looking for Clerk
Loomis the contents OF the bottle had
been changed.
Charles r. McGetrick, the drug clerk
who analyzed the liqud. testified that ii
contained no spirits OF any kind.
George r. Hannaford of East Green
wich, n grocer. testified In support OF Mr.
Thurston as 10 the load and impolite
language used by Locke on that occasion.
Fred l.. Smith. who had signed the pc
tition, is critically III at his home and was
therefore unable 10 be present.
Estella w. Knox also signer OF the
petition, was not present as she was not
notified OF the hearing However, the pre-
vious affidavts were admitted by Locke
and the case was carried right through.
Locke was then given an opportunity to
defend himself. He stated that the
charges brought against him by NJ.
Davis was untrue and that Mr.. Davis of
fered him 500 10 settle the case. Mr.
Davis said Locke was in his office for
over an hour This. however, was also
untrue, according 10 Locke's story. Locke
asserted that he was not in the Davis
place over Is or 20 minutes. Locke said