The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-05-18


to 1915. when Commissioner Gross was
summoned TO his office on very i'm
portant matter.
The board took a recess until o'clock
to consider several points in connection
with the form in which the decision shall
be stated.
Chairman Luther said that no other
announcement would be made today. and
that the matter now in hand would be
disposed -ef by-2 D. mI, he thought.
Chairman Luther and Commissioner
Pierce arrived at 9:40 and stopped
few minutes near police headquarters to
inspect a handsome horse that has been
added to the department.
After a short chat with Chief Matthews
they went TO their room Commissioners
Gross arrived promptly at 10 o'clock.
All Of the commissioners appeared to be
much refreshed and each had business
like air that gave observers the impress
! sion that there would be something
doing In few minutes.
Tho commissioners discussed matters
informally until 1890 when City Solicitor
Albert A. Baker. who has been acting
as Judge advocate. arrived: and the board
went into formal session on tho question
OF reopening the hearing.
Chief Matthews was not present during
the boards deliberations. but was in his
office part Of the time wearing his we'll
fitting new spring suit. He too. ap-
peared TO be in excellent spirits and
joked with the News-Democrat repre-
sentative about wireless" operations
Judge Richard e. Lyman, attorney for
the chief. was not in the building and
none Of tho other principals or their repre-
sentatives was present. evidently not
ha ID - tI,a
When the board adjourned last Wednes-
day, II was at the call OF the chair; and
the call was issued by Chairman Luther
yesterday. as soon as Secretary Gee in
formed him that the evidence was in shape
for the boards consideration.
1t was apparent from Mr.. Luther's
statement to the News Democrat yester-
day II not from the attitude of his coll
leagues on the last day OF the trial OF
the contempt case, that a decision would
be reached quickly when once the evidence
was all in shape.
The only question TO be decided was the
form and scope OF the decision.
At least one gentleman whose name
has figured in the case said today that he
was OF the opinion that John b. Nash
should be convicted of contempt in flee
INF from Providence without giving his
evidence, while another thought that il
in advance on the main question.
He said he would not regard a decision
giving Nash an opportunity to testify as
In any sense n reflection upon the posi-
tion taken by Chdef Matthew'S but simply
consistent with the boards purpose as
announced some time ago-lto get TO the
bottom OF all the facts in the case.
Mr.. Baker advised the board today as
20 the legal aspects OF the case. the
az
the digressions OF attorneys His attitude
was absolutely impartial as he leaned
TO one side or the other only as the evil
dence tipped the scales that way. The
commissioners were, OF course the
judges. the court OF last resort
That many of the members Of the police
department are standing loyally by Chief
Matthews has been matter OF common
knowledge, and has been strongly en-
hasized byp the attorneys who have been
pressing the charges.
The News Democrat has told heretofore
how the majority OF the men I'm the police
departments are disposed TO regard
charges against their working head-in
the light OF an attack upon themselves:
but Il has not goine into the other reasons
whlch have caused most OF the local
policemen 10 express themselves warnnlv
in favor OF their chief
Talking with a number OF officers.
ranging In grade from patrolman TO cap
tain, News-Democvrat Representative
has been informed by many that they
really believe the chief has been unjustly
accused. Said lieutenant today:
People outside the police department
cannot apparently understand the ties
that bind us 20 the chief. Personally I
did not like him when first entered the
department. ] thought he was too much
OF a martinez; but as | came into contact
with him more and more and observed
that he was absolutely impartial. though
n strict disciplinarian. that he stood by
MS men I'm emergencies and always gave
them tho benefit of n doubt. that he was
quick 60 sec the good points OF an officer
an dto approve him for good work. as
we'll as 90 punish him for derelictions.
grew 10 admire him.
'I believe 7 voice the feeling OF large
majority OF the men OF the police de-
partemnt. and Of practically all who
have served directly under the chief In
the past five years. when 7 say that we
could not desire a better chief OF poiice