The Washington herald., 1907-09-07

physician of this city, through his attor-
ney. Richard p. Evans. has written Com
missioner West an indignant letter, pro-
| testing against his arrest by Poicemen
Springman and Cullinane as a suspect in
connection with the attack Wednesday on
Mrs. Lanham, when these two officers
took him to the Fifth precinct. despite his
protests and his willingness to identify
| himself.
After recitlng the treatment accorded
him by these officers, Mr.. Evans, In the
name OF his client, demands their dis
missal from the force.
Attorney Evans, in his letter to the
Commissioners, says:
In behalf Of my client, Dr. J. Stewart
Harrison, a>resident physician and citizen
for many years. have to present for
your attention and appropriate action the
following serious grievance and complaint
/ against certain members Of the Metro
polltan police force.
"On Wednesday, 4th instant. an assault
was committed on a Mrs. Lanham at her
home. near Good Hope. D. c.
"A description of her assaIlant was
| furnished 10 the police force, and officers
were detailed to endeavor to effect his
arrest.
DR.. Harrison Makes Himself known.
About ? o'clock in the afternoon, DR..
! Harrison, after attending a patient in
Twinlng City, proceeded 70 cross the
Pennsylvania avenue bridge across the
Eastern Branch. Near the south end OF
the bridge he met Police Officer Welch.
with whom he is well acquainted, and
had a short conversation.
When he reached the north or city
end Of the bridge Dr. Harrison was ac-
cOsted and stopped by Police Officers
| Springman and Cuilinane He told them
| who he was. where he resided. where
! he had been during the day, and where
he had just come from, and showed them
his tablet Of prescription blanks. He
gave the names OF a number OF police
/ officers whom he knew, and some of
whom are his patients and mentioned
/ other persons living near by who could
identify him.
Make Him Get Into Patrol Wagon.
"Dr Harrison also requested that one
Of the officers should cross the bridge
and ask Officer Welch as 70 his identity.
but they refused to do even this. or 70
make any other Inquiries as 10 his iden-
tity, which he suggested, but in the face
OF his explanations, and IN spite OF his
protests, they placed him under arrest.
and Summoned a patrol wagon from the
Fifth precinct station. compelled him 10
enter the same, although he pleaded with
them 70 accompany him on street car.
and not subject him 70 such humiliation.
and thus, through a section Of the city
where he Is well and widely known. and
has many patients. be was carted Ike
common criminal 10 the Fifth precinct
police station, where a charge OF sus-
picion was entered against him. The
officer there in charge Immediately rec
ognized DR.. Harrison, and treated him
with every courtesy. and Immediately re-
leased him from custody.
Calls IL "A WRntOn Proceeding.
"My client and his friends consider this
the most high handed, wanton, and IN
iustifable proceeding. upon the part Of
these officers, of which there IS any rec
ord In the annals Of our police depart
} ment
''Dr- J Stewart Harrison has been a
practitioner in this city for some thirty
years, and has resided and had his Office
in Anacostla since 1884,. He was a resi-
dent physician at the Washington Asylum
Hospital for three years, and served in
other hospitals, and is now attending
physician at the German Orphan Asylum.
Rupert Home, and the Bell Home FOR
Children. He is family physician to a
number OF members Of the police force.
and has a large practice IN the south
east section Of the city, and has been
daily, for many years. visiting patients
on the streets where these officers pa
troll.
. Asks for Removal of Policemen.
, The utter lack Of judgment. discretion.
and consideration exhibited by officers
Springman and Cullinane in making this
arrest of DR.. Harrison demonstrates not
only their unftness for the position they
Z hold but also that their further retention
therein would be dangerous to the safety
and peace Of other citizens under ike con-
ditions.
These men are paid by our citizens tc
guard and protect them, and not to as
sault and humiliate them, and when they
exhibit such supreme indifference to these
duties as herein, the propriety Of their
: separation from the service is manifest
and my client and his many friends in
this community request and expect sucF
action in this case