Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-21

IN DISGRACE,
FACESCOU
FLUSHES, DESPITE ATTEMPT
TO BE BRAZEN
SEEKS TO PRoLoNc FIGHT TILL
AFFAIR is FORGOTTEN
coronee Would Show That He Was
Not on Duty at Time Of 6rawl.
8 contradicted by
Lawyers


h,ghest OFFICIALS in Los Angeles county
ana a man sworn to at all times uphold
The laws of the county and state IN
which he lives. was yesterday ignomln-
iousIv hailed before a police Justice IN the
city iail building to answer charge OF
drunkenness.
T.anterman was not, on this occasion,
nIaced under arrest in the usual manner.
He was not served with warrant. nus
tied into a patrol wagon and driven
through the streets of the city as COM
mon drunk.
instead his attorney, Earl Rogers, was
notified by telephone that warrant had
been issued for his clients arrest. The
5isgraced official was then notified oy ms
attorney. and together they leisurely
strolled to the court of justice
The warrant was issued under state
law which provides that If any oniclal
Is found in such a state of intoXicauon
that he cannot perform the duties OF MS
office. upon conviction that onice snail
De declared vacant
It was sworn to before Prosecuting AT
tornev Fleming by Patrolman A. w.
clifford. who placed Lanterman under ar
rest the night the coroner, while stupefied
with drink brutally struck and injured
Ida Hastings, proprietress of house In
the red light district and woman with
whom I.anterman is said to have been
infatuated.
Face Is Flshed :
When Rogers and his client entered the
court room the coroner walked with
flushed face to one of the seats just IN
side the railing.
The prisoners pen was filed with mon
of all descriptions awaiting arraignment
on charges ranging from drunkenness TO
petty larceny. Chinese. negroes, degen-
crates of the lowest class, sat there, and
many of them leered Familiarity at the
coroner as the official entered the room
when the case which was being tried
was finished the warrant for Lanter-
mans arrest was handed Police Justice
Frederickson After reading it carefully
The Justice raised his eyes and glanced
around <the room. He did not see the
man who has so disgraceu the office he
was chosen to fiji. the profession in
which he once held prominent position
and the wife and children who bear his
name.
rs r. S. Lanterman present." asked
the Justice, and at motion from his at
torney the coroner arose to his feet. AS
he did SO a flush of red overspread his
countenance, as If a realiZat ton of his
shameful co-.duct had at last come to
him, but a moment later he turned to-
ward the spectators and with brazen
air gazed deffantly at them.
Justice Are1erickson then slowly read
the warrant for Lanterman's arrest
When he had finished Rogers stated his
intention of filing demurrer to the COM
plant The case was then set for Tues
day morning at 10 o'clock.
Will Fight for Job
According to those familiar with the
case. Lanterman has no intention of re-
signing his office, despite the fact that
those having the good of his family at
heart have endeavored to prevail upon
him to do so.
They say it is his intention to fight the
complaint on the grounds that he was
not on duty at the time. and that his
chief deputy was in charge of the cor
oners work. The complaint against
Lanterman charges he ewas on duty al
the time, and according to the under
standing of The majority of attorneys In
Los Angeles a coroner is on duty at all
times. Just as a patrolman can be sum-
moned by his superiors at any moment
of the day and night so can the coroner
be summoned. In addition to being COR
oner, he is the only official with power
to arrest the heriff, and the fact that he
was in no condition to perform, that duty
the night of his arrest, had such step
been necessary, leaves him liable to the
statute. say the attorneys
Ida Hastings, the woman in the case,
has expressed her intention of refusing
to testify against the coroner, but 1t is
probable she will be subpoenaed and
forced to tell of the affair.
"The coroner is friend of mine and
/ have already caused him enough
trouble" she is reported to have replied
g. haf. vUh VI a yVntIId
not swear to complaint.
Resort Closed
The womans house has been closed
by an order Of the chief of police and it
is claimed she and the other inmates will
not be allowed to open another place In
Los Angeles or to continue to live in the
red light district.
Lanternan no longer denies he was In
toxicated when arrested, according to
those who have talked with him, but
continues to blame Patrolman Gift
ford for his troubles.
This officer has been commended by all
respecters CT decency for the part he
took in the row at the Hastings womans
house and for refusing to be cowed by
the threats made by the official.
1t has been limited that Lanterman may
possibly endeavor to bring the small
amount of influence he still has against
the OFFICER, but those familiar with police
workings say it will be impossible for
him to do the patrolman any harm
The political influences which were
brought to bear so heavily on Prosecut.
ing Attorney Fleming the two days fol-
lowing Lanterman's arrest. have appar.
emily decided 1t will be impossible to
call that official from his line of duty
and it is judged they will now allow the
case to remain in the hands of Lanter.
mans attorney. They hope the coroner
can escape through some technicality OF
the law, or succeed in having his case
continued from time TO time until hi,
term of office expires