Los Angeles herald., 1907-10-02
HELD UP SECRET SERVICE AGENT
IN cHuTEs PARK
BOARD REBuKEs INDIscREET
DETECTIVE
Chief Hazen Pushes Case Before Police
Commissioners Who Give Prompt
Verdict Against Plain
Clothes Officer

with a United States officer and sus-
pended him for thirty days with loss of
pay.
Secret Service Operative William M.
Farrell at the direction of Chief George
w. Hazen of the acknowledgements di-
vision, preferred the charges against
Officers John M. Walsh and John w.
Murphy, but the case as to Murphy was
dropped.
Farrell had shaken hands with Murphy
at the Chutes PARK police headquarters
on the night of Labor day. after Captain
Bradish apologized for the bad Judgment
of his men in OBTAINING Farrell, ana the
latter was inclined to drop the case, espe-
cially against Murphy, who had acted
more as q spectator.
When Farrell reported the facts to Chief
Hazen, however, next day, he was In
structed to make a written report, the
facts were laid before the United states
district attorney and that official advised
that charges be first made before the po-
lice commissioners.
First BIunder In Years
Chief Hazen said that this had been his
first experience in fifteen years of such
unwarranted action by city policemen
when secret service agent had identified
himself; and, though speakinge calmly,
both he and Farrell impressed the board
with the earnestness of their charges
Walsh and Murphy's defense was that
they had told Farrell that they were po-
licemen, had shown their stars. that Far
rePs star was accidentally brushed off,
and that their rough treatment consisted
merely in taking Farrell to the Chutes
park office, where Captain Bradish was
summoned. f
Farrell, on the other hand, testified that
Walsh tore his star off his suspender,
a. a,,1 It'll l1xro irrnn
a letter from the treasury department
which served as credentials and abused
him by saying his claims were untrue
even after the men reached the park
office.
When Chief Hazen was informed of the
verdict last night he expressed an Off
hand opinion that the board had taken
courteous view of the circumstances OF
the case, but declined to say then wheth-
er any further action would be taken.
. Farrell testified that on the night OF
Labor day, under instructions, he visited
the side shows and other attractions at
the Chutes, interviewing cashiers to see
IL any counterfeit money had been passed.
Late at night he watched the cashiers
make their deposits at the general office.
Much Push There
While talking to Manager Lehigh he
exposed his star, which action was doubt
less noticed by the plain clothes men out
side. There was about $25,000 or $4,000 in
cash there and the company had asked
for police protection.
Farrell said Walsh grabbed him just as
he stepped outside, called him 'bogus
cop and seized his coat lapel, at the
same time reaching for his revolver.
He asked Walsh to keep cool minute
and let him explain, as he was a govern
ment officer. Walsh would not listen, but
ignoring the star and the official Wash
ington letter he carried, hustled him in
side the office.
Murphy did not take an active part in
the search, but sent a passing boy after
Captain Bradish.
Captain Bradish Corroborates
The captain next took the stand and
substantially coroborated Farrell in re-
gard to what took place after the opera
tive had been brought into the office.
walsh has been sick and more than
once have told him to go home and put
himself under a doctors care" said Cap
tain Bradish. He was physically unable
to work.
after 1 expressed my regret to Far
rell for the conduct of my men he left,
saying, 1T shall go no further.
Cross-questioning by the mayor devel-
oped that Captain Bradish had noticed
Walsh having a high fever on duty.
Walsh would tell him he did not want to
get doctor, as If he did he would not
get up again. He preferred to keep on
his feet and wear out the illness.
II knew Walsh before he was on the
force" said Mayor Harper. "But want
to know If he had other qualities in toe
ing the Scratch besides energy, which you
have just testified to-
"He lacks the cool judgment, but for
some work he Is better than most Off
GERS" responded Captain Bradish.
Hazen Pushing Case
Chief Hazen testified to ordering Far
rell to make the rounds of the cashiers
places at Chutes park.
II did not think 1t right to pass this
matter over lightly. said he, thence
instructed Farrell to make written re-
port of his i'll treatment. This is such an
extreme case that we could not overlook
it. Farrell was loathe to make a report.
as Captain Bradish's kind treatment had
removed the sting of the insult.
"Our men have instructions when a
controversy arises to lay the facts before
their superiors, and that was done here"
Walsh asked Captain Hazen If he had
given out information to the press rela-
tive to bogus stars worn by would-be
sleuths.
Captain Hazen said he had, as warn
Ing TO stamp dHu Qic AOL 10
ufacture fake detective stars.
IT took up five here in pawnshops my
SELF" said he
He also testified that the two officers
wore wrong in saying that Special Agent
Cronin's star was different from that
which Hazen wore; as matter of fact,
Farrells was Cronin's identical star,
Cronin having surrendered 1t. They are
all made at the bureau Of engraving in
Washington.
Detectives Testify
Detective Murphy testified that he had
told Farrell that he was a policeman and
told him to keep quiet, adding: IF you
show us you're all right, you'll find we
are all right"
The witness said he did not see Farrell
handled roughly, did not see his star
pulled off, though he did carry it, with
the revolver, later to Captain Bradish.
Walsh was the last witness. He said:
Made Five Arrests
1--WE made maybe five arrests that
evening and were pretty busy. I saw
Farrell pull back his coat inside of the
office and said to my partner: Maybe
fbot is one of those fellows using fake