The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-31
this POLICEMAN NO COWARD
GTN. BINGHAM ENONERATES
ROOSi ~ WARNER KILLING.


-WaIsn way ue httuntsse0 TO-uey.
There was rejoicing In the trial room at
Police Headquarters yesterday when Com
missioner Bingham dismissed the charge
NJ cowardice against Patrolman Tracey L.
Roosa Of The East Fifty-first street station.
Who was accused Of displaying lack Of nerve
on tho morning Of July % when Frank II.
warner killed Esther Norling in Whites
haberdashery at , West Forty-second street
and then killed John c. Wilson at Waverley
place and Greene street. When Com
missioner Bingham announced his decision
generating Rooea the policemen In the
trial room rushed to congratulate him.
When all the evidence had been presented
James W. Ridgway. counsel for Roosa,
made an appeal defending Roosa. Com
missioner Bingham summoned all the police
men in the room to come up close to him 30
that they could near what he had to say.
Then Gen. Bingham said:
You men all know that we can't stand for
any white feathers or any yellow streaks o r
any cowardice on this force-apd we don't
have to. For thirty years there has not been
y proved charge OF cowardice against any
man on this force. and II Ia the duty OF every
one Of you men to see that that proud record
- carried on, IA ! have not the slightest
doubt in my mind that IL will be-
Here is a man charged with neglect OF
duty and alleged cowardice. He is not guilty
nj cowardice. as far ~ this evidence has
gone. There il. however. this to be said-it
- q narrow squeak. The next time your
life IL In danger. or you think II In in danger.
see that II really gets In danger. The whole
point OF this Investigation turns in whether
Won were justified in guarding the foot OF
The stairs and the elevator. ] was inclined
10 think that. finding an officer there on
your arrival. that YOU we're not justified in
staying there. that IL WAS your bushes to
get upstairs. But apparently the crowd was
40 great that the two of you we're necessary
10 keep Il In order.
" was probably good Judgment in leaving
Mill tsnother policemanD there to guard
The door while you and the other oficer went
upstairs. Then comes the point when some
thing happened upstairs and you thought
there was somebody there. You had your
revolver and you called out 10 him. One
thing In the evidence az IL stands proves that
It would not be fair TO charge you with cow
ardice for not having jumped upstairs.
although that IL really what you should have
done. The fact that when the officers arrived
you all went ~ and you still said to Mill
Take care Of these stairs" that saves you
from the charge Of cowardice. But still,
and remember IL. YOU men, ] would q great
deal rather YOU would jump after the man
YOU are after. and let the retreat take care
of itself. Don't be 50 blame careful Of what
Ia behind you.
do think. however. that the evidence has
excused Rocsa absolutely. No blemish rests
an his character, or on his courage. | think
that IL clearly established. hut there is
this lesson to br drawn. don't want too
many Of on men 10 think Of closing the re-
treat. ! would rather al YOU men. for the
benefit Of the force. should he after the Grim
inal. and let somebody else look after the re-
treat. That is all Charge dismissed.
Roosa's testimony, taken with that of
other witnesses, convinced Gen. Bingham
that Rosa was not a coward. Policeman
Walsh, who was tried on Monday. will learn
his fate to-day. The general impression at
Police Headquarters yesterday was that
Gen. Bingham will dismiss him for cowardice.