The Washington herald., 1908-03-09
IGNORES THE BADGE
0fficious Policeman Arrests
a Local Reporter.
MAI. SYLVESTER DISPLEAsED
Issues Press Badges TO Members OF
the Washington Newspaper STATS,
within the Police Lines-PatrOI-
man D1sreEards Chiefs Action.

Maj. Sylvester, superintendent OF the
Washington police department, was, fig
uratively speaking, slapped in the face by
an unsophisticated policeman last night.
Mai. Sylvester. in addition to his other
manifold duties issues TO newspaper re-
porters badges, which entitle them 10 re-
main within the police lines during a fire
or to enter places where crime has been
committed.
Maj. Sylvester regards a press badge
as q mark Of MS authority 1t is a mes
sage TO a competent policeman that the
wearer IS entitled 70 certain privileges
not accorded persons outside OF the news
paper profession.
BObO, the Policeman.
James e Bobo is a policeman. At any
rate. he wears a uniform and swings d
club. He must be an oficious policeman.
as well as a policeman who has little re-
gard Cor Mai. Sylvester's badge Of author
ity. He must be policeman who regards
the rules OF the department as being OF
little consequence.
Bobo is a bold policeman, IL he IS not
brave. He was bold enough last night
70 openly disregard the authority of his
shove reporter into the gutter, but il
is doubtful if he is brave enough 20
take the consequences That is a factor
TO be determined.
]. ". Hart is a reporter on a Washing
ton daily newspaper. He is a police re
porter and. therefore. ne has one Of Mai
SylYester's badges
Last night he went to a fire with tire
badge pinned on the outside OF his coat.
Shortly before 10 o'clock he was arrested
by Policeman Bobo. Of the First precinct.
who refused to recognize the newspaper
mans right TO enter the FIRE lines in the
pursuit OF his duty. Besides wearing his
press badge. prominently displayed on the
lapel OF his coat. the reporter repeatedly
told BObo the nature OF his vocation
Taken TO Police Station.
Hart was taken to the station house
and charged with disorderly assembly. He
was released az 1915 o'clock on $ col
lateral 20 insure his appearance in court
this morning.
When told Of the occurrence Mai. Syl-
vester said Bobo had exceeded his au-
thority. Therefore. Bobo will have an op-
pOrunity 20 make an explanation.
Hart was roughly handled By the po-
liceman and was dragged through u
crowd Of persons who had gathered 10
see a FIRE al 706 Z street. He was ac-
corded the same treatment as given a
common criminal.
In company with a reporter for The
Washington Herald and other newspaper
men. Hart went to the scene Of the hre,
III a tobacco store. 10 get story for his
paper The reporters had put their press
badges on the lapels OF their coats, and.
after speaking TO several policemen. went
to the entrance Of the burning building
and talked with SeTgt- Lee. Of the First
precinct
After getting some information. the
newspaper men walked 90 the curb to
await further developments. II was while
there that BObo came forward and IN an
oficious manner told them to move back
Pointing 10 their badges. the reporters
stood their ground The policeman push
ed Hart backward, and when the re-
/ porter demonstrated he grabbed him about
/ the neck and started TO drag him 10 the
patrol box
The newspaper man objected TO the
/ treatment. whereup0n he received a lab IN
/ the ribs. The patrol wagon. with the re-
/ serves from the First precinct. had ar
rived. and Hart was unceremoniously
/ loaded into the wagon and driven 10 the
station house.
After the arrest several police officials
attempted TO undo the tangle. but il was
/ 800 late, and the reporter was charged
with disorderly assembly.
! Lieut.. Hartley. Of the First precinct. did
/ not know Of the arrest until ne returned
/ from the fire. He did everything in his
power 10 right the wrong done Lieut.
Peck. night chief Of detectives took al
active interest in young Hart's case and
made proffers Of aid.
Mai. Sylvester Surprised.
When told Of the affair. Maj. sylvester
said:
Il am much surprised and shocked tc
/ hear of this. The badges issued TO re.
/ porters give them the privilege to enter
| all places within the fire lines. I never
heard Of such conduct and shall most Ger.
tainly make an investigation. 1 will see
that the newspaper men have every as
sistance that can be given them in the
pursuit of their duty by members Of tho
/ police force
The fire which was the cause Of tn,
/ occurrence started on the ground fooi
I OF Edward F. Buekley's wholesale anC
retail cigar store. The flames were seer
by passing citizen. who called to Sergt
Conlin. of the Sixth precinct. at Seventh
and z streets While the citizen turneC
in an alarm the policeman broke oper
the front door.
Mr.. Buckley was asleep on the foo
above the store. and was awakened b,
Sergt Conlin. After flghting the fire 70
| more than an hour. the blaze was ex
tinguished. The damage is estimated q
! 2,5e0. partly covered by insurance. IN,
| cause is unknown.