The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1908-01-24
CALLED BY BOARD
INQUIRY ABOUT SPECIAL
POLICEMEN.
Commissioners Hear of Abuse Of Badges
Bladder in Harrigan's Chair-First
Precinct Bids Opened.

Steps preventing the abuse of special
policemen's badges were taken yester-
day afternoon by the police board, and
in order TO find out just who are hold
ing the badges at the present time. the
board decided to order all special po-
licemen to appear at a meeting of the
board, the date to be set later on.
Special policemen took up more time at
the meeting of the board than did the reg
ulars. More than ten, men made applica-
ton for appointment. Two OF them were
/ rejected, one being William Figular, of SO
Beacon street, who appeared before the
board on November II presenting a letter
purporting to be written by a member of
the firm OF Wilhelm, Hlltgen & Co., plan
ers. of 81 Kent street. The application was
referred to Captain Vogei, OF the Fourth
Precinct. for investiga ton. who reported
that none of the firm had signed the letter.
The application OF John Morback, of "A
Hartford street. for appointment as a spe-
cial officer was followed by the reading of
a letter from Mrs. Morback asking the
board not to give Morback a badge. as he
was on probation to pay her 81 a week
to help support herself and an imbecile
son. The application was referred to the
captain of the precinct. Thomas Boles,
who lives at 12S Oliver street, wanted a
special policeman's badge. He said he
wanted to watch a factory opposite his
home. The board put the application off
Indefinitely, as Boles was not working reg
ularly as a Waterman.
Owing the injury sustained by President
William Harrigan, which prevented his
presence at the meeting. the board passed
a resolution appointing Commissioners John
A. Bladder as president pro tenn.
SIX bid for furnishing the new First
Precinct station were received at4 o'clock
and when they were opened it was found
that Christian Schmidt, of 1877 Springfield
avenue, was the lowest bidder, offering
to furnish the building for 81. 2S4.H.
Michael Dominion was appointed a menu
Der of the force to fill the vacancy caused
by the death of P%atrolman Gibney,
A ~mmunicatio was received from the
Board of Works thanking the members OF
the Police Commission for their investi-
cation into the traffic conditions at Broad
and Market street during the rush hours
and for the recommendations.
Three policemen were up on charges
They were Owen Kelly, of the Second
Precinct, who was found not properly pa
trolling post. His case was dismissed. The
case of Charles O'Connor, of the Second
Precinct, who was an hour late in report
ing for roll call, was also dismissed. Rob
u MAJ liu, VI Tue iHIIu IItCllti, wiz was
twenty-seven minutes late in sending in a
duty call, was fined one days pay.
The charges made by Tony Gratch. of
$50 Malvern street, against Plainclothes-
man James Byrne, of the Third Precinct,
were dropped, but Captain Christie was
ordered to reprimand the policeman for
not appearing at the board in uniform.
City Auditor George Fornan appeared at
the meeting TO explain his position in the
matter of the payment of policemen. He
said that from his conversation with po-
licemen and firemen he found that both
were heartily in favor of being paid on
the first and the fifteenth of the month
and, though it concentrated work in his
department, he felt that he wanted to pay
the men in both departments on the dates
they wished.