The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-01-14
PROTESTS AGAINST
 POLICE CONSCIOUSNESS
Stranger Resents DiSconrte0us Treatment
 in 3rd Precinct.
After a Civil Courteous Interrogation of His He Asserts He Was Subjected to lndignity His Pertinent Queries.
Bridgeport, Conn. Jan. 1s, 1908.

t1dignity lis Pertinent Queries.
 Bridgeport, Conn. Jan 13, 1908.
 Editor of the Evening Farmer:
 Dear Sir:-On the advice of my doc- tor to seek quiet place for two weeks rest, I came to this city from New
 York city on Thursday last and reg istered at the Arcade Hotel. Afterward I changed to the Arlington.
 I pass my time >strolling around the roads in the vicinity, and of evenings after supper 1t is my habit to smoke and think, or read my newspaper on quiet well-lighted roads away from noise. On Monday night I had spent an hour or two leaning on comfort able wooden fence, under an arc light on a public road to the right off Fair field avenue and was just about to re- turn to my hotel when Twas accosted by a f1erce-looking man in ordinary citizens clothes who flashed yellow badge on me, said he was policeman and without further explanation pro- ceeded to pass his hands over my pockets. He then examined my hands, demanded my name, address, business, &sc., and what I was doing in this place. I answered all his questions frankly and fully, and volunteered in- formation on every detail. This in- quisition finished, my captor said must go with him to the station house for investigation. At the 3rd Pre- cinct station, my escort divested him. self of his coat and brought to light a Sergeant's chevrOns. He took seat at the desk and turned me over to a man in plain clothes with the instruc- tion, take this fellow to MT. Peck and see if MT. Peck will identify him.p To MT. Peck was accordingly marched who promptly declared l was not the man. I was brought back to the station house where the plain clothes man reported MT. Peck's verdict
 The sergeant then said was free to go. I then made a mild protest against being subjected to such wor- ry and indignity without any just cause and my protest, mild though 1t was. kindled the sergeant's wrath, ana he informed me that was lucky to get off without being held for investiga- ton. To which I replied that court ed investigation, and as a lawabiding man wanted no favors. You're techni- cal," declared the sergeant. had to pause a moment and ask a question before understanding the Sergeants meaning to be, that was taking hold of legal technicalities.
 Without further warning, he called to one of his assistants and handing him key said Search this fellow and lock him up." The subordinate lost no time in going to work on me, and as- sisted him by removing the contents of all my pockets and placing them on the office desk said:s Sergeant are you going to lock- me up to gratify your spite?'' I scarcely believed he would so outrage all law as to lock an innocent respectable man, in a cell all night, for it appears from the Ser gcart's words that he investigates only "when he is good and ready" which meant nothing less than nights im- As the searching process proceeded I had no reason to doubt to him flor Gods sake not to put the stain of the prison on me for noth- ing.'
 He then relented, called off his searcher, and muttered something about fellows who thought they knew it alI.' left the station as quickly as I could restore my money and articles to my pockets. This is my story con given, and believe me sir, | should not inf1ict it on the public ex- cept for the prominence given to the incident in your issue of Tuesday ev- ening under the heading "Peeper Frightens a Neighborhood," and the exceeding prominence given my name in the caption.
 But my own grievance is petty com pared to the principle shown in this story, and the question arises: Is the liberty of a law-abiding citizen to be at the mercy of a petty police official? Is his wIirn all that stands between a peaceable stranger and a night in the lookup? It would seem so, for mark you, this officer of the 3rd Precinct had already satisfied himself that l was alright and had given me my free dom, when my not unreasonable com plaint, caused his temper to give way. and knowing in his heart that my ac- count of myself and my doings was true he gave orders to have me locked up for the night and detained for in vestigation. when I had been already 
 Is this pretext of investigation, to be made the Instrument of Police mans spite without regard to law?
 Since the affair the police have been making enquiries at my hotel and I have had no little trouble in convinc- ing my host that he is not harboring some notorious criminal.
 I would submit the query. are We go- ing to state of affairs when meddle- some police officials will require us to produce passports when we wander outside our home block?
 Anticipating that as much pronlin- ence will be given to my story as has been given to my nisadventure, l thank you.
 Sincerely,
 T KIRWIN