Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-18


ent want of unison of all factors to the
unfortunate affair, the information is ia
vorable as to attentions and service OF
the police"
Identity Not Divulged.
The major saw fit not to make any re-
port on the identity Of the two policemen
who are said to have refused to move
from their posts at the sidelines when
urgently requested to get patrol wagon
or an ambulance. Forty or more persons
were questioned by Inspector Cross and
Capt. Schneider and the stenographic notes
of the inquiry do not point conclusively
at any men who could be positively iden-
titled.
Concerning Acting serst. McQuade. the
report says further:
1T is apparent that the acting sergeant
in this case gave testimony before the
coroner's jury displaying want Of study
Of the regulations as to his status as an
am informed, tender to mislead the jury
as to his authority in such emergencies
and to question the sufficiency of the
Later Mcouade told the inspector that
his replies to the jury were made through
a misunderstanding.
Capt. Schneider comes in for this criti-
cism:
1T is also clear that the captain before
the coroner's jury did not clearly define
the regulations and question Of discrimi-
nation and discretion in a case of acct
dent as against arrest"
Duties Defined In Manual.
1t will be remembered that the police
were criticised for the manner in which
Archer Christians brother was treated
as he tried to board the patrol wagon on
its way to the hospital. Lear was the
man In charge OF the wagon, and Nc
Quade jumped aboard, thereby becoming
the officer In charge. according to the
rules of the police department. Maj. Syl-
vester goes into extensive detail in show
ing to Commissioner West that he has
endeavored to instruct his men exactly
what to do in emergency cases. The re-
port shows that in case of accident, sim
liar to the accident to Archer Christian,
every police officer Is expected to use
skill and discretion.
1t shows that while the rules strictly
prohibit the indiscriminate piling in 81
policemen or others into a patrol wagon,
In the case under consideration the patrol
wagon was used as an ambulance and
that IL II had been necessary to tear the
top and sides on to help the injured boy
in any way, 1t would have been permiSsi-
BILE and obligatory.
furthermore, the majors report says
that every policeman must render all the
assistance needed in accidents or ILL
nesses, and that the presence OF physicians
in the wagon was needed assistance.
A difference Is shown in the testimony
as to which hospital the run should be
made.
Had the directing or known surgeon
called to the acting sergeant (McQuade)
or superior officer to go to any one hos
pital he should have had the wagon man
comply with the request, and II would
!. - scu~1vr
ton on the part Of the superior officer
to comply with the demand"
The report argues that inasmuch as
there are two pages Of the manual given
over to directions for caring for injured
persons the policemen should know what
to do. The rule is to go to the nearest
hospital in the absence OF a surgeon,
but when a surgeon Is present the re-
port states he is such assistance as may
be needed" and under the skill and dis
erection" clause his directions should be
followed by the police. but certainly the
request should be made by the surgeon
In a manner that the ofncer In charge
may clearly understand"
Done Under Excitement.
AS to the complaints that Archer Chris
tian's brother, who attempted to board
the patrol wagon. was too roughly
treated by the policemen on the rear end
OF the wagon. there is no definite recon-
mendation on the part Of the major
His report describes the scene at the
wagon. states that some witnesses said
the boy was struck. others said he was
showed and others said he was pushed
There followed excitement and calls
from the crowd that he was a brother
and the captain called to allow him to
CO.. and finally he was permitted to do
So"
The ma ior reported that fhora mo. -
much excitement that the men on the
wagon were naturally confused, but that
had they heard or known that the boy
was a brother. and had they heard the
captains order. they should Immediately
have allowed the young man aboard the
wagon.
The report has a paragraph in which it
is stated that the police department has
paratively. that there is not much time
for a school OF instruction under the
majors own direction. and that naturally
the captains must promulgate the regu-
lations and give instruction.
Attached to the report were copies OF
letters. r. w. Darlington, manager Of
the University Of Virginia foot ball team,
wrote that in his opinion the ''shortcom-
seemed to be due to haste and excitability
rather than to any cruel or grossly
negligent acts"
w. A. Lambeth of the University Of
Virginia wrote that he was hurt and
angry at the time OF the occurrence at
the end of the patrol wagon. but later
realized the officers were acting under
instruction"
Edward Hammond johnson. an attorney
Of Norfolk. wrote that he believed 1.-The
excitement was the sole reason for the
cotton OF the police but that he believed
| they acted in good faith, with no inten-
ton Of brutality.
Deputy Coroner Glazebrook wrote that
he had made no formal or informal
| charges against the police department