Los Angeles herald., 1910-05-11
oSEPH HARTNAGLE, the police
man who resigned at the meeting


y of the police commissioners Mon
day evening, has confessed that he
left the department because he had
been detected while on duty in the
act of selling opium which he and
other policemen secured in raids on
opium dens in Chinatown while serv
ing under Charles Dixon, captain of
the purity squad who was given
command of the Chinatown district to
stop the smoking of opium and help
enforce the state law which makes ii
a felony to sell or have the drug in
possession.
Hartnagle says he made a full con-
fession to Chief of Police Galloway
last Friday, that after hearing his
statements the chief sent him to Mayor
Alexander. to whom he also made a
confession and that the mayor sent
him back to Galloway, who ordered
him to report to Captain Dixon and
turn in his star and other things which
belong to the department.
OFFICIALS SILENT
Mayor Alexander and Chief Gallo
way refuse to discuss the case or to
explain why they permitted Hartnagle
to resign after he had confessed that
he was guilty of a felony.
Charles Wellborn. one of the police
commissioners. declared that if Hart
nagle's confession had been made to
him he would have laid the case be-
fore the grand jury or placed the facts
in possession of the district attorney.
John Topham, another member of the
commission, thinks this should have
been done.
Hartnagle blameS captain Dixon Tor
his downfall.
Hartnagles resignation was rushed
through the police commission at the
Monday night meeting. 1t Is alleged,
without any inquiries as to the cause.
Hartnagle admitted yesterday that
he had been guilty of selling opium to
Chinese and had been engaged in the
practice for nearly a year.
Hartnagle talked plainly and admit
ted he had been guilty of disposing
of opium while on duty as a member
of the Chinatown squad. He admit
ted the drug had been obtained in
raids in Chinatown. He involved an
other patrolman in his confession, but
although he denied the fact 1t has
been known for long time about po-
lice headquarters that ''the man in
volved" was also q member of Captain
Dixon's purity squad"
= HELD OUT DRUG
When raid on a Chinese opium
den was made a number of cans of
opium would be taken. it is alleged,
and one can would be used as evil
dence, the others having been sold by
Hartnagle. He does not deny this.
1t is also alleged that Hartnagle ad-
mitted to the chief of police that he
was implicated in the robbery of Jo-
seph Markham, an acknowledged crook,
a year ago. Markham was arrested on
suspicion by Patrolmen Bortoff and
Hartnagle. On his release he COM
planned at the property clerks desk
that he had been ''frisked" of a re-
volver, o diamond cutter and other
articles. Hartnagle denied this, but
said the articles might" have been
stolen.
Apparently the seriousness of Hart
nagel's offense had not been realized
by Mayor Alexander, Chief of Police
Galloway or members of the police
commission despite the fact that there
is good reason to believe all of them
were thoroughly familiar with the Of
ficer's long continued thievery.
The mayor Commissioner Topham
and the chief were in attendance upon
the Brooks benefit ball at Goldberg
Bosley assembly hall last night, and
1t was there that Mr.. Topham made
his statement:
"If the facts are as 1 have been
informed, we may have made q
mistake. The case now seems to be
one for the grand jury to investigate"
point blank to discuss the matter 81
have nothing to say" he asserted. And
again, 81 will not talk about 1t. I
positively will make no statement re-
garding the matter"
When informed of what Commission
er Topham had said he seemed sur
prised and a little indignant. A mo-
ment later he donned his overcoat and
left the hall, calling upon Chief Gal
loway to escort him to the door.
where's Topham?" he asked of the
chief.
A CONFERENCE
Mr.. Topham was found, the chief
calling him outside, where the three
men held a hurried consultation. 1t
looked very much as though the COM
missioner was being advised not to
talk. Then Mr.. Topham disappeared,
and the chief, mounting the steps to
re-enter the ballroom, was halted on
the way by the newspaper men.
"I cannot talk about it," he pro-
tested, good -naturedly
"But Hartnagle says he confessed to
you" was suggested
"Does he? Well, let him talk.
won't. You can quote him.
"But some think that you and the
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