The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-04-15
SAFETY BOARD
THRESHED OUT
A LOAN CASE
STORY OF HOW
LOAN OF TWENTY DOLLARS IN
CREASED TO THE SUM OF
THIRTY DOLLARS IN 90 DAYS.

One of the most interesting cases
that has ever been tried out by the
board of safety was that heard last
night when the board held a special
session for the purpose of considering
charges against Fireman H. H. Bicker
and Policemen Cowart and Murphy.
Mr.. Cowart, who accidentally shot
himself in the leg, was unable to ap-
pear and hearing Of his case was post
poned until he is able to attend
meeting. In the meantime he stands
charged with conduct unbecoming an
officer, etc. officer Murphy was tried
on charges Of failing to report for
duty. The testimony in his case was
adduced from members of the police
department exclusively, and the
charges which had been preferred
against him were sustained. The only
punishment handed out to him was
the sustaining of charges by the mar
shall, and also sustaining the marshal
in the matter of suspending him from
duty for a period of "a hours. That
ended the cases against the men in
the police department until Mr.. Cowart
will be able to appear.
A Loan Case.
Fireman Henry H. Bicker was be-
fore the board on charges of failing to
pay back loan obtained from local
brokerage" firm, designated as the
Star Brokerage Company. Bicker
pleaded guilty, but a statement from
him placed a different aspect upon
things concerning his case.
1t was shown that the fireman, on
Dec. 1, of last year, had contracted a
loan of $40 from the company, but the
%I1 o,I &c coF1 q
claim for $40. Bicker said that he OBJ
tanned but $40, and did not know that
he was to pay back the additional ten
dollars. In explanation of the in
creased amount in the loan, A. Sierra,
who acted for the company and who
signed the contract with the fireman,
stated that the increase was accounted
for as follows: The principal was 500,
bit there had been added a broker
age" fee of $9S5, and % cents interest
for the ninety days of which he had
the use of the money. THE contract"
was produced, and it was seen to have
been a blank agreement between one
Almon Cotton, of Texas, and H. H
Bicker, of Pensacola, Fla, for the sum
of $50.
In his statement, Becker said: 81
was in a hurry when / went to get the
money. I wanted twenty dollars, and
did not know that 1 was to pay back
thirty dollars. I signed the paper all
right, but all the blanks had not been
| filled in. l didn't know just what it
was, but I signed it all right. I sure
did not know it meant thirty dollars
in return, but l am willing to pay it
back, and will make payment of five
dollars each payday"
1 oil 0r, Toe T0hr To- ~
chair, and Messrs. Villar and Williams
made up the quorum Mr. Williams
examined the paper at length and
then passed it over by request to Mr..
| Villar. The latter scanned it closely
reading the agreement" with evident
| and studious interest. He dropped the
| paper at length and then the chairman
| interested himself in it. At Length
| Mr.. Williams moved that the fireman
be compelled to pay back the prin
| cipal, which was $40, with interest a,
10 per cent. He did not get a sec
ond. Mr.. Nillar said he would second
the motion if it was at s per cent
The board could not agree and shor
recess was declared. Upon reconven
ing, Mr.. Villar made the. motion tina
the fireman be called upon to pay tn,
debt of $40, at the interest rate of
per cent, ana LnlS pTeFdleu.
Miscellaneous.
Firemen Shuttleworth and Fitz
patrick were given permission upor
application to leave truck houses
their applications having been ap
proved by Chief Bicker.
Captain Wilde requested pay TO
fourteen days of lost time on accoun
of injuries received while on duty.
was allowed.
Mr.. Villar said that he had matte