Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-09-15
ALDERMEN AS INVESTIGATORS
.nquiring into Police Affairs and
Electric Light Matters.
r. r, COnlon GetU the Contract on
$1,000 hid for collecting tho City's
Gnrbagc-lsuIes for House,
holders.

Members Of the board of aldermen de-
veoped into regular big league investi-
gators at the special meeting of .he board
Monday night. Nothing seemed to big for
the aldermen to tackle, ana they went
into the Investigating business on
large scale.
The police commissioners appeared be-
fore the board to tell what was wrong
In tho police department. This was in
accord with a motion passed at the last
meeting, calling on the police commits
sioners to explain why 80 mary claims
are made by officers for pay In cases
where the men arc laid off without suf-
ticient reason and never given hearing
before the police commissioners.
The particular case in question ia that
Of John p Lavigne who claims pay to
the amount Of about $l75. Lavigne is
the officer who claims he was laid off
by Mayor Burke and never given a trial
before the police commissioners. The
mayor does not deny that no laid Lavigne
off but claims that the officer was not
able to work and was given two trials
and found physically unfit both times.
The exact reason why charges were
never preferred against Lavigne was not
the aldermen are trying to ascertain.
Police Commissioner Powers spoke for
the commissioners. although he
Raid he had not been notified to appear.
He said he was ready to answer any
questions put to him.
Alderman Barnes started the matter
by asking what the trouble was that so
many claims were coming before the
board. Mr.. Powers said 1t was probably
because the police commissioners had no
power
who discharged Lavigne?" Mr.. Pow
srs was asked.
Il suppose the mayor did" replied tho
commissioner. The commissioners
couldn't buy a whisk broom without per-
mission.
Were charges ever preferred against
the officer"
mo"
The mayor said that he supposed the
matter was at an end when DR.. c. II.
Beecher, Lavgne's physician, reported
that the officer was unable to perform
police duty. The mayor said he was az
surprised as any member Of the board
when the claim was sent in.
1T would have been more business-like
20 have preferred the charges at once, .
objected Alderman Barnes.
We'll, perhaps 1t would have" replied
The mayor. But no charges were ever
made and that's all there Is to IT,
Then according 10 law the man Is still
an officer and on the police force" inter
posed Alderman Clarke.
ExJudge H. s. Peck appeared before
the board representing Mr.. Lavigne and
stated that he expected the board woult
Alderman Coffey moved that the chail
appoint committee to call on Or
ncecher and ascertain what the condition
Of Lavigne's health was at the time he
back to the board. The chair appointed
Ncssrs. Coffey, Barnes and Cowles.
Now IL the time for the police com
m!ssioners to make statements to tn,
board II they have any complaints t
make" said Alderman Barnes when thi
matter was disposed Of.
'"rhe commissioners have no complaint
20 make" said Mr. Powers. y though
the board wanted to Investigate the polio
commissioners.
do they need invest!gating?" aske
Mr.. Barnes.
"Tho board might find a lot OF thing
wrong II 1t started IN to investigate" re
piled Mr., Powers.