Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1911-07-19
POLICEMAN R|GA1|
CITY ATTORNEY or VIRGINIA.
uPHoLDs PATRoLMAN
NOW IN TROUBLE.
THE GOVERNORS AUTO
eiuscoat q Declared Within Authority
Ia Ordering Car. to stop.-Po.
lice Chief Refuses 70 Enforce
suspension Ruling.

City Attorney PORTER Of Virginia
declares he fails to see that any
difference whatsoever Is made In the
construction and enforcement OF 4 city
ordinance against automobile speeding
by the fact that the governor OF the
state happens to be in the car at the
time. Mr.. Poiriet is. therefore, stand
Ing by Patrolman Rickles Of the range
city, whom the police board Of the
place has ordered suspended for 10
days because of his action on June "a
In ordering the stopping Of speeding
machine containing Governor Eberhart
and others, including Mayor Hawkin.
son Of Virginia.
The Virginia city attorney 10 stand
Ing by the patrolman, and 80 is the
police chief, despite the order Of the
police commissioners. Mayor Hawkin-
son takes the opposite stand and holds
that the patrolman exceeded the nice
ties OF the law and its requirements
when he interfered with conveyance
bearing the chief executive Of the
state, and should be punished for his
temerity. The patrolman was still on
the Job, at last reports, the chief refus-
ing to make effective the mandate of
the board. Rickies maintains he il
getting "a raw deal"
Meanwhile Governor Eberhart. while
acknowledging that the car in which
he was riding in the Virginia incident
was speeding, refrains from admitting
that the patrolman did his duty. or
from expressing any sympathy for him
In his present predicament.
: Governor States Viewpoint.
"The matter is up to the local au-
thortties Of Virginia." said the gov.
ernor. Il fail to see why should in
terfere. The suspension action has not
been reported to me officially" Asked
II he might take some step to inter-
cede with the Virginia authorities for
leniency toward the patrolman, the
governor said he would not.
I Patrolman Rickies declares that he
saw rapidly speeding automobile ap-
preaching and, standing in the middle
OF the street, ordered the chauffer to
stop, that the chauffer footed his horn
loudly and put on more speed: that he
(Rlckfes) was compelled to jump to
one side and pulled revolver to en-.
force his order; that Mayor Hawkinson
saw the gun and waved a hand at
R1ckies, saying, Never mind that gun.
put 1t where it belongs"
The automobile did not slacken
speed, says the patrolman, but kept on
at a rapid rate till the party arrived at
the iron range depot. The incident
took place entirely within the city
limits.
Exceeding the speed limit contin-
ued nearly two miles, through the
heart of the city and down the main
business thorougkfare. The speeding
and pulling of his revolver by the no
hceman were generally commented up-
on and the police and fire commission
took action.
Mayor Admits Violation.
Mayor Hawkinson admits the auto
mobile was exceeding the speed law.
G. L. Lenont, president of the police
ana fire commission, declares Patrol
man Rfckles exercised poor judgment
and considers the proposed punish
ment light. City Attorney Poirier saws
Rickles acted entirely within his au-
thority in pulling the revolver II the
party was violating the speed law. and
says he believes the policeman was
right under the law in using the means
his judgment thought best in enforc.
ing order. Chief Walsh says enforce.
ment OF the ruling Of the police and
11re commission would deprive the no.
lice OF power to enforce the speed law
IN the city and would establish a pre-
cedent encouraging violations Of the
speed law. Mayor Hawkinson says Pa.
troiman Rtckles knew who occupied
the speeding automobile and knew res
1dents Of Virginia and hence there was
no justification for pulling the re.
volver.
MRS. MCCLURE APPOINTED.
Administration Of Saltwater Lumber.
mans Estate Granted.