The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-08-04
OPEN SESSIONS
SAFETY BOARD
IN THE FUTURE
NO MORE STAR CHAMBER MEET
NGs-MEMRER ACCUSES NEWS
PAPERS OF PRINTING UNFAIR
REPoRTs-THE USUAL WRAN-
GLE FEATURES THE MEETING.

body and not one-sided reports, such
as have been printed for the past sew
eral months" The resolution was
adopted. This resolution was called
forth by the Introduction Of a resolu-
ton by e. p. Preston, to the effect that
executive sessions should be abolished.
1t was stated in the introduced to
Preston's resolution that the board had
been severely criticised by the press
and public Of Pensacola for holding
executive sessions and transacting i'm
portant business behind closed doors
This resolution was adopted in the be-
ginning Of the meeting, but was recon
sidered just before the close of the
session and a substitute adopted. The
substitute resolution provides for the
abolition Of the executive sessions, but
does not contain the reference to the
criticism Of the press and public.
AS TO EXAMINATIONS.
When the subject Of examinations
for the men in the police department
was preached 1t was like dropping a
match IN a can of powder, and two
members Of the board came almost to
blows. while the chairman was COM
PEELED to almost beat a hole in the
table in the effort to call them to
order.
The discussion started when Charles
F-iedrichsen, chairman Of the commit
tee appointed to prepare the questions,
reported that the questions were ready
and asked the chairman to set a time
for the holding of the examina ton, and
the question was asked as to whether
or not it was the intention to examine
the entire police force or only the men
who have not passed an examination.
1t soon developed that there was a con
siderable diversity Of opinion as 70
which should be done. r. P Preston
sol h6f he fY4t Tar
and that It was his intention and his
idea to have all Of the men examined
and he proceeded to argue in favor of
the examination of the entire force,
while Messrs. Johnson and Williams
opposed the examination of the old
men who have already been examined.
1t was at this point that e. P. Pres
ton heatedIy declared that there was a
scheme to shield some Of the older men
on the force who were incapable of
standing the examination. P. J. Will
liams angriiy retorted that Preston
could not make such a charge, and in
an instant both men were on their
feet and words about settling it per-
sonally, ETC., were passed back and
forth across the table before the chair
man could restore order.
The final resort was that the original
resolution was reconsidered and it was
decided to examine only the men in
the department who have not stood an
examination at present and later to
examine the entire department
JOHNSON DEFENDS BOARD.
Shortly before the meeting adjourned
Joseph L Johnson asked as a personal
privilege to be allowed to refer back to
the resolution Of 3. P. Preston in re-
gard to the executive sessions, giving
as his reason the fact that the resolu-
tion had been adopted before he ar
Yfr Yad ~ fhA Ia Sof7
himself as bitterly opposed to the
adoption of the resolution and stated
that had he been present he would
have voted against it He declared
the criticisms passed upon the board
on account of holding executive ses
sions to be unjust. He criticised a
recent editorial in The Journal and
to have a personal spite in the matter
and charged that the habit was chronic
with the writer. He said that the
adoption of the resolution simply meant
an admission of the things charged by
the newspapers. He de7ed anybody to
show where anything had ever been
done in executive session except the
voting on the verdicts in trials of men
in the department.
e. P. Preston asked Mr.. johnson II a
captain had not been elected recently
during an executive session, but
Messrs. Johnson and Williams, both of
whom were members of the old board
denied this and stated that they were
positive that such had not been the
case.
After a general discussion ON the
subject, the resolution was reconsid
cred and a substitute adopted, as al
ready stated.
TRIALS.
Geo. JONES' fireman, was convicted
on the charges Of being asleep while
on watch and of threatening his su-
pertor officer and was suspended for
thirty days. A number of witnesses
were examined. including the chief OF
the department. The chief stated that
Jones had been good fireman and
that he only recalled one instance
where he had been before the board
and that YVES more than three years
ago. On the first ballot two members
vice and two voted against the mo-
tion. the chairman deciding the oues-
ton by voting against the motion.
Police Officer D. d. Shuttleworth was
charged with violating section II of
the rules and regulations governing
the police department. to-wit: conduct
unbecoming an officer while not on
duty but IN uniform. He pleaded
guilty and stated that he had been in
the departments under the jurisdiction
of the board Of safety for about eight
years end that this was his first Of
| tense: He was suspended for Eve days
including twenty-four hours served al
the time charges were prefrred against
him.
Charges against Police Officer B. F,
Lowery were laid over until the next
meeting on account of the officer
being out Of the city.
OTHER BUSINESS.
The report of the chief of the fire de-
partment was received and fled. The
report showed the average cost OF
feeding horses for the month to have
been $11.04 per head. A further re-
port requested that the suspension OF
Capt. VIM. Donaldson imposed at the
last meeting be suspended and the
captain SLOWED to return to work
The request was endorsed by every
member of the board and the action
was ratified.
The report of the marshal showed
that during, the month of July 627 ar
rests were made and fines were as