New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-18
WALDO JUST CAN'T
AVOID TROUBLE
Field Artillery, in Rapid Retreat
in War Game. Hits Conn.,
miSSiOner'S Automobile.
HIS FAULT. SOLDIERS SAY
Not So, Says Head of Police De-
partment, and Demands $40
of Provost for a Smashed
Mudguard.

W Jug udI u
IBy Telegraph to The Tribune
Newtown, Conn. Aug. 11.-During
the retreat OF a battery Of field artil-
lery in the midst Of the hottest part OF
the battle at Newtown to-day an auto
mobile occupied by Police Commits
sioner Waldo Of New York was crashed
into by one Of the gun carriages.
Mr.. Waldo few into rage and
jumped out Of his car, demanding that
he be reimbursed for the damage done.
The Commissioner was tartly told by
Captain Reed. Of the United States
army. attached to the battery as pro-
vost marshal that nc did not believe
he deserved a five-cent piece for the
injury done his automobile. saying Il
was his own fault.
The smashup, such as e was, took
place on the Taunton Road. Battery
D, I'd New York ARTILLERY. OF the
Blue army. had held a position COM
manding the approaches from New
town. but was forced 10 make a quick
retreat by q flank movement on the
part OF a regiment OF Red infantry.
The Commissioner had taken UP a
position in his automobile at a sharp
turn in the road, hundred Yards from
the batteries. His car was driven part
way up on the grass beside the road.
but not entirely of the highway. as
the rear left wheel was still in the
ruts.
It was necessary for the retreating
artiilery 10 make q quick turn around
this sharp bend in the road at top
speed in order TO execute the manpu-
vre they had been commanded to per-
form. Delay would have meant capt
ure
Warned to Get Out OF Way.
The first tvo guns Of the battery
cleared the wheels OF the Commission
er's automobile by a close margin and
the artillerymen yelled a. the occu-
pants Of the car 70 get out Of the way.
Apparently the man a, the vince. made
10 effort TO move.
Then the third battery dashed up,
smashing with great force into the
automobile. nearly upsetting il and
-. a n - al
most vertical position.
Where is the provost. where is the
provost" yelled the COMMISSIONS
leaping out OF his car. But by this
time there was no provost in sight and
the smoke bcgrimed artillerymen were
TOO much engrossed with their battle
10 pay any attention 10 him
Mr.. Waldo strobe angrlly along the
found Captain Reed. VINO was attached
10 the command az provost marshal
Captain Reed a: once rode back 20 the
scene Of the accident With him.
I saw II myself" the captain de-
clared. and I don't think you deserve
q five-cent piece. Your car had no
business where II was out in the road
81 demand reimbursement" shouted
the Commissioner. MY mudGuard is
well il is bent and the paint is
scratched"
"Tll make a note o. g." replied Cap
tain Reed. but I don't think YOU viii
get anything.
"puffisns!" Says Woman IN Black
Ateanwbihe a woman dressed IN black
said 20 be the Commissioner wife
stood ND in the car and began 10 talk
excitedly.
"They are ruffians. they did IT on
purpose" she cried. Y saw what they
did-they did il uialiciously. This IL
an outrage. II is all right for the legit-
innate damage the troops DO. but this
was q case OF pure maliciousness.
Meanwhile :he Commissioner had
completed giving his name and address
to Captain Reed.
HOY. much damage 90 YOU demand|
the captain asked.
The Commissioner glanced at the
scratched paint or the mudguard Of
his car. which the chauffeur by this
time had bent back into place.
Well" he said. after moments hes
itation. III have to get a mudguard.
l want $40"
Captain Reed grimly dotted down the
amount In his notebook.
These people come here and block
tn movements Of the troops, and then
expect to get paid for it, he said TO
a bystander. az he turned his horse and
rode after the retreating artillery, dis
appearing up the road TO Taunton IN
cloud OF dust.