Evening journal., 1913-12-18
JUDGE KIND
TO COPS WHO
LOa SUMMONS
First Time it Ever Happened
So Batch Of Contempt
Charges Fall
COURT WANTS NEW
SYSTEM HEREAFTER

In City Court this morning Judge
churchman dismissed the charges OF
contempt of court against Police Cap.
tains Charles e. Evans and Thomas
A. Kane, House Sergeant James B
Tucker and Acting Sergeant Thoma,
l.. Keyser and Patrolmen John Nc
Laughin, Thomas j. virden. Arthur
H. Rodenhciscr. George Gilling. Ceci
y, Reeder, Howard Palmer and Ser.
geants Daniel NJ. Kelleher and VIII.
liam J. Massey. The charges grew
out OF the failure OF the officers namcd
in not serving a subpoena on Sam
uel Brooks. Of No. 902 Pine street
who was wanted as a witness in the
case of Thomas f. Holmes. who was
charged with non-support. in City
Court on Monday and who on Tues
day attempted to shoot the police who
were seeking him. At that time
Holmes attempted suicide and is now
confined to the Delaware Hospital
suffering from self-innicted wounds
/ In dsmissing the case today Judge
Churchman said the method In vogue
by the police I'm issuing subpoenas
and the recording of the same was
not In keeping with a system such
as city with population OF 100000
iahould have. He also said that he
would embody his suggestions in
report which will be given to the Po-
lice Commission.
The churgos against the men were dis
missed after Chief of Police Black hao
made q statement following the henrina
of several witnesses Chief Black sale
the ease was the first he ever heart OF &
subpoena being lost The men undc
him. Chief Black said were always will.
me TO rerve the suhpoonas and he dit
mot think the subpoena had been lost in
tcntionally.
ln dismissng The men Judge Church
= mcn said all subpoenas for witncssc
Il needed in City Court should be- rcquestc
. ina writing and thosc desiring the wi
nesscs should write the names ol tho
j ocsifed instcud OF expecting tl,o office
60 spell the names. ln additiou Il
: information, together With what dlsl
OF J sitiou s nude oi the subpoena. shu,
~ Pee noted in ihr s.imc book Us sHej4As,.
lc ters are recorded n tho shorin's on
n loF the Count Of General Sessions n
other courts
When the case was called today n
officers were lined up Ia front of N
court bench and The Indictment rcal
n i. Frank Ball represented Holmes /
y City Court when the request for III
continuance of the charge against hin
was made II was az the request o
Mr. Ball that a subpoena was ISSUED
. for Brooks as a witness. After beinf
I sworn today Mr.. Ball said he desired
20 make "A statement This was TO IN,
effect that he did not appear as pro.
/ scouting the officers. who had always
been willing TO help him in getting
: Witnesses. Judge Churchman said II
, was understood that Mr.. Ball was not
prosecuting the officers. Mr. Ball ther
told OF requesting the police through
Mr.. Gaynor. the police operator. e
have a subpoena issued for Brooks
appearance in City Court on Monda,
morning. This was at III O'clock OF
Saturday morning.
q Mr.. Gaynor said he received the re
b quest from Mr.. Ball and he informe
g Captain Evans. who found Brook
r home address in the city director.
i Captain Evans said he gave the ad
a dress to House Sergeant Tucker, VIII
t was making out the subpoena, an
later House Sergeant Tucker place
the summons on the desk. where
n remained until five o'clock. At tina
r. time, Captain Evans said he passe
D, out a number of summons in the clu
r, liquor cases. as well as three wal
rants. and he thought the Brook
Is summons was in with the rest.
Continued on Page Thirtecn).