Evening journal., 1913-10-16
POLICE PROBE
NOW REACHES
TO CIVILIANS
Commission OuizzeS NewSpa-
per Men For Information
Bearing on higgins
Affair
OBJECTION MADE BY
COMMISSIONER BOWERS

n Is, expected that the fourth day
ihearing of the Police Commissioners
investigation into the alleged misman-
agcment Of the recent Virgins shoot
inc affair by the police officers who
participated in II. which Is being held
this afternoon will develop some sem
sational testimony. az the witnesses
who have been subpoenaed 10 appear
at the hearing consists of a list of
civilians instead of police officials,
who have been testifying since the
probe began.
The witnesses who we're subpoenaed
were prepared Immediately after the
hearing was concluded yesterday, and
70 had been ascertained that the list
OF police witnesses had been ex-
haustod.
The first name to be placed on the
list was that of Jerome B. Bell. editor
OF the Sunday Star. which was fol-
lowed by Miss Lucy Healing, Miss
Mary Maloney and r. W. Wilson, vice.
president of the Wilmington Traction
Company. and Mrs Martha r. Jack.
General l. pusey Nickersham then
suggested placing on the list the
names of newspaper reporters who
have been connected with the case.
Mr.. Bowers Immediately objected TO
this. as he did not think they could
give any new testimony City Solicitor
Daniel o. Hastings then explained
that they might be able to tell some
thing that had not already been
printed.
DO you think that is possibleg'
asked Mr.. Bowers. causing laugh
among those present
The following names were then
added 20 the list. J. *. Weaver. r.
*. Jones and Louis Wagner. Of the
Morning News: Clifford f. Cross
grove. OF the Every Evening" George
IT, Maxwell. of THE EVENING JOUR
NAL: George Carter editor Of THE
EVENING JOURNAL: A. w. Cum
Minis. editor Of the Morning News;
John r. Hyatt OF the sunday STAR
= and Harry Hammerer.
Mr. Bowers also raised objection
TO Mir. Hammerer being included In
1.-THE list Of witnesses. claiming his
Testimony would not be material. Mr..
Hastings explained that Mr. Hammer
er was present at the station house
D. when the orders we're given to go af-
ter guns. and stated that the testi-
9 mony given by officer Robert Serson.
# true. was very material, and Mr..
, Hammerer would be a witness upon
{ this point
Mr.. Bowers then remarked that or
3 ficer Serson's testimony had teen un-
, supported By the other officers pres
p ent at that time.
= Nr. Hastings remarked that tie
y matter was I'm doubt and that whcr
Z things we're in doubt he. Mr. Bowers
q should satisfy himself and everyone
q else concerned in the matter. upon
u the subjects In doubt
Mr.. Bowers explained tnat his rea.
2 sons Tor raising the objections 10 thn
witnesses was because he did not
= want TO bankrupt the city IN taking
o such evidence. as they we're paving
Il tor a stenographer to take all the tes-
D. timony.
The little office Of the Chief Of 70
II lice Black. in which the hearings are
/. heinc conducted, was crowded when
y the hearing began this afternoon. the
new witnesses arousine redoubied in
terest i'm the proceedings. IN fhe aud
ience we're a number Of City Council
= men.
The hearing began al ! 80 o'clock.
u George Carter. editor of THE EVEN
g ING JOURNAL. being the first Wit
g ness called 20 testify
J. Nr. Hastings remarked that they
D. had called all officers on the list who
participated I'm the Battle Of Baxter
Corner" and he named the witnesses
who were 10 be called today. In ad-
dition to the names already given
we're those Of Clarence Killen. VIII
( liam McVey and Coroner John r.
Spring
Mr. Hastings asked Mt Carter II
Z. he knew any more persons who might
= give the commissioners any informa-
> ton
n "I do not" replied Mr.. Carter.
Is Mr. Hastings then spoke about az
n editorial. which appeared in THE
It EVENING JOURNAL of October 10
e and Mr.. Carter said he had written m,
editorial The editorial contained 4
d number of questions. which Mr. Car
l. ter said we're written as the result o.
of testimony brought out al the coroner
De inquest
n. One of the questions was to the Of
N feet that Virgins had appareptl'
s. walked about the street undisguise'
K. and established headquarters a shor
distance from the police station.
ie m heT.o hektkuest mfwyp nm
he Mr.. Carter explained that this wat
ge written as the result of statement
1n made by Miss Healing to the effec
H. that Virgins came and went from tn
house undisguised. Notwithstanding
@ the fact that he had wigs in SUITCASE
CT IN his room. He also mentioned ina
he he had been informed by James Pres
". ton. a barber. that Virgins had heei
"a shaved In his shop before his death
and was undisguised al the time.
ne Mr.. Carter stated all the question:
M i'm the editorial we're suggested by de
ne yelopments at the coroner's jury.
~ Mr. Carter then mentioned on
". thing that led Ia the editorial was IN
ne fact that the door 10 the room II
which Wiggins was cornered had
small wooden button on II. and an
strong man could have pusheo
81 open.
~ Mr. Bowers wanted 10 know II MI
NJ. Carter had intended 10 convey IN
al inference that there was dissension !
e the police department from TOP u
us bottom. by-his editorials.
Mr.. Carter replied that he did no
" intend to convey the inference tha
'el there was dissension from top TO BOT
de tom. but that on certain occasions Ger
nd tain parts Of the police force ul'
ed not work together as they should. n
quoted an instance from a rumor =
substantate his reasons for Interim
this -.