The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-11-10
ALL But ONE COUNCILMAN
Vote TO retain JONES
action of the Steelton Council in Re-
instating Suspended Policeman Is
Taken Despite the Opposition of
Burgess Wigfeld

Borough Council put one over on
Burgess Wigield last evening, when,
with but Que dissenting voice, it was
decided to retain Patrolman Jones, who
was suspended in July by the Burgess,
reinstated in August by the Police com
mittee of Council, given a two weeks ;
vacation q short time ago and will now
be back on the job.
The causes assigned by Burgess Wig
field when he first suspended the police
man were insubordination and appear
ing for duty while under the influence
of liquor. After the Police committee
of Council had given the suspended
blueeoat a hearing it reinstated him.
The matter was finally brought to the
attention of Council and il was decided
by that body, after an opinion from
Borough Solicitor Wickersham, that the
first proceedings were unlawful and or
dered another investigation made by
the Police committee. The action ia
ken last night was upon the report of
the findings of the committee at its
last examination.
Last night Chairman Nelley, of the
Police committee. ventured his opinion
that James Gordon and William Lick
man, two of the witnesses, were preju-
diced against the patrolman, that for
eign witness was excited when the
events on which he testified occurred
and that another witness furnished tes-
timony that had no bearing on the
ease. He also criticised the methods
used by the Burgess in gathering evil
dence against Jones. The foreigner,
who was said to have been excited,
was the bridegroom at wedding, dur
ing the celebration of which some of
the offenses were said to have been
committed.
During this celebration, Chairman
Nelley said, there were more intoxi-
cants than were sold in any hotel in
the borough in two weeks. The "re-
freshments, he said, included . bar
rels of beer, eight eases of bottled beer
and $3.50 worth of whiskey.
Councilman Wagenbach asked why
there were four policemen at the wed
ding celebration and why was it nee.
essary for any of them to 20 into tine
cellar. Something is not quite
right" he said.
A vote on the motion of Chairman
Nelley 10 retain the patrolman was ia
ken, and the only dissenting vote audi
BILE was that of Councilman Reisch.
Following the vote Burgess Wigfeld,
given the privilege of the floor, de-
elared:
II want efficiency and the taxpayers
want efficiency il the police force, and
o. ! never thought that I would have to
fight so hard 20 get il. | want to say
that | am going TO control the police
department ana have efficiency if it is
the last thing do on earth
In his report last evening Fire Chief
Shupp recommended that some arrange
ment should be made with the commits
sioners of Swatara township to pay the
local fire department for It's services
in giving fire protection to the town
ship districts adjoining the borough.
The sense of his communication was
that. although the local tiremen have al
ways been willing to fight fires in the
township districts, they have received
no assistance from the township and,
on the contrary, have been hindered i'll
their operations.
In recent years the local department
has handled several big fires on Mohn
one of these fires it was necessary for
the firemen 10 turn stream into the
crowd to prevent the onlookers from
standing on the hose and hampering
them. A copy of the part of the fire
chiefs report bearing on the matter
will be sent TO the township commits.
sion.
TIE ordinance establishing a grade
on Reading stree. between Pine street
and Adams street was passed on second
reading. The traffic ordinance and the
ordinance providing for the removal of
snow were reported still in the hands of
committees. The proposed changes
in the system on street lighting were
not taken up last evening.
Councilman Henderson reported that
the street paving had been about com
pleted and that 4 few details vet re-
manned to be added. The work has
proven satisfactory and will be accept
ed when these details are finished.
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