Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-02-24
FORRER DROPPED;
TAYL0R'S STATEMENT
[Continued from First Page1

I
method in which books and reports
were kept in the commissions offices,
limited at the manner in which plants
and trees had been given to other
nurseries, and concluded his remarks
with a prayer for fair play on the
part of Harrisburg citizens. He said
ne wanted chance to make good as
park commissioner and didn't think he
should be condemned before he had
that chance. He didn't mean to be
considered as charging dishonesty, he
said, but inefficiency and looseness in
the conduct of the department.
Again and again the shouts Of the
children filled the Courthouse corri-
dors while Mr.. Taylor read his state
ment.
Mayor Royal defended Forrer and
replied to the charges of Taylor. He
referred to the books of the office and
to letters to substantiate his defense.
When the vote was called finally
Mayor Royal and Commissioner Cor
gas voted against the resolution and
commissioners Bowman, Lynch and
Taylor voted for it,
Charges Against Shunmn
After an hours wordy battle be-
tween Mayor Royal and Commission
ers Lynch, Bowman and Taylor, dur
ing which the Mayor made sensational
charges against w. H. Shuman, pro-
posed appointee by the ripper" reso-
luton, Council adopted unanimously
commissioner Gorgas' amendment to
| withhold the name of Shuman pending
an investigation.
| Among other things the Mayor hint
ed that Hiram Wagner, who may be
deposed for Shuman, had been him
dered in his attempts to learn the
workings of the motor patrol by tam
| perings" with the machinery; that
| Shuman was a drinking man; that
Shuman had openly used profane Ian
guage about the Mayor and had de-
clared that he meant to get back on
the force because he had three Com
missioners" back of him.
| Other charges of q sensational
character were made against other
patrolmen, but no names were men
toned
Prior to the offering of the Shu.
! man. Wagner amendment, Mayor
Royal offered an amendment substi-
tuting the names of the present Of
| ficers of his force dropped by the
ripper for the new appointees. This
was voted down by to g.,
Another amendment offered by the
Mayor, providing for the substitution
or Spicer for Halbert as assistant fire
chief was also voted down 3 to 2.
Mayors Long Talk
For half an hour the Mayor decried
the action of Commissioners Bowman
Lynch and Taylor in forcing the dis
missal of his policemen. He declared
the whole purpose of the resolution
was to get at" members of his force
In conclusion the Mayor read an af-
fidavit from JAMES Mitchell, one of the
policemen dismissed a few weeks ago
IN which Mitchell sets forth that he
inquired OF Commissioner Lynch, faith
er of the resolution, as to whether
there was anything in the way of
charges for inefficiency, or incompe-
tency to be preferred against him.
Lynch told him, so the affidavit says,
that there was nothing against him
personally, but that he wasn't
straight and regular and that he
didn't need to worry as he would soon
have lots of company"
In reply Mr.. Lynch declared that
there wasn't anything criminal about
that, that he could see."
The Mayor and Commissioners Lynch
had several lively tilts, particularly
when Lynch called attention to the
dismissal of the Mayors highway com
missioner, Elmer E. Fritchey.
The Mayor charged him with having
in mind plan to appoint a chief in
spector after April / who will fill
practically The same position as a
highway commissioner whereas he.
Lynch, had declared to the Mayor that
he dismissed Fritchey because he
believed he could do the work him
self.
Lynch Makes Return Charge
But added Commissioner Lynch
coolly, "if 1 do appoint such an Off
cial, he'll be competent and efficient
and he won't be appointed for politi-
cal reasons"
Among the charges Mayor Royal
made against certain of the new po-
lice appointees, whom, however, he
failed to name, were gambling and
marital infidelity. More of the un-
qualified statements that have been
made from time to time during the
councilmanic controversies developed
there.
The Mayor HAS Heard"
Why declared the Mayor, 81 have
heard-now I don't know whether
there is any truth of this or not-but
I've heard that one of the officers
brought down the wrath of the powers
that be upon his head because he had
arrested relative of one of the city
officials
Commissioners Bowman, Lynch.
Taylor and Gorgas looked perfectly
blank. For moment there was si-
lence.
"A relative?" asked Commissioner
Taylor.
Who can't that me, Mayor?" asked
Commissioner Lynch.
Surely" grinned Commissioner
Bowman, ut couldn't have been
Cousin jim. James Fl. Grove.
Building Inspector, is cousin Of Mr.
Bowman.
''Well," mildly resumed the Mayor,
I'm only giving you what I've heard"
Taylor Objects to "Hearsay''
Commissioner Taylor declared that
he didn't want to hear these allega-
tions unless they were substantiated
with proof. Everything is 'iteis said
and what you've heard Why not
give us something to back it up?' Tay-
lor suggested.
"Mr. Mayor" interrupted Commits
sioner Bowman, II can say here that
If any of these charges are true and
1t can be shown that the appointees
are not fit to serve, or that they dis
obey your orders or those of the chief
of police, l willingly promise you nv
vote ito support their dismissal"
why there's no question about
that" endorsed Commissioner Lynch.
We'll all do that
Taylor Wants "Fair Play
In pleading for fair play" from the
people of Harrisburg in that he be per-
mitted to have a chance to conduct his
he was elected by the people, Commits
sioner Taylor said:
"There Is certain prominent gentle-
man in this city who in announcing his
candidacy for the Democratic nomina-
Dlank.