The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-10-15
OFFICER JONES Given A
HEARING BY committee
Members of Borough Police Force Fond
of Chicken. But Taboo Beer-Many
Persons Attended Inquiry Into
Charges Against Policeman

A second hearing in the ease of Pa
trolman Jones, who was suspended by
Burgess Wig6eld several months ago
and later reinstated by the police COM
mittee of Council a few weeks later,
was held in the Council chamber last
evening.
This hea. was ordered by Council
at its October meeting after finding
out that the previous action of the po-
lice committee in reinstating the sus.
pended officer was irregular.
The Burgess made a charge of insub-
ordination, neglect of duty and iutox-
ication against Officer Jones and the
latter, in defending himself against
these charges, presented large num-
her of witnesses whose testimony dis
proved the allegations made by Burgess
Wsgfeld.
Seated with the police committee,
composed Of Chairman Nelley. Council
man Henderson and Councilman Sellers.
was Borough Solicitor T. B. Wicker
sham. who. with the committee and
Burgess Wigfeld, questioned tthe wit,
ness.
The conduct of Patroiman Jones,
which resulted in his dismissal in July,
was first taken M and testimony heard
FROM Charles Gordon. Mr.. and Mrs. W.
Z. Dickson. DR.. C. II. Cram ton, of
Harrisburg; Chief of Police Dongnsker,
Sergeant Masters. John Brinton, Bar
gess Wigield and Patrolmen Trombino,
Pearson and Wynn. This testimony
had mainly to do with the alleged in
toxicated condition of Jones on the
= I'll, D.
testimony that Jones was drunk was
refuted by the policeman.
The complaints made by the Bur
CESS before Council OetOber ) were
again alleged misconduct on tine even
ings OF September 80 and 23, during
wedding celebration of West Side for
eigners. The testimony on these charges
was given by Councilman ReiSch,
Thomas duldoou. Ira Rider. Patrolman
Pearson, James Porter anu several for
eigners all of whom, with the exception
AZ Reisch and Rider, were at the we'd
ding celebration while the patrolman
Was there.
The Burgess charged Jones with
drinking on that evening and the teSti-
mony both sustained and opposed the
complaint,
All testimony last evening was taken
N short hand and the ease will be de-
>iled by Council.
Al who testified last evening were
sworn by Squire Gardner, who was
present by request Kasimr Pozega
interpreted the testimony given by the
Foreigners. Thomas ]. Nelley. chair
man of the police committee of Coun-
I'll, presided at the meeting, which last;
ed from $50 to 1920 p. m.
Considerable humor was injected by
Officer Pearson. who, with Officer Jones,
were ordered by Police Chief Long,
maker to attend the celebration incl
dent to the wedding of West Side for
eigners on the evenings of September
% and IS in order to preserve the
peace, at which celebration Jones was
accused of drinking beer
In speaking of the affair, Pearson
said that when ne arrived at the place
ne inquired if they had any chicken to
eat and was told to go down to the eel,
lar and help himself. When Pearson
reached the cellar ne claims to have
found more prepared chicken there
than he had ever seen and that ne eat
until he could swallow no more, but
that neither ne nor Officer Jones drank
anv beer