The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-05
Sergeant Darnell, Warren, Daily and Foley Are
 Relieved of Duty
"JOYRIDE" IS THE
 REASON ASSIGNED
Allege Four Motored to Camp on the Cahaba River Last September. Darnell Issues Statement
 Denying Guilt

something dropped Tn the police de- pertinent yesterday afternoon and after the smoke of battle had cleared away. Sergeant of Detectives Sydney H. Dar- nell, Detectives Enoch H. Warren and James R. Daily and Motor Scout Edward r. Foley had been informed of their in definite suspension by Chief of Police Martin Eagan, acting on instructions from Commissioner A. O. Lane
 The charge against the well known quartet is conduct unbecoming an of fioer,' and refers to an alleged Joy ride" with women, last September to Officer Daly's camp on the Cahaba river, six miles from 1rondale. The all legged dereliction of duty was brought to the attention of Chief Eagan by police Captain Robert H. Hawkins.
 It was known Thursday night that something was brewing, but the soft pedal' was exerted to the fullest ex- tent throughout yesterday and only when 1t became apparent that the news had leaked" and publicity could not be avoided that the suspensions were of ficially announced. Judge Lane said:
 Lanes Comment Brief
 'The affair was brought to my atten- ton by Chief Martin Eagan. Following private investigation in my office this afternoon l ordered the indefinite sus- pension from duty of Darnell, Warren, Daily and Foley.
 "The suspended officers were in- formed that they could demand a hear ing before the full board of commis- sioners and l understand that next Wednesday afternoon was selected as the date for the trial I have nothing further to say on the matter"
 After conference with Judge Lane yesterday afternoon Chief Eagan re- turned to his office and summoning Darnell Warren, Daly and Foley be- fore him he tersely announced:
 Charges of copduct unbecoming an officer have been brought against you men After a partial investigation Com missioner Lane has instructed me to re- lieve you from duty for an indefinite period. However, you may request trial at your discretion"
 Little surprise was evinced by the suspended officers as they had been cognizant of the preferred charges and had stated that they anticipated noth- ing else However, the four held a short conference and informed Chief Eagan taht it was their desire to have a hear ing before the full board of commis- sioners on Wednesday afternoon. Their request was immediately acceded to-
 Sergeant Darnell was very much net tied by the suspension and the "one- sidedness" of the affair as he termed if to a reporter, and wrote out a state ment of denial of all the allegations against him.
 In Darnelrs signed statement he ayers that his suspension is but anoth- CT step in the continuous warfare waged against him by group of political agi- tators. He deprecates the character of the witnesses against him in the pres ent charges and states his entire con fldence in the outcome. The statement follows:
 Darnell Issues Statement
 ''This suspension Is but another step In the continuous warfare which has been waged for several months against me and several other members of the detec- tive department by a bunch of political agitators, who seemingly will go to any extreme to accomplish their purpose-to get certain of us out of office and Tn" cidentally to reflect on Chief Eagans ad- ministration.
 This was clearly demonstrated a few months ago when I was suspended with a great blare of unpleasant notoriety) for an alleged offense against the public mor- als of this city, in making trip to Chat tanooga, of which Commissioner Lane, Chief Eagan and in fact, all citizens who read the papers were cognizant at the time. Nothing was said about 1t Tor 90 days, when suddenly l was called In and informed that I was suspended. I was refused any information as to who preferred the charge against me
 '"rhe other members of that party were not considered This time there are others arainst whom the shaft of malice is di- rected. Much could be said of the char acters (rather reputations) of some of the witnesses in the chain of charges which have been brought in the past few months. It suffices. however. to say that Commissioner Lane has been so positively convinced of the frivolity of some of these charges that he has, after hearing. ac- quilted the officers. There is no doubt in my mind but that these charges will continue as long as the present admin istration is in control of the police af- fairs of this city. A change is what they say they want and from indications they intend to keep hammering away until they get 1t, or until they run out of the class of material they are< using as witnesses.
 since my connection with the Birming- ham police department have at all times given the city the best in me. and my pa st record is one of which I am not ashamed. During the seven months have been sergeant of detectives the de- partment has made a record in the ap- prehension of real criminals which has never been equaled in It's entire history. It has been our endeavor to do the work for which we have been employed by the citizens of Birmingham, and records show that we have been successful in do- ing so in manner. I believe. satisfac- tory to the great majority of these cit izens.
 ITO the charges brought by this minor ity of agitators I deny any guilt. and am satisfied that they will be unable to show any wrong -doing.
 IS. Fl. DARNELL."
 Hawkins Notified Eagan
 Capt. Robert H. Hawkins, popularly known as Blue Steel stated last night that he had no desire to figure as the man who had brought the charges against his brother officers. He stated that his attention had been called to the affair and like all other derelictions of duty he notified Chief Eagan and the present charges followed.
 About . week ago I was informed of this joy ride to a camp on the Cahaba river by Darnell, Warren, Daly and Fo- ley. and some women and after con- sultation with my brother police captains in which was advised to inform Chief Eagan. I did 70. Chief Eagan then de-