The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-03-10
COMMISSIONERS IN
 SHARP TILT OVER HEARING OF SHEEHY
Police Board Holds Secret Ses-
 sion to Consider Pun z4 iShment.

Preceded by a meeting of the po lice board at which there were un- deriving differences, and followed by a secret session of the board from which emanated distinct sounds of keen afgtl raaent by two or more mem bers, Patrick kJs Sheehy, a policeman, living at 264 Coleman street was fined $50 and given a reprinaand when he pleaded guilty to two charges prefer red against him.
 That the actual charges against Sheehv are not intended for pub1i- cation was substantially the statement Of President George S. Hill when ask ed to make public the name Of the original claimants against the po- Icenlan and the specific nature of the two complaints
 When arraigned before the board Policeman Sheehy was accused mere 1y of violation of rule 67 of the police regulations A second count read: That he neglected to pay just debts. To both he answered fGu1lty and the 3board immediately went into execu- tive session. A few minutes later BSheehy was summoned into the room by the commissioners and given a star chamber hearing at which it was later said that he was fined $50 and severely reprimanded upon both charges.
 Reporters who asked the coZnmis- SlOnerS as to the Sp0c1uC C1ldI SOS WSA = first referred to President Hill, and la ter told by him that Sheehy had v1o- lated rules of the department Rule
 67. prohibits Policemen leaving the city without permission from the SUI perintendent or other deslgnaseo or ficers or ssabsenting himself from outy without written permission of the superintendent or officer in charge, except when compelled to do so by
 circumstances, in which case he shall notify the superintendent or officer in
 charge, at the earliest possible mo
 ment.ss f' kEA f 85E6
 Though the commissioners would not discuss the matters, with report CTS it has been learned that Sheehy was absent from duty without precur- ing the written permission required but it is also alleged that he was later in the hands of Department Surgeon F. J. Adams which would make 1t ap= | pear that he was compelleds to leave
 his post under stress of illness.
 While Commissioner Hill last night would not .divulgei any of the facts concerning the charges Of failure to
 pay just debts on the part of .Sheehy, except to say that there were sew heral bills unpaid by him well de fined Funaor about the department lyesterday was to the effect that Shee-
 ny owed about 4 upon uniform which he had purchased and did not consider satisfactory. The attitude of the commissioners in keeping the
 facts secret led to the general belief lyesterday that Sheehy,s though wish 1 ing to yvindieate himself was advised ,! by those who were familiar with the trial of Policeman Anderson to Ethrow himself upon the mercy of the board rather than face the possibil- ity of being dropped entirely
 That there was friction of more haf 11- bers of the board was evident from the acrimonious nature of remarks
 that came through heavy oak doors
 securely closed against intrusion upon the executive session of the board
 held after Sheehy. had been permitted to retire.
 In the open meeting, Commissions Lou F. Bristol introduced motion that the police board take some ac- ton looking towards having a clean Ter building. Characterizing the pres
 erta iI1-kept condition of the windows
 railways, etc, as rotten and sug | gesting that the place at least bt made to look respectable" he wa: lat once stopped by ConnisS1oner Hil 1 who said: We will take that up la
 ter.S
 ] Thollgh Commissioner Bristol wish. i ed to press his complaint to the poin where action of the board would bs taken that might be transmitted tc 1.-the committee in charge of the DO l1iee and charities building composed Iof the mayor, president of the boart I9of police and president of the board ] Iof charities commissioners Bristo Twas informed that the police boar6 I5col1Id take no action on the matter and he reluctantly dropped the mat ter ternporari1y. It is believed tha' it was this that later caused the dis Iscussion in private ssa1 l Other matters taken up were ths bills to be presented and equipmen i to be purchased during this nontE I Igy3ir.I, is the last before the new ap Inropriations become effective. It i ! estimated that of the $31,2O now or l hand but about s18,0O0 will be spen I this month with approximately $14, 1 900 to revert to the city treasury. 1 Fire in the Masonic buiiding a