South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-23
BOARD FIRES TWO
PATROLMEN AND
THIRD RESIGNS
Arden NJ. Kline and Ray K.
Bowman Admit Guilt in
Charges or Leaving Posts
and Drinking on Duty.

Patrolmea Arden NJ. Kline and Ray
X Bowman yesterday afternoon were
dismissed from the service of the po-
lice department. following certain
sensational charges filed against them
by Patrolman Robert q. Lass. After
an executive session Of the board of
public safety. before whom the hear
ing OF the officers was held. Lass
himself rendered his resignation.
The alleged existence Of house OF
nl-fame in the Bowman residence at
737 Blaine aV. was charged by neigh
bors. who were called in during the
hearing Bowman and Kline en-
phaticary denied that the home OF
the former was used for immoral pur-
poses. Each pleaded guilty 20 the
technical charges OF leaving their
posts Of duty and drinking, however
The cases OF the patTOlmen came TO
the attention OF the board Of public
safety when Capt. Schock and Patrol
men O'Connell and Miller paid an un-
expected visit TO the home OF Bowman
at o'clock Saturday morning At
that time IL was claimed by the Off
GERS that Bowman. Kline and Lass
were present and that the party par
took of refreshments OF beer and
chop suey, in company Of certain
women members OF BOwman's house
hold.
Lass Was Investigating.
lass explained his presence at tho
home by saying that he was investi-
eating allegations he had heard con-
corning the Bowman home. When
asked by City Atty Seebirt why he
had not reported these allegations to
a superior officer. he said that he had
told Sergt. LaskowsIi of them.
Laskowski, however in his testi-
mony to the board stated that Lass
remarks had been entirely OF a per-
sonal nature-that they merely re-
fected upon the character of Mrs.
Bowman and were not in the form of
an official report
OF the night and morning in ques-
tiOn-Feb. 10 and 20-the following
series Of events were cleaned from
witnesses:
Lass met Kline at Lasalle av. and
Limerick ST to deliver the key to the
box on that beat Lass then went
into Meyers saloon on the opposite
corner. where he overheard officer
Bowman in conversation in the office.
Entering the Office Lass claims he
found Mr.. and Mrs. Bowman and an
other couple whose names he did not
learn. After a round of drinks, Kline
came in.
Return TO Home
With the exception. then of Kline
and Bowman, the party started for
Bowmans home in a taXicab driven
by George +. Morris Arrived there
Lass and Morris came back down
town TO StephensOn's garage where
they were later Joined by Kline and
Bowman. The entire party then re-
turned to Bowman's home. where
Mrs. Bowman and three other wom-
en- were waiting.
Florence Koontz, Is years old, who
claimed to the board that she was
an emplOye of the BOwmans, stated
that she and another woman there did
not join the party downstairs until
the arrival of Capt. Schock
Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur r. AchenbaCh,
1913 Blaine av., declared that taXis
drove up to the Bowman place at all
hours of the night.
Did you see them go away in the
morning." asked Seebirt.
Yes, upon one or two occasions"
was the reply.
Rudolph Price another neighbor. |
stated that the place was the object
OF much curiosity of children in the
neighbOrhOod.
Il have TWO little girls" said Price,
''and they ask all sorts Of questions
about the place. / feel with other
that is detrimental TO the characters
OF young children"
Complained of Noise.
Charles r.. Duck, TAO Blaine av.,
complained Of the noise caused by
taNicabs at all hours of the night. Of
the confusion caused by piano play |
ing and singing in the early hours OF |
the morning.
others who testified were George
Morris. the chauffeur; Capt Schock. |
Sergt. LaskOwsk. PatrOlman Lass
and Bowman himself. The latter |
swe epingly denied every allegation re- |
hecting upon the character and |
repute of his home and family claim |
ing that the whole was the result Of /
a neighboThOOd quarrel.
Whether or not the safety board !
demanded the resignation of Lass /
Pres't Augustine would not say. Aft /
er the dismissal OF the officers. the I
board again retired into executive ses-
sion. and the resignationa OF Lass {
followed.
will prosecution follow i'm this 4
case - Pres't Augustine was asked
NO. I don't think so" he answered.
I'VE have no direct evidence of speci-
nc acts of immortality"