Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-08-11
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COULD HEAR COPS
SHORES ACROSS CANAL
So Witnesses Swear in Telling of
jones' Alleged Drunkenness
at Hearing

Decision as to what action the Police
Committee will recommend that Steel
tons council take on Councilman Fred
Wagenbach's charges against Patrol
man Jones was reserved following last
evenings public hearing. The commit
tee will investigate further before
drawing up it's recommendation.
OHcer Jones appeared at last eve
ning's meeting with an attorney. A
number of his friends packed the rear
of the council chamber and gave the
session some of the appearances OF a
political rally. This impression was
strengthened by the presence OF so
many candidates. Councilman Benja-
min Capella, Committeeman Albert
Sellers and Squire T. V. Gardner, three
candidates for Justice of the Peace
were present and Joseph Gore, a can
didate for High Constable held down
chair in the rear of the room.
Hear Cops Shores Across Canal
The charges against Mr.. Jones con-
sisted of two affidavits presented to
council by Mr. Wagenbach at Mon
days meeting. These documents
were signed by Benjamin f. Lipp, a
special officer for the Pennsylvania
Steel Company and Steve Pop, watch
man at No. 8 Matchbox at the Steel
Works. and assert that on last Fri
day night, or rather early Saturday
morning, Patrolman Jones was seen
by them in a visibly intoxicated con-
dition. He staggered across the Mer-
chant Mill bridge, the affidavits say
stretched himself out on a porch and
slept. Lights from an automobile, the
deponents declare, showed him laying
with arms extended and coat open
His snores the documents say, could
be heard across the canal. a distance
of about 125 feet. Both Lipp and Pop
n
In response to questions from Chair
man Nelley and Attorney Wickersham
who represented Jones. Lipp declared
that he made the affidavits at the re-
quest of Mr.. Wagenbach who came to
him and asked what he knew about
the case.
Burgess Has no Hand In 1t
The name of Burgess Fred Wigfield
who at former time suspended Jones
and recommended his dismissal, was
then brought into the case by both
Chairman Nelley and Jones attorney
who sharply questioned Lipp as to
whether or not he made the affidavit
at the instigation of the burgess.
To all these questions Lipp replied
that he held absolutely no conversa-
ton with Wigfield and had not seen
him since the latest Jones incident.
He said he had attempted to get him
on the telephone the night he declared
Jones was drunk.
We'll, why did you try to report to
the burgess instead or your own
superior officer" sharply queried
| Chairman Nelley after whispering
with Mr.. Sellers.
Because we have been friends for
twenty years and because I thought
the burgess should see the condition
of his officer," soberly replied Lipp as
he looked the police committee chair
man straight in the eye.
"As a taxpayer and citizen" con-
tinued officer Lipp in reply to a query
by Councilman Reisch. Il thought It
my duty to inform Burgess Wigfield
of the conduct of his officers"
Try to Break Down Stories
The testimony of Lipp was sub
stantiated by Mr.. Pop, who is a cripple
and walks with cane. Both men held
steadfastly to their stories although
Jones attorney made repeated efforts
to break them down.
When Patrolman Jones was permit
ted to make his defense ne charged
that there was evidently frame up"
against him. He protested his entire
innocence of the charges and ex-
planned that his failure to report be-
tween / and o'clock that night was
due to severe cramps in the stomach.
This testimony of Mr. Lipp and
Steve Pop" declared the officer, is
absolutely wrong"
Besides his fiat denial of the charges
against him. Patrolman Jones offered
to prove his innocence by showing
he was sober at a quarter of eleven
Friday night. To do this MS attorney
called a number of witnesses who
testified that they were together at
the garage of z. G.. Irwin, a whole
sale liquor dealer at that hour.
Joseph Gore, 129 Adams street, a
former detective, swore he spoke to
Jones about l o'clock when the officer
went home for lunch. "He was sober
then" Gore declared. Patrolman
James Pearson also saw Jones on his
lunch hour, he said. He, too, declared
he was sober.
The witnesses at the Irwin garage
included e. G. Irwin, Charles L. Soul
lard. a painter, and Lawrence Cham
bers. the man who was in the recent
automobile accident at Dauphin, where
Harry Erbe lost his life.
Most of these witnesses swore Jones
came to the garage and asked for Mr..
Irwin and held long conversation
with him.