Evening journal., 1915-04-21
PRESENT CHARGE
AGAINST OFFICER
Witnesses Say Washington
Flashed Revolver in Mr..
ProuSe's Presence
COMMISSION
DEFERS JUDGMENT

Charges of conduct unbecoming an
officer were heard by the Police Com
missioners at their meeting yester-
day afternoon against Patrolman
Robert Washington. colored. The
charges grew out of the arrest of
Stanley d. Prouse by the officer on
a charge of violating the traffic laws
and resisting arrest which charges
were. dismissed by Judge Churchman
in City Court. officer Washington
denied the charges and after hear
ing considerable testimony the COM
missioners reserved decision in the
case for one week.
Mr.. Prouse was accompanied to
the hearing by Philip l.. Garrett. his
attorney and an affidavit sworn to by
Mr.. Prouse was read. The affidavit
set forth that Washington walked in
front of Mr.. PrOuse's automobile as
it was entering the Mecca garage.
Tenth and Tatnall streets early Tues
day morning, April 10. and demand
ed to know, why he. Mr.. Prouse had
not blown his horn. When Mr.
Prouse asked "who are you;" the
officer displayed his badge and pull
ed his revolver. Latter according to
the affidavit the officer attempted TO
use his blackjack on Mr.. Prouse and
Clarence BeadenkOpf who came along
at that time demonstrated, whereupon
he also was threatened by the Off
Ger. During the trouble Mr.. Prouse
said he was struck several times by
| Washington.
Mr.. Beadenkopf testified that while
driving out Tenth street with DR.. A. f.
Erantz on April l3, they met DIR. Prouse
and Washington in Mr.. Prouse's auto
mobile, and hearing loud talking they
stopped. When they asked what was
the matter, officer Washington, Mr.
Beadenkopf said ordered him to "lleer
out of it." catching hold Of his coat and
raising his blackjack az if to strike him
This evidence was corroborated by Dr
Frantz.
James Davis, coIored, who arrived Just
as the trouble between the men started
said he saw the gun in Officer Washing
toms hand, and it was pointed at Mr.
Prouse, who was sitting in his machine.
Pstrolman John Ward related how h,
met Washington at Tenth and Tatnal
streets some time after Air Prouse hac
been arrested. The eolored officer in
quired Of Officer Ward if he had seer
two colored girls, saying he wanted tc
take one of them to Second and Union
streets. Officer Washington also SPOKE
TO officer Ward of the arrest Of Mr.
Prouse.
In his own behalf Washington said
the front of the Prouse automobile
struck him on the leg. He said Mr.
Prouse choked him until he could not
shout and that he used bad language
IL addressing him. He beat him OF
the hand with his revolver 10 make
him let go of his throat. He denied
that he drew his revolver, and he de-
MED that he then knew who the two
women we're who were on the scene
Elizabeth Wilson, Elwood Dutton
Leroy Court, Patrick and Aloysius
Harris, all negroes. testified practical
~ the same as Washington did in his
! explanation of the trouble and the
incident that followed
Washington told the commissioners
that officer Wards statements rela-
tive to the two women and his queries
about them was not correct. He said
that ever since he has been on the
police force he has not been treated
the way he should have been treated
He said he has never had any guild
ance, and all that he has done OF
learned he has worked out for him.
self The board stopped this line OF
testimony as il had no bearing on
the case.
Patrolman Michael +. Donlon was
, also charged with conduct unbecom
ing an officer, leaving post without
lcause and other offenses. The pro
j scouting witness was Mrs Ann;
Gettman, of No. 200 ButtOnwooC
. street. After hearing the evidence
. the Board reserved decision in The
! case for a week.
Patrolman Eiwood Biscoe anC
, John Sheehy were charged with be
ing late in making reports. Ofiicei
Biscoe was fined FIVE days pay while
the charge against Officer Sheeh,
was dismissed.
Bills presented by the Delaware
hospital for S135 for the care of Pa
/ trOlman Horace Mcdaniel and tina
from the Homeopathic Hospital fol
$4 for caring for Patrolman james
+. Scott we're considered. The BOars
decided to lay them over for a week
= Another matter laid over for a weel
t was the awarding of the contract TO
Z supplying 80 tons of coal to the policl
# department. The commissioners de
, cided after opening the bids TO secur
t the comparative cost of coal furnish