New Britain herald., 1915-08-10

nocturnal walk he must have forgotten to go back to ring up.
 Brother Officer Tesifies. : Officer James McCabe old the same story as Officer Moff1tt, describing how the latter was at the box at 2:3O o'clock and went to investigate the noise made by Smith and did not re- turn, but proceeded along his beat.
 Tells of Bar-Room BrawI.
 On July 16, Chief Rawlings testi- fled. Officer Moffitt reported at a. m. in a partly intoxicated condition and admitted that he had been drunk in Skritulsky's saloon on the previous night when he got into a fight with James Chute over who was the best man. Three hours later Officer Moi fit returned to the station house more intoxicated than before. Later he was arrested for assault.
 Victim Tells of Assault.
 Chute told of going into Skritulsky's saloon and meeting George Moffitt there and exchanging a few pleas antries, in which Skritulsky joined A few minutes later Officer Moffitt said to Chute, You're no good"
 'Tm as good as you are,' he re- piled, whereupon Moffitt hit him, he said. The fight followed.
 Arthur Quigley told of the barroom Erawl. 'He said Moffitts collar and tie were torn off and Chute's shirt was pulled off While trying to separate the two Chute pushed him aside and said he could take care of himself.
 Recalled to the stand Chute denied saying anything offensive to Officer M offitt.
 Mof1itt Claims Insult.
 Officer Moffitt told his story. He said he heard remark passed by Chute about big stiff being suspend cd' and meeting Chute in the lavatory, where a short mix-up occurred. The accused declared he was in the lava tory first and Chute came in later and spoke to him first in slurring man. Ter.
 Were you drunk > asked Commis- sioner Holmes.
 ''Yes, I guess I was. had quite few in,'' Moff1tt replied. He said he did not think the fight would have occurred if he had not been drunk. Officer Moffitt said he felt blue and sick and started to drink on the Mon day after his suspension. Up to this time the accused had been "On the Wagon.' for five years, he sald.
 His Previous Record Good.
 Ia question from Commissioner Holmes, Chief Rawlings said. Officer Moffitt's previous record had been sood and there had been no evidence Of his drinking. The chief said since the affair he has met the officer several times and he has always been gentle manly. II want to give credit where credit is due" the chief said. Cap tain Grace was questioned and also said Moffitt was a reliable officer and very punctual ''In my opinion he has the makings of a very good officer,' said the captain. His worst fault is, he said, "as he admits, when he gets d taste of drink he wants a Tot of it. The hearing closed ana all the wit resses except the chief and Moftitt ] were excused.
 The board voted to accept Officer 1 Moffitt's plea of guilty on all counts.
 Holmes Wants Continuance.
 After Officer Moffitt had been ex- cdsed Chairman filling suggested a 1 ballot on the case but Commissioner l Holmes preferred to discuss the mat ter at length. He said he wanted to l have time to consider the matter further MT. Holmes objected on the | grounds that it might be alleged un- ! due influence had been brought to l bear, whatever way they finally voted. 1 MT. Holmes then agreed to the taking of vote
 ~,. filling Suggests One Year.
 Chairman filling recommended that the officer be given the benefit of the reasonable doubt which he felt exists. l "Because the officer has stopped over i once is no very good reason why he should be dismissed. My feeling is that he should be suspended not less than a year, said Chairman Aling. MT. Holmes said he would rather dis miss the officer than suspend him for a year. MT. Healev also thought Officer Moffitt should De put to the test at once.
 Healey Wants Heavy Fine.
 MT. Healey moved that Officer Moff1tt be fined four months pay from the date of his suspension and be put right to work. To get it before the board, MT. Holmes seconded the motion. On a vote Mr. Healey voted "Yes," MT. Holmes 'no." The motion is lost" the chairman said.
 Holmes Favors Dismissal.
 II move the man be discharged for the good of the department said MT. Holmes. To get it before the board Mr. Healey seconded it. It met the same fate as the previous motion. Mr. filling and MT. Healey voting mo- MT. filling wanted six months suspension but MT. Healey would not agree as he thought the officer ought to be put to the test at once.
 Another Suggestion Fails
 On attempted compromise MT. c ' pay from the present date. It was not secop1ed