Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1915-02-19
HEARS CHARGES
MADE AGAINST
3 PAIROLMEN
Alderman Kutcher and Chief
Burke Have a Preliminary
Hearing Into Police Scandal
TO Wait for Garretson.

preliminary private hearing
was given the three patrolmen under
charges by the police committee of
the Board of Aldermen yesterday af-
ternoon In the office of Chief of Po-
| lice Burke at headquarters. Alder
man John j. Kutcher, chairman of
the committee, stated after the ex-
| animation that no date had been
fixed for public hearing on the
charges, and that this would likely
be deferred until the return of May
or Ferd Garretson, ex-officio head
of the police department.
He said that further action of the
committee would also depend on the
course Alex. Macskos, now In the
city hospital, will pursue against the
patrolmen when he RECEIVERS, which
will probably be ten days.
Mr.. Kutcher said that there was
not enough evidence presented justi-
Tying the suspending of any of the
three officers The committee had
each of the three officers, Patrolmen
Rymarczk, Martin and Muska, make
statements concerning their actions
In the arrest Of Macskos and Paul
Shafer, two Railway men, Sunday
night, when the former Is alleged to
nave been struck on the head and
shot through the right arm. Their
statements were stenographIeally re-
corded as was the statement of Desk
Sergeant McDermott, who was on
duty at the time the arrest was
made.
Testimony VIII he Filed.
This testimony will be type writ
ten and filed for the enlightenment
of the mayor on his return and for
use in case that future hearing is
had. Except for the fact that the of
ficers disobeyed the rules of the de- |
partment in not reporting the shoot |
ing there appears to be no incrimi- |
mating evidence against the patrol |
men except the statement made by |
the man at the hospital, just before |
he was taken to the city hospital |
Monday afternoon. When he leaves
the hospital Chief burke will probe |
hAs story TO learn II the patroirn4n
are lo binnae and the ultimate dis
aIoT - - 'sssss4{1 III ef.fr q
fpcsrfr5n 81 the afra1 ~kd a
great deal ON what the injured man
and his companions are able to prove.
At the matter stands now with the
evidence so far In hand, including the
statement of the patrolmen, Chief OF
Police Burke is inclined to think that
the officers most serious offense was
not reporting the shooting, and IL
such had been done and the matter
had not been covered up" the accu-
sations would not have been made.
The only technical charges presented
before the board by Chief Burke yes
terday, it is understood, was that
the patrolmen violated the rules by
not making true report of the af-
fair, as until the injured man recov-
ers at the hospital, the more serious
charges cannot be proven. The man
then would have redress If he 80 de-
sired by bringing both criminal and
civil actions.
The three partrolmen claim that
they only did their duty In the affair,
though they admit a mistake was
made In not reporting the shooting
part. Patrolman Rymarczk denies
firing, but two shots, and says that
he did not know that Patrolmen Mar
tin and Muska were after the fleeing
man. He says he heard shots fred in
the vicinity of State and Wayne
streets, and on investigation saw
Macskos running away; he did not
know what crime he may have com
mitted and so gave chase, firing two
shots In the air. He says that he
did not know that Martin and Muska
were around in civilians clothes un-
til after he arrested the man
Patrolman Martin, In presenting
the officers side of the affair to a
NEWS man yesterday afternoon, said
that from Hall avenue northward Is a
section In which many patrolmen
have been beaten and assaulted.
In this section former Officer
Israel Weitzen had an eye knocked
out some three years ago, he said
Officer Kozusko was knocked down
by blow from a hammer; Patrol
man Chris Jensen was shot through
the mouth; Patrolman Kasprczk had
his uniform torn in pieces, and for
mer Patrolman Frank Schultz at
tackled.
Patrolman Martin said that It was
up to the patrolman to get in the
first blow, or he would not be able |
to get in the second when dealing
with drink-crazed men In this rough |
section. He said that he and Muska |
were taking a walk up State street |
when they saw the man now at the |
CONTINUED on page ~