The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-02-08
Intrepid Ambulance. Driver Is
Suspended for Remainder of
February For Talking Sharp
" to President of Fire Board.

automobile ambulance since the city's
emergency hospital has owned such a
vehicle is today under suspension by
vote of the board of charities.
Burlison must lose $96, as penal
ty for having talked up to John A.
Leonard, president of the fire borad,
at a fire in Broad street last week. He
threatened to punch Leonard's jaw.
At that time he didn't know Leonard,
and yesterday afternoon, when he tes-
tilted, he told his commissioners that
Leonard was a pretty fresh guy
Burlison is suspended for the re-
mainder of February. In his alb
ment employe, is driving the automo-
bile ambulance by day, and a hired
chauffeur is driving by night.
After the witnesses had told their
stories, the board took a recess of II
minutes and returned a verdict of
guilty Burlison was then suspend
ed from duty as driver of the enner-
gency hospital automobile ambulance
for the rest of the present month.
<BurIison was given a hearing which
was held at an open meeting. There
were only about six persons present
with the exception of the interested
parties.
y The meeting was called to order
by President F. William Behrens at
.
missioner Henry Harris was unable
to attend the meeting owing to ILL
ness. DR.. T. L. Ellis and Mrs. M H.
Ford the other commissi oners, were
seated at the long table in the city
court chamber where the hearing was
held.
It was exactly two minutes after
o'clock when President Benrens said:
commissioners, this meeting will
coroa 10 order The first order of
business will be the hearing of the
charges placed against driver Aubrey
driver of the automobile
emergency hospital ambulance, by
one John A. Leonard. viii the clerk
please read the charges?"
Clerk Thomas F. Cox read the
charges as filed by President John A.
Leonard of the fire board. The
charges claimed that Bur1ison was
guilty of conduct unbecoming an en-
ploye Of the city, in having insulted
the president of the fire board at a
recent fire in Broad street. They
alleged that Burlison was insolent and
not fitted to hold position In the
employ of the city
''Mr. Burlison, you have heard the
charges read, are you guilty or not
guilty?'' said President Behrens.
Slowly and half hesitatingly Driver
Burlison arose and answered: Guilty
in part, but not guilty to all the
charges therein"
why not guilty to all the charges?"
asked Behreps. He then added;
please state the occurrence as it hap
pened on that evening"
Slowly and thoughtfu11y BurHson
recounted his meeting with President
Leonard. He said:
I'VE received a call that evening
between Z and 1880 o'clock. I was
y
Broad street, near John street. On
arriving there I pulled up as close to
the curb as could. said to DR..
John F. Caravan, the .Lenox Lunch
is over there I stopped the machine
and sat behind the wheel. Some fell
low said. It's over on John street; go
and get him.
Leonard left the curb and said: is
there a call for the ambulance?'
Yes said, we wouldn't, be here
unless there was. We don't go on
foolish calls
Gentlemen continued Burlison,
''he was a pretty fresh guy" (referripg
to President Leonard.) President
Leonard Redeemed as he listened to
Burlison relating the incident.
s"Twice I asked him, Who are you?'
He replied with, None of your d-n
business I replied with, a good
punch in the jaw would do you good
That's all I said. DR.. Caravan was
in the crowd at the time
This concluded .Burlison's testi-
mony.
President. John A. Leonard of the
fire board, was then called to the
stand. He said: I
Gentlemen, seeing the ambulance.
I went up. and asked the driver if
anyone was injured. You know,
gentlemen, the ambulance is often
called out on foolish calls and as they
were within the fire lines and I
thought it possible that some of my
men might have been injured, I wish
ed to know the circumstances con-
corning the calling of the ambu-
lance
President Leonard then drifted a
little from the testimony by saying
that Bur1ison was very insolent and
without any due cause
90 DO kou think we are out on a joy
rider said the driver to me- contin-
ued President Leonard. 81 answered,
you might give citizen a civil an
swer.'
Here, Mr.. Leonard created no little
excitement when he exclaimed:
Comm sioners. this man Burlison
has perjured himself, when he says
he asked me who I was. He did no
such thing, but was very insulting and
to punch my jaw. In my
opinion, gentlemen, it does not make
any difference whether I am a city Of
fetal or not, an employe of the city
should at all times be respectful and
civil to any citizen. They are the
ones that are paying him for the work
he does. That is all I have to
say"
Joseph G. Wright, of 5S6 Wood ave-
nue., a salesman, was then called to
the stand to give teStim ony. He
said:
president Leonard and I stood in |
front of G.. B. Clark & Co.'S furniture |
store on Broad street. We were
there only minute or two when the
arrived. President Leon !
ard and I ran across the street and
Mr. Leonard said: ffWe'n see if any
of the firemen are hurt. If they are
shall order their removal to either
the Bridgeport o st. Vincent's hos
nital and not the ernergenev hos |