Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-12-29
SUSPENDED
Commissioner Returns to Ok
lahoma City to Pay Some
Monthly Bills.
"EVIDENCE" NEEDS WEIGHING
Witnesses With Criminal Pee
ords Heard at Fridays
Session.

Investigation of Tulsa's police de
rartment has temporarily discontin-
ued until January 2. w. u. Mat
thews. commissioner of charities and
corrections, departs this morning for
his office in oklahoma city. He said
last night that he should have left
earlier but was getting too old to
stand the night ride to the capital.
Electric light and telephone bills
must be paid and the payroll of of
flee help signed by the first of the
gear. These important matters must
come before the investigation of
charges that Tulsa policemen are
quick with their guns and handy with
their billies, the commissioner de-
clared.
A slight concession was made in
favor of Tulsa by Mr.. Matthews be-
fore he retired last night at the Brady
hotel.
You're no worse than other towns" ="
he said. I'VE have the same trouble
in other parts of the state
Webb Roe negro, was examined
and testified to alleged mistreatment
at the hands of the police.
Known As bad Niger"
Roe was described at the police
station as a bad niger" He was
arrested on the night of his alleged
mistreatment after "a chase in which
he fired a shot at the officers, accord
ing to Chief Lucas. He was caught
at his house and a revolver with one
empty shell was found under a pill
low, the police say. Three officers
had difficulty In bringing him to the
police station, the chief said, and his
u1ruly conduct continued there.
The negro testified that he was re-
fused bail by Shue. Shue admitted
that bail had been refused the negro
and explained that he was booked"
for investigation ana was turned over
to county officers the following day
and charges of assault with intent to
Kill filed against him. These cha
are still pending.
Porter Admits Striking First
w. ID. Porter. whose father John n.
Porter, yesterday charged the police
with mistreatment of his son, testi-
fled that he struck the officer before
being strucl, himself
Porter came To the station this
morning and admitted that he was at
fault and said that he held no grudge
against the police department" Chief
Lucas said.
81 was drunk and got what I de-
served" Porter said, according to the
chef.
Mr.. Matthews said that he did not
know how many days the investiga-
ton would continue.
Witnesses will be called until
am satisfied that the investigation has
proceeded far enough he said. "You
see I am Just like a Judge. have to
weigh the facts carefully and then
make my decision"
Are you weighing the character
of the witnesses you have called with
respect to their criminal records Mr.
Matthews was asked
Certainly" he said.
DO YOU know that Webb Zoe. who
testified today. was the manager OF
the pool hall on North Cincinnati a,-
enue that was closed for violation OF
the prohibitory laws"
81 don't care anything about that"
Matthews said.
do YOU know that Roe fired at tho
Officers"
81 don't care whether he did OF
not" Matthews stated. 81 am not try.
ing the witnesses for their guilt OF
innocence
The suggestion was made that these
facts were necessary before the weight
OF the testimony could he judged aud
the commissioner was ask ed whether
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