New Britain herald., 1917-07-06
MAY GO TO WAR IF
 THEY DESIRE FIGHT
Police Department to Deal Severely With ''Gangsters"

War, the adjustment of personal grievances against society, accounting for conduct and penalty for conduct barred by statutes and ordinances, has been declared by the police de- partment against local "gangsters' and rowdies, according to the state ment of Police Chief William J. Rawlings today. Improper conduct toward uniformed policemen, similar conduct toward pedestrians and oth- CTS will be referred to police court officials for action without leniency being shown. Numerous complaints to the authorities have indicated that formerly dormant 'gangsters have used the excitement of war and the draft provisions as gu1se under which nefarious conduct and rowdy- ism is reborn Such conduct, as has been reported, will not be tolerated, Chief Rawlings announced today. Patrolmen will be instructed to use every means to break up gang meet ings, rowdyism and annoyance of pedestrians. Arrests and court ap- pearance will be freely resorted to in an attempt to break up alleged con- ditlons.
 For number of weeks there has been no indications of the procedure of gang fights recorded in police court Declaration of war against Germany and the widespread inter- est relative to enlistm ents have seem ingly provoked an increase in acts of rowdyism. This, according to Chief Rawlings, is to be done away with. If the would-be fighters care to en- list and really serve their country, 1eniency will be shown. Otherwise they may well work on the agricul- tural plots at the Town Farm or the jail rock pile. No mercy is to be shown young rowdies or gangsters who "hector" policemen. This was made known by Chief Rawlings to- day. He plainly informed patrolmen they will be supported by him and the prosecuting attorneys office in proceedings brought along these lines. Men on street details were asked, only, to display good judgment in making arrests.
 Policeman Threatened.
 The statement of Chief Rawlings and the drastic course announced followed the arraignment of Adam Siber of Main street before Judge James T. Meskill in police court to- day, charged with intoxication and breach of the peace. Policeman Frank R. Hahn made the arrest early today on Church street, testifying that the accused was fresh" had an argu- ment in a restaurant and made threats of what Che and the gang" would do. He said the accused in- vited him into an alleyway near Whites stables to settle the differ ence of opinion relative to proper street conduct. The arrest followed
 Attorney P. F. McDonough, repre- senting the accused, said his client was but an example of young men under the influence of liquor riding" a policeman, that no improper pro- cedure was intended and the idea was possessed by his client that his being taken into custody was no more than "kidding." Prosecuting Attor- ney George w. Klett offered a con- tinuance until tomorrow in order to have Sergeant w. c. Hart and Po- liceman Thomas Heslin as witnesses Attorney McDonough entered a mo- tion that the trial proceed, according to the charges and testimony, admit ting the possibility his client was un- der the influence of liquor. Tn pass ing judgment, Judge Meskill eX4 pressed the belief the accused was 1 intoxicated and this fact, in a way, decreased the breach of the peace l charge. A fine of $5 and costs with l probation was imposed. Policeman 1 Hahn was afterward complim ented for his efforts to rid the Railroad Ar cade of the rowdies complained of 1 irI E+1y | and assured of receiving any aid. Took Wrong Wagon.
 Charges against Joseph Bengiman of 139 Washington street, of taking a i team without permission Tuesday night were nolled upon the recom- ] mendation of Prosecuting Attorney i Klett, it being stated he took a vehicle from tND stables of a Main street l bottler by mistake. It was testified | he was directed to deliver a consign- ment of July Fourth refreshments to a customer in Berlin, went to the stable and took a vehicle by mistake and completed his errand It was tes- tified two persons house delivery vehicles in the same building and a
 mistake was likely.
 Charged with assault upon Mrs
 Mary Zember of 136 1-2 Winter street
 Julius Jackenwertz of 80 Clark street was held for hearing tomorrow, At torney A. A. Greenberg making the | plea for a continuance. The arres
 was made by Policeman Charles Me | Carthy.
 Despite a plea for leniency by At
 torney Elias T. Ringrose, John O'Brier | of 463 Myrtle street was fined $15 anG i costs with no probation allowed fol 1 intoxication and breach of the peace
 It was testified he had been on proba
 ton four times already. He was ar
 rested at Lafayette and Beaver street:
 early today by Supernumerary Police | man T. A. McAvay.
 Bpcause he arrived in the city tO(