Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-07-31
POLICE COMPLAIN
OF Big LAW FEES
See Deficit in Emergency
Fund Due to Charges by
Private Attorneys
$500 TO j. r. X. SCOTT

Policemen throughout the city are greatly
concerned over the announcement hat
threatened deficit in the police legal emer-
gency fund must be averted not only by
n voluntary contribution of twenty-five cents
per man, but that donations made to the
Police Pension Fund by citizens also VIII
be diverted to this use. The fund Is neces-
eary to defend policemen. since they IN
dlvidually, and not the city, are liable In
actions for false arrest, etc.
The policemen contend that the fund is
depleted because some policemen who were
made defendants In civil and criminal pro-
ceedings drew upon this emergency fund
to pay certain lawyers very large fees.
This discomfort was aroused by the is-
suance Of an annual report by Samuel
W. Roop, treasurer Of the Police Emer-
gency Fund. The report shows that the
total receipts, for the fiscal year ending
June 30 were s399S7S and the expendi-
tres up to that time amounted to s3965.4O.
According to a statement Issued by Super
intendent Robinson on July 10, several legal
claims were still unpaid.
When the policemen received their pay on
July Is they were requested W make a vol
untary contribution Of twenty-five cents
each. They were also officially Informed
that a like contribution will be looked for
in the early fall in order to restore the
emergency fund to n sound basis.
The policemen do not complain against
contributing to the fund, which they deem
a necessity and a protection. But they do
voice dissatisfaction against the large fees
paid to certain lawyers. member Of the
fund has the privilege Of choosing the at
torney to represent him. Criticism is di-
rected, however, against the payment of a
fee Of $500 for the defense of a policeman
who shot and killed a youth who is alleged
to have broken into store and fled when
the yatroman attempted to arrest him. The
fee was paid in three instalments, totaling
$500.
Now the policemen want an explanation
OF the excessive cost for the defense of
policeman who. they say, did only his duty.
They contend that Harry Felix, counsel for
the police department, could have looked
after this policeman's interests at smaller
cost than the fee paid to Congressman John
r. K Scott The report shows that ex-As-
sstant District Attorney william A. Gray
received $500 for representing the four po-
licemen of the Sixth District who were sem
fenced week ago to nine months In prison
for attacking sailor who was a prisoner
Mt that station.
The annual report displayed In police sta
tions is being carefully scanned by the pa
trolmen. Most of the fees paid to attorneys,
however, are considered within reason.
And the policemen point out that those
lawyers who have been paid only nominal
fees include prominent members OF the bar
An effort will be made to induce the
officers of the fund to see that excessive
fees are not paid, and also to do all in
their power to prevent the transfer of any
money from the police pension fund TO the
emergency fund. In the list is the name
Of F, NJ. McAdams, law partner of Director
of Public Safety Wilson.
Following is list of expenditures from
Marc, 81, 1916 to June 80, 1917, according
to the annual report sent to the captain Of
each division.