Evening journal., 1918-06-18
Details HIS Clash
With Chief BLACK
lContInued From First page.l

NAOubluutQ IIotu tllSk rage
Of Lester NJ. Wingate and William H.
Morris. witnesses OF the occurrences.
Chief Of Police Black today said he
had not received a copy Of Mr.. Zebley's
statement, and had no comment 10
mako about It. Chief Black said he
would make known his side OF the
occurrence at the proper time, II neces-
sary.
Just what the Police Commissioners
VIII do Is not known, but the state
ment probably will be considered by
them this afternoon. M. Zebley says
he has forwarded copies OF his state
ment TO General Crowder, Judge Her.
bert L. Rice and Chief Black. Ills
statement is as follows
The following incident took place
on Saturday, May 2j. 1918. at about
1920 a. m. while proceeding 10 the
Pennsylvania railroad station in charge
OF drafted men whom we were TO en-
train for Camp Dix, n. j.:
AAAANAhc o. AANnN NNANNN-f
where there was a crowd Of people III
ing the entire width OF French street.
and which crowd the police apparently
made no effort TO keep back 10 allow
us a passage-way, and being compelled
to pass through this crowd the men,
bers Of Local Exemption Board Nd. 4
(Of which ! am a member), together
with the drafted men, began to work
their way through in single file.
Among the drafted men were two
men who were what / would term
happy drunk but who were not dlsor-
1erly In any way and who were simply
bidding persons goodbye as they pass
ed them. These men had been enroll
ed In the United states service on the
afternoon before and were in charge
)f the exemption board.
Arriving abreast OF the French street
TO the station and while with
In six or eight feet Of US, I saw George
Black, Chief OF Police Of Wilmington.
seize these two drafted men by their
shake them very roughly and
then let go Of the man in his right
hand and, while still holding the other
with his left hand, deliberately strike
lim with clenohed flst a crushing blow
In the mouth. This resulted In this mani
eaving Wilmington crying and bleed
ng TO enter upon his duties as a sol /
iier Of his country.
| hurried up 10 Chief Black, told him |
was a member Of the local Board Of
and entered a verbal pro-
est against the assault. calling his
attention to the fact that this man was
N charge OF the Exemption Board and
demanded that he stop assaultlng the |
iraftee and release him in order that /
le could proceed 10 entrain.
In the meantime. Patrolmen Pierce 1
md Hinson had seized me by The col /
ar and, upon Chief Blacks order to |
axe him away" proceeded 70 assault /
ne, throwing me against an iron pole, ]
'ver a motorcycle and into the street, +,
md giving me a general beating up. /
fter which they released me and /
proceeded with my duties as board |
member. This assault on me resulted |
n torn clothing, bruises on my body. /
nd a severely bruised and sprained |
ide, which has been very painful and |
las rendered me unit for my usual .
work ever since.
Il wish to call particular attention 10
he following facts: That the drafted
nen had their badges on. that they
we're in charge Of the Exemption Board,
nd that they were not creating any
isorder; also that / had my badge on,
hat was in the performance Of duties
: a civilian member Of the War De-
and that the injuries inflicted
N me are both painful and incapaci-
ating, and that the entire affair was
Witnessed by large crowd OF people
many Of whom have since made them
elves known 10 me and severely con
emned Chief Black for his actions.
A.RNNK r.. ZEBLEl."