Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1919-07-15
TWO POLICE: MEN
PLEAD GUILTY
At TRIAL HERE
Action on Punishment Will Be
Taken Ey Aldermen on
Monday Night
NO DECISION is REACHED
Order of Chief Burke Suspend
ing koscieIniak and Under
hill Still Stands
MANY AT THE HEARING
Eoth Accused PatroImen Give
Testimony and Say Guilty to
the Charges
MANY AT THE HEARING

No decision as to the recommends
tions to be made in the disposition of
the cases of Patrolmen Stanley Kosci-
elniak and Lester Underhill was
reached by the Police Committee of
the Board of Aldermen last night fol-
lowing the trial at which both officers
pleaded guilty to the charges against
them. The order of Chief of Police
Patrick Burke suspending the men
will continue in effect until action has
been taken by the Board of Aldermen
at it's meeting next Monday night.
The hearing at the City Hail was
attended by a crowd that nearly filled
the aldermanic chambers but any who
sought sensational turns during the
examinations were disappointed. AL
derman William r. Wilson, chairman
of the police committee presided.
With him sat City Attorney Leo Gold
berger who read the charges to the
men and Aldermen Waters and Riedy.
Mayor Frank Dorsey occupied a
prom sent position at the table and
quest I'd both of the men. Chief
of Police Burke testified that both
men had had good regulations while
on the police force.
Patrolman Koscielniak was charged
with having slept while on duty on
the night of June 21. Patrolman I'm
derhill was charged with having taken
the small police car out on the after
noon of July without permission. In
addition to the charges against Kos
cielniak, Roundsman William Calvin
presented written statement and af-
ddavit alleging that when awakened
KDecfe1nialc cursed the officer and said
that he didn't care anything about the
police department The patroIman
Tod vii n faefifU fh 4
they had not heard him swear when
he was awakened. They said that
they had heard the police whistle and
gone to the Union garage, where Kos
cielniak admitted that he had gone to
sleep in one of the autos.
Patrolman Koscielniak was recall
ed by Alderman Waters after he had
been examined and affirmed his pre-
vious denial that he had not sworn at
the roundsman and that he had not
made deprecatory remarks about the
department.
''You have the chance right now to
tell the truth about this swearing"
Alderman Waters said.
mo, sir, I didn't curse Roundsman
Calvin or say anything against the
department" Koscielniak replied.
The hearing of testimony in Patrol
man Underhill's case was brief. City
Attorney Goldberger read the
charges. what have you to say to
the charger" he was asked.
I'm guilty"
Have you anything else to say?"
asked Alderman Wilson.
mo"
.'Did you ever take the car out
without permission before?'
mo, SIR"
'Well, what was your idea in taking
the car out 2"
,4oI To to1y a
South Amboy After 1 got the car
out 1 found she had gone so I took
the car over to see If she was there.
When I was coming back along the
Pennsylvania private right of way
two cars were coming down the road
and / saw they weren't going to give
me any room, so 1 kept over to the
right When they got up to me the
car went over into the ditch"
''Had you been drinking that day?"
mo, sir"
ibid you ever see any others taking
the car out without permission at any
time that would lead you to think
that you could take the car out 2"
asked Mayor Dorsey.
IT couldn't say Mayor"
well, answer yes or no."
mo, SIR"
weren't you in a saloon on Smith
street between the hours o'clock and
8 o'clock that day?" the mayor asked.
mo, sir, wasn't in any saloon that
day"
cident?" asked Alderman Waters.
..When I found the car was dam
aged 1 sent in to Deegan and Holmes
garage to have it fixed. That was
about quarter to five o'clock. When
/ came back to the station house at
o'clock they knew all about 1t. Then
I called the chief up"
Chief Burke was then called to
the stand and said that Underhill had
a pretty fair record. having been in
trouble only once before.
.eHaye YOU ever heard anyone had
taken the car out without permission
2" asked Alderman Wilson.
Didn't the car get broken up some
time ago by someone who had no pusi-
ness with it?"
mo. Not that heard Of"
.sWhat was the first you heard OF
the accident?" asked Alderman wat
''Why. about 4:45 I heard that Un.-
derhill had the small car out and
that it was stuck in the d1tcn over
near the Hole in the Well.
did he show any signs OF drink
fng?" asked Alderman Wilson again:
mot that could tell. He seemed
all right when was talking to MIN
over the phone about 9 o'clock.
"Oh, You couldn't smell his breath
over the telephone?" said Alderman
Wilson.
mo, SIR
The chiefs testimony finished the
hearing. after which the committee
and city attorney held a private ses-
sion for about half an hour. 1t was
said that no decision had been reach
ed. 1t would be possible for each
separate recommendation to the
Board of, Aldermen in case there was
no agreement before Monday, It was
said.