Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-28


h1te charges with definite informa-
won. lie admitted that there must
ipe few bad spots in the force.
as every bunch of seventy-five men
contains few black sheep, but said
that on the whole the force is good.
lie denied Magnelli's charges that
tnere is hidden motive behind last
nights flare-up
Discredits Magnclli
There is nothing political back
of my action" he said "As far as
my Knowing about misconduct on
the part of officers or officials, and
not taking action, anyone who says
such is the case, lies. This is abso-
lutely the first case of graft that
has been brought to my attention.
Magnelli makes broad charges which
he knows he can't prove"
| The Mayor said he would prepare
the case of the dismissal of the two
men and present it to Council next
Tuesday. The case of Patrolman
Victor Fl. Bill, 1909 Regime street,
VIII be taken under consideration,
and he will be punished for mis-
conduct, All the men were sus-
! pended last night. 'r..''
Mayor Wants No Probe
There will be no sweeping inves-
tigation of the police force to prove
or disprove' Magnelli's charges.
The force looks all right to me-"
he said, Il will investigate indivi-
dual charges, but ! don't think an
/ investigation or 'shake-up' is nee
essary."
Charge Year Old
According to Mr.. Meyers state
ment and the explanation made at
headquarters, about a year ago, Of
! ficer Schmehl found a horse wan
dering on the streets near Twenty
! first and Derry. He met officer
Magnelli when he reported from Box
| II at that corner and told him of
the find. Together they started to
headquarters after making futile
effort to locate the owner.
| At Twentieth and Derry streets
the horse refused to go on and turn
ping in front of Mr.. Meyers stable
Mr. Meyer said after the horse was
put in the stable he called the men
into the house and gave them each
a cup of coffee. While inside Mover
continued, Schmehl began brush
| ing his clothes and said it. would
cost him So to have them cleaned.
He explained he considered this q
demand for a reward and gave each
| officer 80 cents which they accepted.
Look to Mayor
Residents of the city are looking
to Mayor Keister to explain his COM
plete change of attitude about con-
ditions in the city police depart
| ment Two months ago about two
days after Federal and state authori-
ties raided many alleged disorderly
houses in the city without consult
4 ing city police, the Mayor said:
II have no charges TO bring
against any officers on the force"
u Now two officers are charged with
graft, receiving 80 cents each from
an ice dealer for returning a horse
which had, strayed away. The Of
fense, 1t would seem, is greater than
4 lack of knowledge about any house
of i'll repute in the CITY,, for the
Mayor has asked the two patrol.
men to resign and one of his state
ments is:
"a general cleanup will be start
! ed before very long, for l propose tc
adjust all Inconsistencies in the de-
partment.'
The Start
/ Everyone concerned admits the ex
citement of last night was the fina
stirring up of a restless situation
that has existed among the members
of the police force for months
Patrol Bihl and Schmehl had
words, Magnelli was called as q wit
ness. Noah S. Meyer, an Ice mer
chant living in Twentieth street
near Broo tSwood was called into the
affair and brought to light the al.