The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-08-12
Judge Tully Finds that Law Gives Him Full
Power to Dispose of Charges Against
Probation Officer.
BOARD MAY NAME COMMITTEE
District Attorney Holds that Judge Of Juvenile Court
Has Full Power to Bring Charges and Pass
Judgment Upon Weight Of Evidence.

afternoon to make any statement OIL
the differences existing between him
and the probation officer, Miss Laura
Hahn, and it was stated at the Office
Of the judge that he had no intention
of appearing before the county board
to present the matter. 1t was stated
that the matter was not one for the
consideration or decision by the coun-
ty board, but that under the law it
was a matter wholly within the juris-
diction of the judge Of the juvenile
court of Kenosha county. This hold
ing on the part of Judge Tully, who is
the presiding judge of the juvenile
court of Kenosha county, was wholly
sustained by District Attorney Fisher.
It was said that there we're pre-
cedents in the courts of Wisconsin for
the action and that these precedents
would be followed in any movement
made to remove Miss Hahn from office.
Judge Has Full Power.
Under the holding Of Judge fully
and the district attorney, Judge Tully
as judge of the juvenile court has full
power in the matter. Under the law
he may institute proceedings for re-
moval of Miss Hahn by filing with him
self formal charge against her. He
has full power to hear these charges
and to decide as to the suficiency of
the evidence for the removal of the
official complained against and he has
full power to render a judgment dis
charging the probation officer. Judge
Tully stated this morning that he had
made a close examination of the law.
He cited the fact that this very action
had been taken in connection with the
removal Of an official in Milwaukee
county and that on that occasion no
tice Of but one hour was given to the
official who was afterward removed
from office.
No Charge Filed AS Yet.
Judge Tully stated this morning that
no charge had been filed against Miss
Hahn as yet. II have been advised all
the time that the county board had
nothing to do with this matter" said
the judge. II said that | would take
the matter up in the regular manner
and that is exactly what l propose to
do. l do not know when the definite
action will be taken in the case but
when the charges have been filed Miss
Hahn will be given an opportunity to
come in and be heard. The final de-
cision in the matter will be up to the
judge of the Juvenile court and he has
no power under the law to call in an
other judge to hear the evidence"
May Go to Circuit Court.
Attorney Fisher, who was present at
the time the judge outlined the pro-
cedure in the case, stated that the re-
view of the matter would be by cer-
tori to the Circuit Court 1t was de-
clared that this was the way by which
the decision of the juvenile court
might be reviewed.
County board members had expected
to have some facts in regard to the
controversy laid before them this
morning and there was a lot of in
formal discussion of the matter during
the morning before the board was
called to order. 1t was said that the
board might act without any complaint
and appoint a committee composed Of
four members of the board and direct
that committee to work with the judge
of the Municipal Court and the ju-
venile court in handling all matters
relating to the probation officer.
eve may not have the power to hire
or fire a probation official" declared
board leader, "but certainly we have
the power to cut off the appropriation
for the Office. 1 feel certain that if
the members of the board object to the
manner in which the office is being
handled that it will promptly take ac-
ton to withdraw appropriations for
the work The fact that the board has
no power in this matter is surprise
to me and know that it is a surprise
to the majority of the board members. .