The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1922-03-10
CHARGES FILED
BY THE MAYOR
ARE. DISMISSED

| After hearing what evidence was
given to support the charges filed by
Mayor keisIey against Chief Of Po.
lice P. J. Parker at the formal hearing
wednesday afternoon, members of
the Mt. Vernon civil service commits.
sion dismissed the charges and direct
cd the return of Chief Parker to duty.
The hearing :was held in the COM
mon pleas courtroom. The office of
President James A. Schaeffcr, where
the hearing originally was set, proved
inadequate to accommodate all those
who wished to attend. After the room
had become crowded almost to suffo.
cation, the members of the commits
ion adjourned the hearing to the
courthouse.
Sitting as members of the commits
sion and as a court to hear the
charges were President j. A. Schaef-
fer, Clerk Arthur j. Matthews Sr.,
and Lot G. Stillwell.
Mayor keigley was represented by
City Solicitor Blair, while Chief Park
er was represented by his counsel,
Charles L. Bermont
Before taking up the hearing of the
charges against Parker, President
Schaeffer announced that IL time per-
mitted after the hearing, the commits
sion would grant an oral examination
to any persons in the city's class!-
fed service who have not taken an
examination.
Solicitor Blair formally asked the
court for an expression of its wishes
as to procedure in the hearing of the
charges. Attorney Bermont for Chief
Parker filed demurrer to the fourth
of the charges, one alleging permit
ting and acquiescing in the acts of
: former patrolmen. The point was
made that the reference is to acts
committed prior to Jan. /, 1922, the
contention being made that the may
or may not go back of the time he
assumed Office. 1t was held that for
mer mayors must have been the
= Judges of the sufIiciency of the per.
formance of Chief Parker under their
administrations.
The members of the commission
: conferred among themselves and af-
ter listening somewhat futher to ar
: gument from the attorneys held that
the inquiry should not be permitted
to so hack of January l, 1922.
In the course of the discussion be
tween the attorneys and members OF
the commission Mr.. Stillwell stated
plainly that he would not vote to re-
move any man from Office for political
or personal reasons.
An exception was taken to the com
missions ruling by Solicitor Blair
: The commission sustained the demur
rer of the defense.
The prosecution was asked to pre-
sent its witnesses. Mayor Keigley
Safety Director Hookway and Chief
a of Police Parker were sworn.
\ Chief Parker first was called to the
n stand by Solicitor Blair, Immediately
J. objection was interposed by Att rne,
{ Bermont who made the point thai
! Parker coald not be compelled to give
testimony against himself. The com
mission desiring to hear Chief Parker
was at first disposed to overrule thu
= objection but upon insistance being
Y offered sustained it. Solicitor Blai
e noted on exception.
0 Mayor Keigley went on the stand
II He told OF his reasons for being dis
Q satisfied with the performance o
t Chief Parker and the patrolmen, thi
objection going back to time whel
he had been n member of specia
council committee on fixing police sal
r, aries. Upon assuming office he ha'
asked for the designations OF Chic
l. Parker and two patrolmen. The pa
trolmen resigned the next day.
81 Touching the rules for the polio
!. department and the reasons for thel
Mayor Keigley cited two instance
when for several hours he had bee
unable to find Chief Parker and tn
latter had given no explanation hi
absoaec These were ON Jan. 2G an
Jan. 2S.
Respecting the theft of $l2 from
purse In the American restaurant sal
Chief Parker had told him 1t was n
use to investigate, as nothing coul
be learned from the suspected be