New Britain herald., 1922-12-23
Men File Reports With Chief Hart Explaining Why They Did Not Report.
Severe Punishment Predict ed for Offenders-Y. M. c. A. Men Deny Any Connec- tion With Klan Meeting.

Members of the police department who absented themselves from the i l weekly physical drill at the Y M. 0, 1
 A. yesterday morning filed statements|
 with Chief Hart this morning after 1
 completing their tour of duty, admit ting that they remained away because 1 they had heard that Joseph Herg- 4
 strom, physical director of the asso-
 citation and their mentor at the drills,
 had attended the Ku Klux Klan f
 meeting in Turner hall on Wednes- 1
 day night.
 Men Involved | The policemen are: Sergeant Mich- 1
 ael J. Flynn and Patrolman George {
 Moffitt, John r. O'Brien, M. J.
 Moore, Thomas J. Feeney Maurice 1
 Flynn, Patrick O'Mara, James Sulli-
 van, Anthony Waiencius, Peter Mc- |
 Evoy, Charles Anderson, Alfred Tam
 quay. Thomas Tierney. John Ken- nedy and Patrick Meehan. 1 Only three men appeared for the-I drill, Sergeant George C. Ellinger and 1
 Patrolman Delbert Veley and Peter l Cabelus Patrolman Walencius re- { | ported late.
 Severe Punishment Promised I It is said in well-informed circles 1 that the police commissioners are in | dignant at the action of the men in l | taking the law into their own hands | and intend to punish them severely for what is conAdered a serious breach of discipline. No action will be taken, however. until a formal re- port is received from Chief Hart, who also resents the violation of depart
 ment regulations.
 I In substance all of the reports of
 tho men to Chief Hart are couched in
 Language which show that tue writers
 resent being under Mr. Hergstrofn It l is the contention of the chief of tho l departm and some of the board of police commissioners, that the men erred in taking the initiative and not presenting their case to the chief. Violation of Orders, Chief Says Chief Hart, when asked for state- ment relative to the affair said, tho members of the police department were ordered to report twice week at the Y. M. c. A. for physical train- ing. That order still stands. When they did not show up yesterday. 1t was violation of these orders. will report the matter to the police com mission for further action.
 Continuing Chief Hart said that each of the men involved left re- port on his desk, explaining the rea-f son for being absent from the drill The head of the department said that the men made mistake in acting aSs they did, explaining that in cases where there is a matter of dispute it should be taken up with the head of the department, who in turn would make report to the board of police commissioners.
 Cabelus Attended After Protesting.
 The chief said that none of the men had received any permission to miss the drill yesterday and Captain Thomas w. Grace, also said that he had not given any of the men per- mission to remain away. Captain Grace said that Policeman Cabelus called at the office yesterday after noon, asked to be advised on the matter of attending the drill or stay- ing away and was advised to obey or ders. Chief Hart said this morning that he believed the men had acted without giving the situation serious thought.
 Chief Hart said that as far as he knew there had been no meeting of the policemen yesterday to discusa the action. and it is his belief that the word to remain away from the meeting was passed along while the men were on their beats.
 Chairman David l.. Dunn of the police commission when asked for a statement said that he had had no official report from headquarters. "The situation as it occurs to me now. is that it is a matter for the police department to determine if the off cers are justified in refusing to go to some place after receiving orders from the chief of the department.
 Barnes Sees Police Officials
 Chairman Dunn and Chief Hart held a long discussion on the matter today. Clarence H. Barnes, general secretary of the New Britain Y. NJ C. A. also conferred with Chieh Hart and Chairman Dunn, regarding the situation. Mir. Barnes told them that Mir, Hergstron was not in attendance at the K. K. K. meeting on Wedncs- day night.
 Commissioner Edwin A. Parker in s discussing the case said If tho charges arc true it looks to me KS though the policemen disobeyed orr AS ders Further than that I have noth- ing to say in the natter.
 Commissioner Thomas r. Jackson < said today: "If the facts arc as repre- s scented. it is the rankest kind of in- and some action must { be taken and punishment meted outss
 Mayor A. M, Paonessa was asked Y by Herald man for statement m { the case, and he replied by wishing s the reporter Merry Christmas.
 Explanation by Hcrgstrom. s
 ''I think 1t was due to a misstAto<.