New Britain herald., 1922-12-28
POLICE WILL LOSE
 PART 0F VACATIONS
(continued From First Pase)

on orders issued by him. the patrol
 men were to report twice a week a
 the Y. M. c. A, for physical train
 ing course. He explained that on De
 cember 22, 14 members of the depart
 ment and sergeant were reported a
 absent from the drill. Chief liar
 said that the act was ono of dis
 obedience, and the guilty men shoul,
 be punished The reports from tn
 men who failed to be present wer
 then produced,
 It developed that Patrolmen Pete
 McEvoy and Anthony Walenczius hat
 reported at the association building
 last Friday and they were not called
 before the board. Chairman Dunr
 asked the chief if there had been any
 distinction in any of the cases of tht
 men. The head of the departmen,
 said that none of them had been ex.
 cused
 No Charges Preferred.
 Tn addressing the patrolmen and sergeant, Chairman Dunn explained that there was an opinion that charges should be preferred against the men about to be given hearing and that three days be allowed in which to prepare defense. He said that this applied in cases where sus- pended policemen were in danger of being dismissed and did not apply to the case before the board. He said that the board wanted to be fair to the men, and they would be within their rights in asking for an exten- sion of time. Policeman Patrick O'Mara said that in view of the fact that no charges had been presented he was of the opinion that the board should proceed with the hearing. Po- liceman James Sullivan suggested that the cases be dealt with individ- ually.
 Sergeant Flynn's Opinion.
 Sergeant Michael Flynn was first heard. He admitted that he had ab- sented himself from the drill with out permission, and that he was guilty of disobedience, but not of a wilful character, and he was not guilty of insubordination. He quoted the military rulings of cases in the army tried before court martial. The sergeant took the view that inasmuch as he had absented himself without permission, his status was A. w. Q. L., a military term used in cases of men away without permission. The sergeant said he had heard reports that Hergstrom, the physical director at the Y. M. c. A., was an attendant at the Ku Klux Klan, and for that reason he did not think he should at tend the drill.
 Commissioner Jackson then asked l the sergeant what would be the status of a man who failed to obey con- 1 mand after being ordered to perform certain duties. The sergeant said the man would be guilty of insubordi- nation. Commissioner Jackson then ! asked the sergeant if he believed that Chief Hart must inform the men every week that they should attend the drills, and the answer was in the negative. The sergeant said that his absence was on his own initiative, and that he had not learned before the drilf last Friday that other members of the force had intended to absent &
 Commissioner Lange, asked the ser seant regarding any proof he had hat Hergstrom was in attendance at he meeting. The sergeant was not lble to state definitely that Hergstrom lid attend, and he said that he had lcted very hastily in the whole mat CT.
 Commissioner Parker asked the if after hearing the report hat Hergstrom attended the K. K. K. sathering he was not angry. The ergeant said that this was true. He vas asked what he would do if in the uture similar occasion arose, and le answered that he would take the natter up with the chief.
 O'Brien Apologizes. IT Patrolman John F. O'Brien said he ras disobedient, but he heartily apol- { gized to Chief Hart and he wanted he privilege of so doing in the pres |a nee of the board. The policeman s aid that all he knew about the s Iergstrom incident was what he had I eadsin the papers. He said that he [ ad heard from a member of the de- r artment that Hergstrom was at the | 1eeting. and an expression that if his was the case the men should re- 1ain away from the drill. s { The policeman said that he had nought the matter over, and should ave reported his feelingssto Chief y Tart but that he failed to do so. Hell aid that he would not do anything V , embarrass Chief Hart, and that in 10 future he would carrltOut orders Commissioner Jackson asked if byI hief Hart the policeman meant just n le present head of the department. W he policeman said that it applied to n ny chief. u
 Nfoffit Busy at Home. g Policeman George Moffitt said he n as absent from the drill the same as If le rest of the men, and he was sorry Ii 'r his action He said that he had a ,t seen Chief Hart in the matter. In F ,swer to questions by Chairman si unn, Moffitt said that as it was h hristmas time he was busy at his ome. and he decided to remain away