Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1923-04-03
AIdermen's Action Ends
Controversy Here
In Police Matters
ACTION WAS A SURPRISE

This action By Alderman Waterz
came as a surprise as it was not gem
orally thought he would relinquient
his powers without putting up =
fight. He had suggested that Mayor
Wilson request the aldermen to rs-
scind the rules and regulations un-
der which the board has been work
ing for twb years but when fhn
mayor failed to make this request.
Alderman Waters, on his own inifia-
tive, then introduced the measure
which was unanimously passed.
Alderman Waters action in asking
for the repeal of the rules which
places him, as chairman of the po-
lice committee, in charge OF poles
matters, is indicative Of his willing
ness TO allow the mayor to have
full authority over police matters
The alderman, during the recent
controversy with the mayor, has de-
clared several times that he does not
wish to mix UP in police matters. bur
has only been doing what the rufes
and regulations, then in effect. cali
for. Now that these rules have been
fescinded and the police COMMITTEES
Is relieved of responsibility In the
conduct of the police department,
The mayor will be the person Chief
Tonnesen must confer with in mat
ters of unusual importance.
Mayor Wilson has indicated his in.
tention to permit the chief to eoh-
duct the department as he sees ut. \
and it is reported the chief Will have
some new orders for his men within
g few days, calling for better dis
F. eiplins in the future.
First intimation OF any mCes by
the aldermen to do away witH Hhs
existing police rules and regulator =
came early IN the meeting when IN
der the head of committee reports.
the police committee accommodates
the resembling of the police >zSss :.
ana the adoption Of new ones. A
| motion was carried to refer this f3,
the city attorney, Alderman cIsrlc
requesting to be excused from vot-a
( ing.
! Inc next matter having to do with
ponce matters was the recent OF +
ietter from City Attorney Wilentz IN
forming the board that police trials
IN the pase have been Conducted f,s
such manner as to allow irreci,
iarities to creep in. Such tflats
should be before the entire board
! ana not the police committees alone
/ the communication stated, and eaeis
member before being permitfed
vote Tor the guilt or iunocenct.
I the defendant must have heard ths
entire testimony in the case. Tn.
/ attorney also recommends, reea,4
slderlns the hearing of Officer Loa.s
! hanson, originally set down Tor IN +
night, but later adjourned t6t,;
! Friday night
4 Alderman Clark opposed the man
ner in which the hearing OF Office.
Hanson was postponed. he declaring
| nothing could be adjourned Naich
/ rad not convened. Tie city alto
ney assured the aldermen fh
changing OF the date set for the n
was legal and that no difficult
could result.
The next step in police nlafi
came under the heading OF NJ
business, when a resolution vas
adopted, Alderman Clark having left
the meeting early, with the aye votes
ci all present favoring the resembling
OF the police rules and regulations
as adopted in 1921. THIS action
took from the police COMMITTEES th~
power to supervise and instruct tha
Chief along certain lines.
Alderman Waters then pointed utrf
that, whereas the police rules fa6
been rescinded, it would be irnnnsz
sible fer the police committee "a
conduct a hearing OF Officer EIansoys
The aldermen then reconsidersd
their action taken at a subseouent
meeting at which the charges,
against the officer were referred ID
the police committee. Upon motiofS
of Alderman Waters these cha2xe
We're ordered returned to the MAJ on
with the request that they Be ras
drawn so as to be in apscordancd
with the police rules and reguiationz
adopted by ordinance on April q
1902.
As a result OF this action Frfdax
nights hearing of Officer Hanson is
off and the matter of having charges
again presented is now in the hands
of the mayor. now the undisputed
head OF the department..