The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-05-09
STATE POLICE
IN BAD M|XUP
Local Policeman Arrested by Two
Troopers While Performing
His Duties Last Sunday.
CITIZENS ARE INDIGNANT

The action Of VI state policemen
in this city last Sunday has caused q
wave of indignation to sweep ove the
city and demands are persistent that
the two offending state troopers be
made to suffer heavy penalties for
their action. They viii be given a
hearing before Mayor Charles E. Jack
son., al the City Hall. this Wednesday
night, charged with interfering with
an officer and several other charges.
The state officers against whom the
above charges were made are George
McTighe and Horace Rankin. On Sun
day these officers of the law violated
a traffic signal operated by policeman
Carlson Of this city. When he halted
them for their violation they became
abusive and Carlson attempted TO
place them under arrest. They, in
turn, drew reYolYers, or at least one
of them did, and placed Carlson under
arrest and carted him off to Egg Har-
Dor for a hearing before Magistrate
William Mischlich. who has obtained
a lot OF ~notoriety Of late by handling
cases for the state police. Misehlich
held Carlson under bail on a charge
Of assault and battery made by the
troopers.
Mayor Jackson, as soon as he heard
OF the kidnapping OF his ~patrolman,
hastened 10 Egg Harbor City and i1-
mediately entered the bail for Carlson.
Then Mayor Jackson demanded&A aI
the W troopers appear befors&h
here Tuesday evening for a 3taang
on the charge of interfering Will a
police officer. As Carlson desired to
be in New York Tuesdaxfo bid fare
well TO his parents. who are on a voy-
age TO Europe, the hearing was later
set for Wednesday night. The local
authorities intend TO push this matter
against the offending troopers to the
limit, TO ascertain just how far state
troopers can go in interfering with
police regulations of a municipality.
officer Carlson was stationed at the
corner of Main street and Washington
avenue on Sunday afternoon, directing
traffic at this corner, which is said to
be one of the most dangerous inter-
sections in all New Jersey. The Two
troopers came speeding along and
passed his signal. He halted them
and then the alteration occurred.
The taking of Carlson from this in
portant posi- WAS an c that ci1lzslE
resent. The opinion is freely express
ed that if Carlson had been in the
wrong at any time. that the troopers
could easily have summoned him 70
appear at a later time instead OF plae-
ing him under arrest and summarily
hurrying him TO Egg Harbor TO ap-
pear before Magistrat Mischlich.
There are many other Justices OF the
Peace much nearer than Egg Harbor
before whom they could have taken
their prisoner.
Just why state police are privileged
TO violate all traffic laws OF the state
and municipalities with impunity is
not understood locally. They often
run through this city in automobiles
or on motorcycles al speeds varying
from forty TO sixty miles an hour IN
dangering the lives Of others in so TO-
ing. Before this matter is finished i
is hoped that the duties and rights OF
the state police viii be clearly defined.
There is no question but that the state
police, in the main, have done much
good since they were instituted. But
like all other cases. there are bad as
well as good state policemen, and the
bad ones should be made TO clearly
understand Just how far their author
ity goes in interfering with the rights
of others.