New Britain herald., 1927-07-26
CYCLE COP CEASES
 POLICE DEPT. AUTO
Story of Double Pursuit Comes
 Out in Police Court

Nakeneld court, was OlSCHdTSeu ps Judge Henry P. Roche in police court this morning after a lengthy hearing on the charge of reckless driving. He was represented by At torney Harry M. Ginsburg. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney w. M. Green stein presented the states case and after the evidence was concluded Judge Roche said the testimony was conflicting and he felt inclined to give Herre the benefit of the doubt.
 Sergeant Stadler testified that he was going out of the Paragon drive about 11:30 o'clock the night Of July 19 when he saw a car going towards New Britain at fast rate of speed. He gave chase and at 5s miles an hour he could not overtake the car. After increasing his speed he could not shorten the distance between himself and the alleged reckless driver, he said.
 At Hartford avenue and Stanley street he called to Motorcycle Officer Harper, who took up the chase and arrested Herre on East Main street. When questioned Herre said well, wasn't going under thirty ac cording to the sergeant He also said he was following a certain car but tho sergeant was positive that car was not in front of Here's car.
 Glasses Police Car
 Oncer Harper testified that he followed Sergeant Stadler on Stanley street before he recognized the po- lice car which was going fast. The sergeant told him he had been driv- ing at the rate of 55 miles an hour but cold not overtake the car he was chasing. At East Main street, near Summer street, Officer Harper clocked the car at 35 miles an hour. There was no other traffic on the street at the time.
 Herre testified that he had the car repaired and took 1t out on the eve ming in question to go to Hartford. On the way back he drove at the rate of 45 miles an hour but as he neared the Belvidere section he : slowed down to 35 miles an hour. There were very few cars on the road. He was sure there were not nine cars on the stretch mentioned by Sergeant Stadler.
 Patrick Leahy, a chauffeur, testi- fled that he drove at the rate of 50 miles an hour part of the way in from Hartford. He has been driving for 10 years. never has had an acci- dent and never has been arrested, he said. He was driving from Hartford and knew Herre was behind him. There was very little traffic. he said.
 Harry Vetrano of Russwin road and Douglas Norton of 7S5 West Main street, who were riding with Herre testified that the traffic was light and they saw no evidence of recklessness.
 Nearly Forces Car on Road
 Carl Miller, aged 27. of Newington, charged with reckless driving on July 19. was represented by Attor- ney Thomas F. McDonough. Officer Louis E. Harper testified that he made the arrest on Newington ave- nue about S:30 in the evening after clocking Miller's car at the rate of 45 miles an hour. Miller forced one car to the extreme side of the road, the officer said.
 Miller denied that he was driving at the speed claimed by the officer. l I F. and he did not force any cars off the road. In reply to Mir. Greenstein, Miller said he knew of no reason why Officer Harper's attention was attracted to his car when there were other cars on the road.
 Leo Morin testified that he Was driving on Newington avenue the night of the arrest and saw no evid- ence of recklessness.
 Attorney McDonough claimed that reasonable doubt existed and Miller should be given the benefit of it. The method of clocking the speed of ve- hicles is unfair to drivers, the attor- ney maintained. as an officer must drive fast to overtake cars and. when he does so. he records the speed of his own machine which must be in excess of that of the car he is chas- man, needs his license and should be given the consideration war ranted by the conflicting testimony.
 Judge Roche said the speed at which Miller was driving was not the only element to be considered. and one was forced off, according 10 the testimony. Relative to Morin's estimate Of the speed of Miller's car. Judge Roche declared he believed it practically impossible for a person to gauge with any degree Of accur- acy the speed of a vehicle coming towards the one in which he is rid ing. He made a finding of guilty and imposed a fine of So5 and costs. Bonds for appeal were fixed at S250.
 Ignores Cops Whistle, Fined S35
 Andrew Lickwar. aged 19, of 2S Derby street. pleaded not guilty to charges of reckless driving and dis obeying a policeman. Officer Ernest Bloomquist testified that an auto I mobile was driven at speed of 35 or 4o miles an hour on West Main street about 9:15 Sunday night and he attempted to stop the driver by blowing his whistle. to no avail.
 He gave chase in q comman- deered car but could not overtalie his quarry. The driver looked out and deliberately increased the speed of his car, the officer testified The traffic was heavy at the time.
 Detective Sergeant McCuc t"sti- fled that J.ickwar was arrested yesterday when he called at the po- lice station during the investigation of Officer Bloomquist's report.
 Lickwar denied that he was driv- ing recklessly. He said car in front