New Britain herald., 1929-12-06

his testimony was not worth any thing. the chairman said, and he was ready to vote in favor Of not preferring charges against Sergeant McCue.
 Commissioner Morton said he felt the same about the matter, and no necessity for the alleged assault, as Dahlgren was to be dealt with in court and was fined for the offense with which he was charged when arrested. When Sergeant MCCue went into the cell and took the cup away from him. he did what his duty required him to do, Mr. Morton said.
 Commissioner Parker had no com- nent, and Commissioner TomikoW- ski said the question to be decided was the manner in which Dahlgr2n sustained the injuries described. if he was assaulted, an effort should be made to determine the details, and if he fell, this fact should also be ascertained. He moved that the commissioners go into executive ses- sion 10 consider the case, which. was done, and in about five minutes the decision was read by Clerk Me Grail.
 Scanlou Tcstifics to Assault
 In the Johnson case. Scanlon, who is 70 years Of age, told the board of being slapped in the face by the officer, who also used improper language towards him before ar resting him on the charge of oper- ating an automobile while under the influence of liquor. His story was practically the same as he told iu police court. He denied that he was intoxicated but admitted having been drinking at a bachelor party some time prior to the arrest, whicn was made about 3:20 q. m. on Man street just south of the railroad crossing.
 Iliag Yessian of "A Hartford ave- nue and George Glynn, called by ScanIon, testified that they were present at the Liberty gasoline stu ton on West Main street when Off Cer Johnson was on the beat, and he talked to them frequently and ap- parently knew them. although he testified in police court that he did not know Scanlon. Scanlon told the | commissioners the officer often call ed him Dick"
 Officer Johnson denied the use of improper language towards the young man but admitted skipping hlm, as he admitted in police court lie thought SCanlon was going to punch him as he made a move that 1 looked like a preparation for a | punch. and he slapped him hard enough to put him off balance so that he would be unable to deliver a blow. Chairman Bannan told the officer he could excuse anyone. in Cluding policeman, for becoming angry or losing his head" and slap 1 ping someone, but what he did not i like was the officers testimony that 1 he did not know Scanlon. q have 1 often seen you talking to him my self, yet you say you do not know 1 him. the chairman said. The off cor replied that he spoke to many people on the street and did not 1 know them, and after he arrested Scanlon he asked Sergeant Flynn 1 the young mans name. He under
 stood the sergeant to say "Richard Stanley" His own mother would
 not know him, by the condition ol his clothing when he got out of thar
 car" the officer said.
 Going into Scanlon's actions the
 officer said he pulled the gear sniff
 rod out on the way 10 the police
 station and braced himself against
 the door on the way into the station
 so that it was necessary to forcc
 him in.
 Bannan Disqualifies Himself Chairman Bannan wanted tc
 know if the officer had a bad mem.
 ory for faces and he replied that
 he thought not. Then the chairman
 told him he was stepping out of tht
 case because Scanlon is one of hi!
 employes, but before doing so h,
 wanted Officer Johnson and ever,
 other member of the department tc understand thoroughly that the,
 must be careful of their testimon!
 in court. He pointed out that Or
 fiCer Johnson told Sergeant Flynr he would not have arrested Scan lon had not the latter been fresh, yet on the witness stand he deniet that he made such a statement - Commissioner Tomikowski observe' that it takes pretty good man t avoid contradicting himself unde
 the cross examination of such al = able lawyer as Judge Mangan, l Judge Mangan having been Scan f Ions counsel in court.
 ? Sergeant Flynn was called 10 giv t his version Of the conversation wit - Officer Johnson after SCanlOn ha ] been arrested. and he said he be f iievcd the officer on the wines