Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-18
w. H. Taylor of Norfolk Com
pIainant Against Police
man Cox.
SAYS LATTER ARGUED
IN MAKING ARREST
Compliments Story Upheld by
Fellow Officers Present in
Station House.

Walter H. Taylor, director of public
works of Norfolk, Va, appeared at q
Police Trial Board hearing today as a
| complaining witness against Washing
ton policeman, on charges of violation
OF the courtesy order invoked by Com
missioner Herbert B. Crosby regulating
the treatment of visitors to the CITY.
Testifying against Melvin Cox, , re-
Gently transferred from the third to
the harbor precinct for the good of the
service, Mr.. Taylor declared he had
been insulted and upbraided by the
policeman without provocation on 8
visit to Washington May 81.
Two fellow policemen, j. j. Fitz-
patrick and John A. Penkert. TESTIFY
ing In defense of Cox, contradicted
statements OF Cox that the accused
policeman had not argued needlessIv
with Mr.. Taylor at the third precinct
station, where the Norfolk visitor had
peen taken on charge of violating a
stop signal while driving in the city,
Says Browbeater.
The complaining witness said he was
en- route to Pennsylvania when the in
cldent occurred. He said he was driv-
ing north on Nineteenth street at
Pennsylvania avenue, where Cox was
directing traffic. AS he passed the
policeman blew his whistle. Be
lieving he was blowing for some one
else, Mr.. Taylor said he continued on
ms trip. He was overtaken by Police
man Cox and directed to a police sta
ton. Taylor testified Cox was INSULT
ing In his manner on the way to the
station. On arriving there he said he
informed those present he was a Vir-
glnia visitor and Cox and other police.
men told him m sarcastic manner
to tell 1t to the Judge.
Cox testified he held up his hands to
cause Mr.. Taylor to stop his automo-
bile In order that he could change his
semaphore. He said he turned the
semaphore SO it would require the Vir-
gilman to stop just as his car started
across the intersection and that the
signal was diSobeyed. He said he was
courteous to Mr.. Taylor, both when he
stopped his car a block or two away
and in the station house.
Officers Support Defendant.
The police defendant called Fitzpat-
rick and Penkert, other third precinct
policemen, to the stand, and they failed
10 support his claim that he had not
entered into an argument with Mr.. Tay-
Tor after reaching the station house.
Capt. Fred Cornwell of the fourth
precinct, a member of the trial board,
recalled Mr.. Taylor to the witness stand
after Cox had testified and asked him
whether policemen used whistles in Nor
folk. The witness said such equipment
had not been employed there in recent
years.
Capt. Cornwell told him policemen
mad used whistles there last Summer
when he had occasion to drive through
Norfolk.
After being recalled Mr.. Taylor de-
MED the policeman had raised his hand
IN an effort to cause him to stop or
nao changed his senaphore while he
was crossing the intersection.
The other members of the board were
inspector 7. r. Bean and Capt. Oden
William G. Stott was excused from
serving on the board during the case
because Cox formerly served in his ore
clnct and he expressed a desire to have
no connection with the trial.