The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-08-27
DECIDES TO RESIST
REMOVAL IN FARLEY
With HIS ATTORNEY
Expects to Declare Fight Plans
at Board Meeting Wednesday
Evening
IN Department q YEARS
Friends Rally to His Support as
News Of Resignation Request
Spreads
IN Department q YEARS

Police Chief Chris J. Martineson,
member Of the Bismarck police force
for the last 23 years and head Of the
department for 10 years, has been
asked to resign his post by the city
commission.
Decision to ask Chief Martineson
for his resignation was reached by the
city commissioners in Z special meet
ing Saturday forenoon and City At
torney Charles L. Foster was instruct
ed to inform the police chief Of this
action.
No formal charges Of any nature
have yet been drawn, Foster said
Monday morning, declaring that such
action has been forestalled In the
anticipation that Martineson would
acquicsce to the request for Q volun-
tary resignation, thereby obviating the
'.scessity for public hearing on for
NAL charges before the commission.
VIII Resist Removal
After q conference with his attof.
ney, Scott Cameron, Monday fore
noon, Martineson announced that he
will resist removal from his Job.
With this development. 1t Is prob
able that Martineson will make IN
appearance before the city commits
sion at the boards meeting In the
city hall ut 8 o'clock "wednesday eve
ming to make his reply to the resig-
nation request. There win be no
meeting Of the city board tonight, It's
regular meeting night.
Foster notified Martineson Of the
commissions decision Saturday eve
ming, and since that time the news
of the request for his resignation has
spread widely throughout the city,
with many Of the police chiefs friends
rallying to his support for retention.
Among suggestions by Martineson's
friends Is one that he be retained, II
not as chief, at least as detective or
plain-clothes man In view Of his wide
experience In police work and because
Of his information contacts.
Commission Determined
Foster said the commission did not
desire to make known any Of its
grounds for asking Martineson's res
ignation until the police chief for
mally informs the body that he will
not resign voluntarily. declaring the
commission has no desire to make
any charges public unless the police
chief desires such procedure. He in
timated that the commission Is de-
termined that Martineson "must CO."
Though Foster refused to give an
inkling as to what charges against the
police chief might be. 1t Is common
knowledge that Martineson's recent
illness, which kept him in . local hos
pital for several weeks within the last
year. Is one Of the principal COM
plants against him.
In an informal statement, the po-
lice chief said that he believes he has
performed his duties efficiently and
honestly and that he Is determined |
not to resign without q hearing.
Previous to joining the Bismarck |
police force, Martineson was employed |
as q special detective ct the state |
hospital at jamestown and also q |
guard at the state penitentiary here. |
He has assisted In solution Of sew
eral notable murder cases IN the state |
IN the last Two decades.
Action Was Unanimous
The resolution asking for Maritime
sons removal was adopted unAni-
mously by the city commissioners, |
City Auditor Myron II. Atkinson said
Monday.
The resolution follows:
Whereas, numerous complaints |
have been made by citizens Of the
City Of Bismarck to the Police Com
missioner and to the City Commits
sion Of this City, said complaints re-
lating to the conduct Of the office Of
Chief Of Police and Of the police de-
4)artment In general, and
Whereas, it appears to the Board
Of City Commissioners that It will be
for the best interest Of the City Of
Bismarck that hearing be held up
on such complaints and II the same
are suhstantiated that the Chief Of
Police be removed,
Nov, therefore, Be It resolved by !.
the Board Of City Commissioners Of
the City Of Bismarck, that the City |,
Attorney Of the City Of Bismarck be
and he Is hereby directed and ordered
to interview the Chief Of Police and n
his resignation from such
office and that, falling to procure
such resignation, the said City ,
Attorney b and he Is hereby ordered
and directed 70 prepare charges
against tho said Chief Of Police upon ,
The matters contained In the com.
plaints - hereinbefore referred TO-
ma % serve the same upon the said !
(C0ntinllAd On PnaA ~ II