The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-03-10
Recorder Denies Discrimination
In P0licenans Misconduct Case

Following City Council referral
of Police Officer G. C. I,oonev,s
alleged misconduct to the Civil
Service Board, Recorder H, Win
field Smith last night expressed
his amazement at the charge. and
to a remark that the court showed
determinations.
Looney is alleged to have cursed
white waitress in a local cafe
and to have assaulted a Negro
Army veteran while under the in
fluence of intoxicants. His case
was heard by the City Council yes
terday.
At the hearing, it was voted to
forward the records OF the inves-
tigation to Recorder Smith $50
he will be advised of the action
in the case and SO might be better
able to right any wrongs because
of the testimony of an officer who
made an arrest while under the in
fluence of whiskey."
Judge Smith, declaring that the
story in yesterdays Wilmington
News was the first information he
had received on the matter, said
II am amazed and shocked to
learn that City Police Officer
Looney is alleged to have been
under the influence of liquor at
the time he arrested one Herbert
frederick, colored, on a charge
Of disorderly conduct.
"There was no intimation or sug-
gesion from any witness, including
the defendant or any of his wit
nesses, that Officer Looney was
under the influence of liquor on
the night in question. I do not
recall that Officer Wilson Goo-
ney's partner on the beaD testi-
fled in the case, but if he did, ]
am sure that he said nothing about
Looney drinking or any other i'm
proper conduct on his part.
From the evidence in the case,
I tried to treat the defendant fair
honestly and just, as do in all
cases. If l think defendant is
telling the truth, I render my YER
diets accordingly.
"In the case involved, If I re.
call correctly, the defendant, af-
ter being told that he had the
right of appeal to Superior court
accepted the judgement Of the
court and paid his fine and costs
Immediately.
1 note that the officer involved
will be tried before the Civil Sefv
ice Commission and I will reopen
and dismiss the case at once il
he is found guilty Of the charge
as I understand it,
Meeting in special session yes
terday, the Council considered the
allegations against Looney and
questioned the action of severa
police officers and the Recorder s
court.
Councilman Edgar Vow, whose
motion to recommend permanent
suspension for the policeman new
err reached a vote, summed up the
accusations by saying he wa:
guilty of cursing a white woman
in a cafe and beating the Negro
while in a policeman uniform.
The waitress referred to wa!
Ethel Macarthur, employe o
Adams Pit Barbecue stand, So;
South Front; the Negro, Herber
Rhedrick, 81, Of sos South Four
teneth street, discharged soldier
and under care of mis- Veteran!
Administration
Accused of disorder1y conduct
Rhedrick pleaded innocent in Re
corder's court and was given
3G-aay suspended sentence upol
payment of fine and costs o
$3.50 and two years good beha
vior. The states witness was OF
ficer Looney, and the defendant
were Lille Powell, Alice Hickman
and Blanch Brown, all of Hillcres
cafe, 18th and Dawson streets.
Introducing the Looney case
City Manager A. c. Nichols salt
the actions Of the officer, a Cit.
policeman since the fam Of l945
presented a case "a little NOR
beyond anything we've had be
fore" Past disciplinary actor
has been handled by the polio
chief with Amusement to the Clvl
Service Commission, he explained
Assistant Police Chief j. E. Jo1
dan said he Ibid not notice" tina
the officer was intoxicated Wnel
he reported for duty at 7:45 p. m
February %, and that his first IN
formation about the matter cam
from the waitress the folloWln
night when she complained M1
Mooney had cursed her in an al
o,,ment that ensued with his deslr
to nav for hot dog and sol
drinks. In her statement she SAL
her employer did not require pay
ment for food from policemen.
Chief lord n said he later re
ceived admission from Office
Looney that he had drunk som m
1io,1or before coming to work. -. II
said he learned from Patrolmal
+ W. Wilson, who was on out
with Looney, that he was unoe
the influence" but never saw MN
drink. IT,, !;
private Looney was described l
some of the various affidavlts a
swearing at the W ltr e $ S u
Adams cafe at 9 pm; assaui'