NEW CHIEF IS LAX.
Ahern Returned Arthur's Revolver
Without Making an Investigation.
After the disgraceful proceedings at the meeting of the police board Wednesday, when Chief John Hayes was removed so unceremoniously and Patrolman Harry Arthur had made what many thought was an attempt to shoot former Commissioner Rozzelle, the patrolman remained about headquarters until late in the evening. He was grumbling in an undertone and at intervals, demanding his revolver and club, which had been taken away from him by Chief Hayes and turned over to the board. Mayor Beardsley, in fact, ordered the chief to remove Arthur's revolver after Commissioner Gallagher had requested that "the new chief" be sent for to preserve order, even though several policemen were in the room and a human live seemed in danger.
Arthur demanded his revolver several times of Lieutenant H. W. Hammil, in charge of the desk, but that official would not give it to him. Finally the policeman left the room and returned with Lieutenant Charles Ryan, recently elevated by Mr. Gallagher on request from Governor Folk, and now acting inspector of detectives.
"Give this man his gun," Ryan commanded of Hammil. "The board took no action on the matter, and you have no right to hold it."
"The revolver was sent down to this desk from the board room," said Hammil. "I know nothing of what took place up there. It will not be returned, however, until I get some order from the board or some responsible authority.
Lieutenant Hammil then called up Elliot M. Jones, the new Folk commissioner, who had voted to oust Chief Hayes without hearing one word of testimony.
"Better give it back to him, I guess," the commissioner said. "It is not being held by order of the board."
The revolver was held until after roll call yesterday morning, when it was returned to Arthur. He was told to remain at the station, however, as Acting Chief Ahern wanted to see him. When Ahern was seen he said:
"I heard rumors of what had taken place up in the board room yesterday, and I wanted to get a report from Arthur about it. I held him there thinking that if the board wanted to suspend him him for what he did some action would surely be taken and I would be notified what course to pursue. As no one called me up about the case, however, I let Arthur go after he had made a statement to me regarding his actions in the board room. He said he had no intention of shooting anybody, that his club simply fell on the floor and he had stooped to pick it up."
Acting Chief Ahern said he had examined no other witnesses about Arthur's action in the board room. "I am going to investigate that," he said, finally. "I will look into the matter further and have a talk with the commissioners to get their opinions."
The members of the board were not in the position to see as much of the patrolman's actions as the men who stood nearest to him -- behind him, in fact. Chief Hayes was watching him closely, as Arthur is known to have a violent tempter, so when he saw the club fall to the floor and the man's hand go back under his coat he took the initiative, ran to the man and pinioned his arms to his side and held him, with the assistance of others.
It is not known that Mayor Beardsley had anything to do with the returning of Arthur to work yesterday morning. He said later in the day that Arthur would have to answer to the board for his actions before that body. He also said that at the meeting today he would produce several witnesses who will swear that Arthur tried to draw his revolver at the time he was seized by Chief Hayes.
