Ontario Community Newspapers

Ontario Scrapbook Hansard, 9 Mar 1929, p. 1

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NEWSPAPER CHARGES REGARDING DISMISSAL i)lSlll(hlEl) BY MG bu/we/io-Ala-e-z- 772 Published Interview "hll Mix- ed Up," He Says-vom- fidence Abused" NEVER MET K. K. HOMUTH Believes His Discharge War- ranted by Dealings With 800tlegger Public Accounts Committee's investi- gation of R. B. Brien's newspaper charges that he was dismissed from the Provincial Police force last summer through political interference with his duties and because of his zeal in en- forcing the Liquor Control Act took an abrupt turn at yesterday's continu- ation ot the Legislature inquiry. Under a stiff examination trom Hon. William Finltryson, Government rep- resentative on the committee, Brien admitted that in taking a. roll :of bills from Bretvn, a Kitch- ener bootlegger. to pay a note in the latter's favor, he had done enough to warrant his dismissal; that he had no complaint to make about the official disposal of the Conestoga road-open- iipg incident except that he had been ',"teensuredr' from Toronto headquarters; gthat the Toronto Star reporter who quoted him, in an interview, as saying ;the beer seized at the Blair Street :dance belonged to a. Conservative mem- ber of Parliament had got "all mixed Inn" and had "abused his confidence"--- land that at no time dining his Wat- Flare-ups between examiners, which characterized the opening of the in- quiry last Wednesday, were conspicuous- ly absent yesterday. The ccmmittce will lit again next Tuesday morning. Brien was permitted to go to his home, sub- led. to recall for the purpose cf re- examination by Liberal Leader Sin- clair if the occasion arises. erloo County work had he ever can-I versed with Karl K. Homuth, M.P.P. Ample Warnings Given. Prom Inspector Edward Rae. otficer in charge of the Kitchener post. the committee had evidence ot the ample warnings Brien had been given to pay his debts: of the incident in Com- missioner Williams's office when Brien was alloned to resign, rather than be dismissed. in order that he might more {easily secure new employment; and of {intercession on his part that saved the iman from being "fired" months earlier "tan he actually was struck " the force. 1 Rae swore that there was no political iinterference behind his return of the (Schneider liquor permit in the Cones- toga affair: that the case was so pure- ly "local" that he never even reported it to Toronto; that Brien. by his fail- ure' to act as the law provides. lost any chance he may have had to secure evidence for a prosecution in the Blair incident; and that at the time he did not even know Mr. Homuth or W. G. AWeichel, M.P.P., whose names." this country as "pulling mm orr the case." Evidence on the Exchange Hotel Incident, at We11csiey, was also fur- nished by the Inspector, and took a "mile; trend. imam, nave been 0211mm at): ll «Entry as "pulling him off the btw. 5iirfa.e Juv: 43 mtsif- 'tr "I never told him a: was witness's reply. 1it.--Did you evér have any of your other creditors give you a. roll ot bills to pay oft your indebtedness? A.--No. "Do you remember him tuning you." asked Mr. Finlaysou. "that you hadn't played fair with him-that you had reported him to Toronto?" . Describing Brown's visit lo his house the night following the bank meeting, witness said that, he. Brown. had "brought up a bunch of notes for the $80." Q.--Why did. you money, than? A.--1 money for nothing. Q.-r quite b?lieve that you didn't take his money for nothing. Brien Lula the cummitiee that on many occasions premous to the Dam; meeting Brown hed asked his "help." He denied that he had discussed with Che Magistrate the question of mm: was to be done with Brown. Q.---Did you put in a good word from Brown ? Q.---Wos the mun-y msikedy A.--l heard so afterward. Q.--Did Brown have the numbers? A.--a don't know. (it-Men, he had you foul. A.---He didn't have me foul. Q.--Do you mean to say hr: didn" have you foul when you tock mom-'3' from him? A.---Absoiutely. No Connection. Q.--/The fact that yuu got the money and Brown got the minimum penalty had nothing to do with each other? A.--No. not a thing. Q.--Now, Brien, do you think any Provincial oftieer would take money from a boot2cgger? A.--1 wouldn't say that. tit.---):, Brien. ll hen you deal wich bootlcggers in this ITN'----- A.--I don't deal with bootrleggers. Q.--iell. you tool: money from a. bootlegger in this case. Witness Brien explained that he had tccepted the roll of bills only because Brown had told him that his. Browns' credit would have been "injured" at the bank if he, Brown. had had to pay the note Q.--Brown is a Jew-a pretty shrewd business man? A.---) dont know about that. .tit.--Do you want this committee to believe that with a conviction hanging over his head that might get him two months or six months you took $80 from him without showing him any consideration? 1r-Abso1ute"sy. R.--Do you still tell the committee that you don't: know how much mothry Brown gave you? A.--Yes. " tit.---):, Brien. 1\ hen you deal wich LU" _ - "Absolutely." was the "ry tplling the truth." "Do you medCG victed bootlegger, as taking your note out "It's not a. question of all," said Mr. Finlayson. I wrong. I dont want to hart you with perjury." When Bills Changed Hands. swore before that it know that you were you, said $50." "Yes." said Brien, mistaken." ea" tor payment. he had paid another $10 instalment. But; Brown had not; insisted" on paying the Interest this time. - "So, in any event," declared Mr. Fin- layson, "we now have your admission that you still owe Brown $80, when you When Mr. Finlayson resumed his cross-examination ot Brien, he at once Pressed-aa he pressed on Wednesday lasb---tor a definite answer as to how much the former Provincial ottieer owed 'uy,5t,y the Kitehener bootlegger. "Ninety dollars," was Brien's reply. "Come on, you're only guessing again. It was $97. How long was the note tor?" "Three months." '2,et,Yeyrtyirg again: it was 60 days." Debt to Bootieggcr. "What was the' jiitiGiii?"'ia gave Bijqwn for?" he asked. Bl a question of mistake ati want this committee to ith a conviction hanging that might get him two r; months you took $80 I: committee that on prexious to the ham; hed asked his "help." he had discussed with y ycu got the money minimum penalty with each other? was only $50. You; wrong. now, when; my 'son. "You were to have to charge take Brown's didn't take his tun. was go _ days." may ha '-.'e been witness's reply. such thing."

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