The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-28
WHATTHEY PROPOSE TO Do
The Metropolitan Police Commission
ers Foreshadow Their Course.


The experiment of a metropolitan police Is
now two weeks old. The public has accorded 1t
the charitable treatment usually shown
strange infant when found on the family door
step. No has gone into ecstatc fits over Its
boosted Beauties but it has been received with
the consideration which the circumstance or It's
coming would warrant-respectful federation.
There seemed to be no urgent need for 1t, but a
disposition has been shown to allow it an OPP
p0rtunity to demonstrate it's usefulness. Doubt
less more 10 expected than should be, but the
public has been assured that it would be the
oity'e savior, and, therefore, the extreme is the
natural result of the exaggerated claims made
for the system. The public, however, seems to
be patiently waiting to see whether it is the
kind of a thing which should be adopted
and taken into the family. The curiosity to
know something of the intentions of the COM
missioners Is therefore pardonable.
"Does the police board intend to make any de-
termined effort to prevent gamblinga" asked a
journal reporter of Mr.. Murphy yesterday after
noon.
awe shall whenever we think the proper time
comes for making movement, but the police
system is not yet settled, and an attempt to do
anything now would be premature. We want
the officers to become familiar with their work,
and to better understand their duties, before
they undertake any such important matter. To
effectually stop gambling will require a cam
paign, and we want to prepare we'll for it
before we enter upon it, We do not intend to
act impulsively, but we shall be cautious and
confident that we are right before we go ahead
We want to thoroughly understand the laws and
know how far we may go in endeavoring to sup
press gambling before make the first move
ment. In short, every preliminary Will first be
decided upon, and we will then proceed to carry
out our own programme. We have just visited
Detroit and Toledo. for the purpose of learning
something of the working OF the metropolitan
systems in those cities. Detroit probably has
the best force in the country, but there they
have not yet been able to entirely suppress
gambling"
In subsequent conversation, Mr.. Murphy said
that the board had been placed under some re-
strant oy the failure of the Council to act de-
cisvely upOn the appropriation for the main
tenance OF the force during the first quarter, and
the commissioners had been given very little en-
eouragement. ain this police work." he said
"we are aching just as we would in partnership
business. We cOnscientlOusly believe that all we
do is for the BEST and there has been perfect
unanimty upon everything the board has done
thus far"
the intentions of the hoard in relation to the en-
forcement of the gambling aud saloon laws
awe have not yet formally considered the
question" he said; ''and things are ir no shape
yet for action We want to consult the officials
of the city government in regard to the laws re-
lating to vicious and illegal practices before we
determine upon doing anything. We want to
know to what extent can go in efforts to
effectually suppress crime, and we want TO know
that our men are in condition to undertake the
work before 1t Is put upon them. We don't
want to make any boast about what we are
going TO do, but want to 40
1t when the proper time comes.
anG the public will then know. The assurance
can he given, however, thatir is the intention
to do something, but the only time that can he
fixed for doing IL is-as soon as practIcable,"
Mr.. Frenzel was interviewed. and when asked
about the boards Intentions regarding gambling,
said:
owe shall certainly endeavor To suppress 1t,
but we can't not hastily about the matter. I
supposed that as soon MS we organized we
could order the closing of all gambling resorts,
and that the order could be enforced mt once ;
but observation has taught me that the thing
must he approached cautiously"
Chow soon do you think the commissioners
will determine upon any acti0n4"
"Well, not before another week, at least"
"Wll the saloon laws be enforeedf
81 don't know"
In addition, Mr.. Frenzel volunteered the state
ment that the assertion that the metropolitan
force would cost $4,000 more a year than the
last force mistake. He claimed that it
would be from ST 900 to $1,000 less, but the
force "a now constituted is not adequate to the
demands, and efficiency would require an in
crease of the number OF patrOlmen.