Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-05-22
Defends SECRECY.

EDlroR HERALp-l WAS member OF
OF the board OF police and fire CON-
mlssloners for several years, and ! re-
tain warm interest in the board, and
the departments under Its control, as
indeed all good citizens must, VINO
have the best interests OF the city at
heart. No other branch OF our local
government is of greater Importance.
and mono moro directly affects the
we'll being of the individual citizen,
than that which is in charge of this
board. The preservation OF peace and
good order. and the protection oil life
and property, depend upon the efh-
cheney OF the two departments; and
that i'll turn depends upon the wise and
harmonious action of the board. Upon
reading the proceedings of tho board
at Fridays meeting, 1t recalled to me
the criticisms Of the press made some
years ago about the purportcd secret
sessions Of the board. Many people
then - now were under the impress
sion that all the business Of the board
was dono In secret SESSIONS. This is
q mistake, as most Of the bueiness
of the board has always been done in
open session, 60 far as my experience
goes, and am informed that it 10 done
the same now. Since that time there
has been very little discussion by the
newspapers about the secret sessions Of
the board until now. Aud l am sur
prised that any one would voluntarily
lend their aid in lauding the sayings
and actions OF what appears to be
disturbing element IN the personnel OF
the board. This element seems to be
bent upon preparing bombs with which
to destroy the harmony AMI usefulness
of the board, and the discipline of the
departments under their control. The
course Of some OF the members of the
board Is unaccountable to me, except
on the theory that they wish TO destroy
the efficiency OF the board and the
departments.
This condition Of affairs is indeed
deplorabIe. At the time the board was
first installed with authority to take
charge OF the reorganization and man.
agement of the police and fire depart
ments, the departments were both in
state of chaos and q dIscredit to our
city. The board, then composed en-
tirely Of business men, grsppled with
this condition of affairs, and after
months and years Of incessant work
tho departments we're brought from
their chaotic condition to a condition
of excellence which has been the pride
of our citizens and taxpayers for
several years past. And now
to realize that q disturbing element
has made its appearance in the board,
but for the existence of which there
would be but little need for police pro-
lection, it Dehooyes every good citizen
TO stand by law and order, and the
means of perpetuating cannot bs
silent and see the public mind poisoned
against the board and its work under
the assumption that all the business of
the board was done in secret,
when in fact, only short time
of the session, during which matters Of
diclpline and that relating to detective
work, are only considered in secret.
The other business has always been
transacted in open session. It seems
to me that any man who has the best
interests of the departments and the
city at heart, must agree that some Of
the business of the board absolutely re-
quires to be done in secret session.
will venture the assertion that no city
in this country, of any consequence,
which has efficient police and fire de-.
partments can he named that does nCA
conduct some of its business pertaining
to these departments in secret session.
WILLIAM n. Powers.