Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-07
BROWN COMES BACK,
The Safety Chief InyOkes the
Law to Answer Mayor
GOurley'S Letter.
THE WORK OF THE POLICE
Is Pointed to With Pride by the
Head of the Department
HIS HONOR ASKED TO NAME A TINE
For Moving Against the DisOrderly Houses
of the City.
THE WORK OF THE POLICE
HIS HONOR ASKED TO NAME A TINE
For Moving Against the DisOrderly Houses
of the City.
JUDGE FETTERMAN WRITESON THE LAW


the city is still on. Chief Brown last night
fred another shot in the controversy and
while the struggle is prolonged the evil
complained of flourishes substantially as it
existed before the conflict was inaugurated.
chief Browns letter is long one. 1t was
not completed when the Mayor left his
office at o'clock in the afternoon. Almost
Immediately after the Mayor left for his
home Superintendent of Police O'Mara
called upon the Chief Executive with Mr.
Browns letter carefully sealed in large
double column envelope. Learning that
the Mayor had Just left the head of the po-
lice department started on a run out into
the street. He hesitated b moment at the
City Hall steps, as If figuring out which
direction the Mayor had taken. Just then
patrolman saluted and assured the Super
intendent that the Mayor had gone in the
direction of Sixth avenue. In that direction
Mr. O'NIara again started on swift run.
At Seventh avenue he overlook the Mayor,
handed him the letter, and without word
wheeled about and returned to his Office.
"What did the Mayor say when you
handed him the letter." was asked the Su-
perintendent
eve did rot speak," Mr. O'Mara an
swered. "His Honor was surprised and I
was out of breath
The Position of the Chief
Chief Browns letter, with an opinion
from e1-Judge Fetterman, now Assistant
City Attorney and special attorney for the
Department of Public Safety is appended:
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY,
PITTsBURG, PA. Dec. e. {
Hon. II. I. Gourley. Mayor, City of Pittsburg:
DEAR SIR-In answering your communica-
ZION of December 1 would most respect
5ulIy call your attention, first, 10 some of
The facts, conditions and situations sur
rounding the police department upon the
ur-anization OF the Department of Public
safety and upon my assuming charge
thereof
SecOnd-The policy of the Bureau of Po-
lice tHat has been in operation ior the past
five years and the law under which said pol
icy has been continued as understood by
tais department and is expounded by the
legal department A copy OF the opinion of
the Hon. ex-Judge Fetterman, now special
attorney for this department, is hereto at
tached and made part of this communion
rfon 10 Your Honor.
Third-The Judgment and belief of the
superintendent of Police and myself based
upon our practical experience and close OBJ
seryation OF our attempts to control, re-
stricr, regulate and enjoin the peculiar and
particular vice complained Of
FoGrth-Our willingness to honestly and
enerzetically carry out and carry into effect
any change or new policy that Your Honor
may deem wise, eXpedient and to the best
interest Of the city to inaugurate.
What the Dep ,rtment Has Done.
As to the first proposition: What was the
condition and situation of affairs surround
in- the Police Department at the organiza-
r-on OF the Department of Public Safety?
Your Honor, as municipal officer, being
President OF Select Council for many years,
and being intimately associated with mu-
-icipal affairs and those in authority al City
Hail, has undoubtedly personal knowledge
AID remembrance of the conditions sur
laundiuE the Police Department prior to the
--anization of the Department OF Puollc
-4Letv. rs well as since that date. need
only refer to a few facts:
The city was infested with faro banks,
which were openly operated in various Sec
r.uns OF the cirv. Poker rooms were numer
ms and notorious in all sections-Diamond
Icy being almost entirely gwen up to the
aUEeT player and gambler. The pool seller
-arried on his operations in various sections
HTrae e CITY, having direct lines OF communi-
,arion by wire with all the principal cities
chances were taken on sporting events OF all
ziuas and character; and in the lawsuit
which this department had with the pool
-eIers it was proven that thousands OF per-
.ous had no other visible means of support
han the pool room. Policy shops infested
very ward and section of the city, there be-
u-- 40 less tuau s. well known policy shops
the city At that time. These games were
.-ferel in all sections OF the city; policy
.ufnbers Mere solicited even from children
and chances as low as two for five cents
a fn faS fnd aN-n of
.c city. Whole blocks, such as the Mus
rave building, were given up entirely to
he nc.ariOUs business. Beer gardens
-nouuded, fIeQuented by common prosti-
.utes and street-walkers.
Dives That Have Been Suppressed.
Other outrageous dens and joints existed,
1.ch as 'Oyster Paddy's Block" dive of Bill
Terron. the Tanbark Yard on Seventh ave-
me. operated by Young McGraw, opium
9ints on Grant street. houses OF prostitu-
5on run by men, Old avenue scenes and
rater street dens. These are only a sample
. the widespread vice OF this character.
Whole wards were terrorized by lawless
9gvdics. notably the Seventh, being over
I'M bv the neiarious "Owl Gang" who
rIcd almost supreme, IN violation of all
wand order: the intermingling of white
I'd blacks. as carried on in State alley.
Il vas openly charged that some of the
-sr administrations levied toll on the
aruDlers, prOprietors OF pool rooms, policy
IONS and houses OF prostitution, and that
sgu1e was collected in large sums, and
nav there were many, many cases of out
Icons blackmail. There seemed to be no
der or enforcement of the law or munich
al re5ulation so far as public affairs were
1ucerned 1t is true that the common
runkard was arrested, nneo ana lmpris-
apd. but the outrageous vices which af-
.rteu the body corporate were not inter
red with or molested.
Under the vigorous policy of the present
,Ifre bureau. Your Honor is aware that
ere is no faro bank, poker room, pool
som, policy shop, tenement house orgies,
aer Garden, ali-night saloon, Sunday sa-
50u or opium ], int. As to the dives them
Ives IS houses OF prostitution had alluring
nj +emDtinr tobacco stores in 'front.' Street
-oIl-fnsr was a feature of the town, the young
I'D weak being enticed and inveigled into
Sc dens in every conceivable manner,
7gne and form, by music, song and dance
Inc sfuns we're on many OF the avenues
owing distinctively and clearly the char
o+.r N the houses and of the business car
81 ON therein and thereat. These are all
Dated. abolished and are no more.
The Policy of the Department.
secoDd-As to the law and policy of the
arartment. Upon the organization of this
spartment, assisted by the Hon. C-4rence
urleigh. now District Attorney of Allie
leny county, then special attorney of this
.partment, the policy of the department
a. clearly outlined, both as TO law and
cts The Interpretation placed upon the
rrbfs denartment to wit: Section q, page
g. Thompson's Digest, when DeheVe TO
the Ia y. was tnat said section was dis
.etionary ordinance and not mandatory
e. And this opinion IS concurred in by
on. Charles 5. Fetterman, now Assistant