Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-23
THE MAYORS OPINION.
The Law Requires Chief Brown to
Close DiSorderly Houses.
COUNCILS CAN COMPEL him TO.
Els Honor and the Chief Fave long In
tervieW on the subject
RUMORs THAT TIE PLACES WILL CLOSE

Mayor Gourley yesterday read City At
torney Moreland's opinion as to the powers
of the Mayor and the duties of Chief Brown
relative to the suppression OF disorderly
houses. Immediately aiterward he had a
long interview with Chief Brown. What
transpired during the conference neither OF
the gentlemen would tell, but the fact that
they spent so much time together, and on
parting familiarIy addressed each other by
their first names, was taken as evidence
they had reached an understanding. 1t was
even reported that Chief Brown had prom
ised the Mayor to close all disorderly houses
before the 1st of January, but the Chief
himself said he had done nothing OF the
kind.
What the Mayor intends to do In the
matter no one knows. He does not know
himself Yesterday morning he thought OF
submitting to Councils all the letters, opln-
ions and other communications received or
written by him within the past month on
the disorderly house question.
The Mayor Still Undecided.
After the interview with Chief Brown he
was undecided about it. This led to the
belief that the Chief had made some kind
of promise which had changed the Mayors
plans.
When asked what he thought Of Major
Moreland's opinion, the Mayor said: ut
is very exhaustive document, longer than
necessary, 1 think, but on the essential
question of the Chief of the Department OF
Public Safety's duty under the charter is
explicit enough. 1t differs with the
opinion of Assistant City Attorney Fetter-
man on the same point, though am told
Mr.. Fetterman and all the city's attorneys
were in consultatation on Mr. Moreland's
opinion and unanimously approved it. AS
I read the document it says the charter act
empowers the Chief to enforce the ordi-
nances relating to this subject and then
goes on to tell what is meant by the word
empowers" used in this sense. Its mean
ing is mandatory according to Mr.. More
land, but in Mr.. Fetterman's opinion 1t
was discretionary. Mr.. Moreland says
Chief Brown has no alternative but to OBJ
serve the laws governing his department,
and that the word empower" means must
A Question of Interpretation.
cit has been decided long ago that where
in a piece of legislation the word may
occurs it means must am prepared to
agree with the City Attorney on that point
am satisfied it is Chief Browns duty, and
there is nothing to prevent his enforcing the
law relative to disorderly houses, admitting
the defects in the charter act which the
Majo calls attention to. -,
'To-day am not fully prepared to say
what shall do. 1t is probable that will
submit the whole question to Councils with
a communication stating nv position, i'll
write such letter I will make myself
understood"
''What could Councils do in the matter?"
was asked.
Councils could do great deal. What
they will do 1 cannot say. They could
pass resolution which would effectually
dispose of the matter, as the City Attorney
says they are the only authority over Chief
Brown"
"Will you rest content with the City At
torney's opinion as to your rights and
duties?"
f"That cannot say. 1t will depend
largely on circumstances.