The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-12
NOW PROBING TIE POLICE
Interesting Testimony Brought Ont
at Philadelphia's lex0w.
TESTIMONY or Mr.. GIBBONEY
lie Claims That Detectives OF tho Law
and Order Society Have discovered
Policemen In Uniform Drinking In
Saloons and Speak = Easies.

Philadelphia, Dec. 11-The senatorial
committee to investigate the municipal
mismanagement of the city resumed
its sessions this afternoon and line or
inquiry was begun that promises to be
more prolific Of developments Of abuses
Of the good of the community than has
been brought out. To-day for the first
time the probe was inserted into the
workings Of the police department and
from the little way 1t entered there
would seem to be much rottenness in
that part of the city government.
When the session of the committee
began, the investigation into the sys-
tenn Of lighting the city by contracts
with private electric light companies
was resumed. Nothing particularly
new was developed.
At the conclusion Of the testimony
bearing upon the lighting Of the streets,
Silas W. Petit, counsel for the Cit
izens' Municipal association, addressed
the committee and stated that he pro-
posed to lead the inquiry into an in
vestigation of the police department.
Mr.. Petit asserted that the police con-
nive at the maintainence Of Illicit sa-
looms, policy shops, dives and such
places. He further asserted that the
keepers Of these places and the police
terrorize respectable citizens who wish
the abolishment of them. and he asked
that the committee protect with its full
power against persecution by the police
all witnesses who might testify before
1t in regard to these matters. Mr..
Petit also charged that the police. in
direct defiance of the law under which
the city is governed. are obnoxiously
active In politics, and he said that
after he had presented his evidence that
the committee would undoubtedly rec
ommend In its report to the legislature
some legislation bearing directly on this
subject.
Mr. Gibboney's Testimony.
d. c. Gibboney, secretary of the law
and order society, was called Mr.. Glib
boney testified that the particular OBJ
ject Of the society was the suppression
Of Illicit saloons and disorderly licensed
places. The witness spoke in the most
favorable terms of the support and aid
extended the society's work by Direc-
tor of Public Safety Beitler and Super
intendent Of Police Linden. He also
said that their efforts had been honest
ly seconded by some Of the police lieu
tenants and patrolmen, but that in a
majority Of the police districts are ac-
tive defenders of speak easies'' and
dive saloons. He told Of how detect
ives Of the society have frequently seen
policemen in full uniform drinking in
speak easies" and saloons, and how,
when they got dive saloon proprietor
into court for keeping disorderly
house. he is frequently cleared through
the testimony of policemen.
Mr.. Gibboney also scored the police
board before which policemen are tried
for offences unbecoming an officer. The
board consists of the police captains,
and Mr.. Gibboney said that he had de-
termined never to make charge
against an officer to It again, as in al
most every case the accused had gone
free or gotten off with light fine Mr..
Gibboney had not concluded his testi-
mony when the committee adjourned
| until tomorrow.