The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-03
INFORMATION WANTED
MIR. TAGGART CANNOT SEE THE
OPEN SALOONS on SUNDAY,
And Asks for Few Tips to Assist
Doubt and Crepe In the Darkness.

The police officers are somewhat dsor-
ganized at present because they do not
know what is expected OF them concerning
the enforcement of the liquor laws. They
have read the utterances of Mayor Taggari
urging a strict enforcement, yet they find
Saloon men violating the law in quiet
manner, as IL with assurance of protection.
Many of the patrolmen have been given to
understand by saloon law violators that
everything is all right, and have been
threatened with dismissal if arrest is
made. AS an inducement to the patrolmen
for strict enforcement OF the liquor law
they have as a horrible example a score Of
policemen thrown off the force for a faith
full performance of duty. A policeman who
runs in the western. part OF the city said
to the Journal:
II could fill the station house any Sunday
with saloon law yiolators."
why don't you do it," was asked.
Eyes, and lose my buttons. Look at the
fellows that were fired. Every one of them
enforced the law. am on to my job.
One great thing which has thrown the
patrolmen in a quandary is an order from
superintendent Colbert TO the effect that
no saloon law violator be arrested without
first consulting him. Mr.. Colbert states
that such was the order Of Mr.. Powell. Mr..
Colbert has copy of any such order, so
he says, but he understands such an order
was given. AS remembered by the police
the order related 10 arrests upon techni-
calities of the Nicholson law. The general
order was to arrest all violators of the
eleven-o' clock and Sunday provisions of the
law.
The police now have to consult Mr.. Col
bert before making an arrest. If they dis
cover an open violation all evidence has dis
appeared before they can obtain the APP
prevail of the chief. Frequently the men are
told not to make an arrest. but embody the
complaint in the report and If necessary
warrant will be procured. 1t frequently
happens that nothing is heard after the
reports have been made on such cases, and
the policemen wonder why and naturally
are puzzled and consider Ii needless to go
ahead the next time. An officer who runs
the center" or did run it few days ago.
law. He entered the annex saloon and de-
manded of the proprietor what was meant
by the illegal sale. The reply was:
Like h I'll close. / was closed this
morning and went down to Mr.. Taggart's
place. where got a drink. If the Mayor
can violate the law I can. and if you want
the worst racket this town has seer for a
long ga tim nn,;osn,.n ), telling tho story s.,a
he did not know whether the story was
true and he dared not arrest the man.
He reported supposed violation to head
quarters and was told to make no arrest.
Mr.. Taggart was asked yesterday If he
were satisfied that the saloons are obeying
the laws.
"All the information given me leads me to
believe they are. If you know of any place
where the law is being violated l wish you
would let me know
"One saloon man declares he can violate
the law, for you are doing so at your place.
NOW. that is a mistake. / will discharge
any man connected with my place who vio-
lates the law. The saloon man who made
that statement did not speak the truth"
Certain members OF the police force are
afraid to proceed against saloon law vio-
lators for fear of being discharged. Is there
any cause for this?'
None whatever j have given out en-
phatically that the laws must be enforced
l mean it. No policeman need fear dis
charge for arresting law-breaking saloon
keeper Any officer making such an arrest
and making his case will stand in no danger
of discharge. but shall be commended for
his work. Such a saloon keeper shall be
fined and IL he continues he shall receive
a workhouse sentence, and on a second
conviction / will revoke his license as the
law requires. l am in earnest about this
matter. and If any policemen or saloon
keepers think | am joking they are sadly
mistaken. The policeman who knows the
law is being violated and does not act is
in greater danger than the policeman who
goes ahead and enforces the law"