The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-02-10
Preparing to Do Politics With
the Police
THE REMOVALS TO BE MADE
Twenty Names TO Be Dropped From
the Payrolls Very Soon
The Real Object Of the Change Is 10
Strengthen the Political Machine for
the Republican Conventions

The police department is to be reorgan-
lied, at least that is the plan at present
The reorganization will be effected within
thirty days unless the proposition as it has
been designed is given up by the ruling
powers behind the throne.
The reorganization of the department
along the lines that have been laid down
does not involve any change in so far as
it's head is concerned. The present CHIEF
of police will continue 10 draw all the
emolument attaching to that office, unless
there is AN npheaval of the earth, as long
"a the city council remains as at present
constituted.
The chief of police now in office has
what is known i'll common parlance as
cinch upon his position. There is COM
bination in the council that insnres
police commission which will be distinc-
lively a Glass commission. This COM
bina.on in the council includes several
Democrats. There are five Republicans
there anyway, but there is at least one
Republican councilman if not two who
would very much like to see change in
the head of the police department for the
good of the service.
But the moment the one Republican in
question defects from the Glass COM
bination his place will be taken by one of
the Democratic members. The one Re-
publican in question would be willing at
any time to combine with the four Demo-
cratic members to make a change and
retire Mr.. Glass to the walks of private
life. This combination cannot be effected
for the good and sufficient reason that a
deal has been made whereby if the votes
of the two Democratic councilmen are
ever required to save Mr.. Glass bacon
they are at his command.
-, oil toll az hn
there being any change in the head of the
police department is simply wind.
But the reorganization that is to affect
the subordinates in the police department
will take place if the present program Is
carried out.
The design is to drop about twenty men
whose names are now on the pay roll of the
department and to introduce to an $S3.33
monthly salary some young and middle
aged mon who need the income and whose
services are required at the approaching
Republican primaries and conventions
which are to be held during this beautiful
leap year of 1896.
The ostensible purpose of the reorgan-
sation will be to improve the department
on the ground that new and active men
are required who are not bowed down with
weight of years, bnt who are possessed OF
all the activity of youth and burning
desire to make record as guardians of the
publid peace.
The real purpose of reorganization of the
department is to fortify political machine
which already has an existence, and which
it is expected will cut big figure in Re-
publican conventions this year. The dis
tribution of twenty places among those
who can handle blocks of votes at pri-
maries and conventions will go far to oil
the machine so that it will work satsfac-
torily TO those having it in charge.
Chief Glass and Mayor RAIDER are work
ing in harmony for this reorganization
Chief Glass is as smooth as his name
would indicate. He will not antagonize
the mayor. He submitted on Tuesday las
to his honor the names of thirty-one eff
GERS now on the force with little eXplana
ton after the name of each officer as to
the reason or reasons which could be given
for their names being dropped from the
police pay rolls. These thirty-one names
included Democrats and Republicans, old
men and young men. They were really
men whom it was considered could just as
we'll be dropped and their places given to
others who would bring with them aid and
support for the mayor and the faction oil
the r publican party he is at present work.
ing win.
The reasons given by the chief upon
which grounds for removal could DO based
were multitudnous. For instance, one
officer was charged with being careless
another, with being surly; another, witt
being insulting; another. with talking toe
much; another, with dishonesty; another
with being too hasty, and SO it was witt
all.
1t was not designed when this list of 81
was given to the mayor that they were 3
officers who would go. This 81 name.
were simply supplied by the chief in orde
to post his honor. From this list selections
for decapitation will be made. 1t il
thought that not over 20 places on the lis
are desired. Even the 20 may not ali b:
selected from the list of 81. There ar,
probably some decapitations contemplated
that are not shown on the list of 81.
Mayor RAIDER scanned the list carefully
studied it, kept it "a hours and then re
turned it to the chief of police.
Just when it was expected to start tn
ball a rolling in the way of removals is no
known, but the lime fixed by the presen
program is not far off.
The highest officer of the department
slated for removal is Captain Roberts. II,
has made an efficient officer but his pIac,
is desired for another man who understand
politics better. The captain comes in clos
er touch with the patrolmen than the chic
himself, and for this reason it is desired te
have man there who can do politics with
the eighty patrolmen on The force and who
can handle them to advantage.
MOIINT OWE