The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-01-16
POLICE ARE
IN SUSPENSE.
Anxiety as to the Next
Move on the Municipal
Checker Board.
PatrOIman Frank Jeffers Was
Relieved From Duty Last
Evening.
OTHER SUSPENSIONS IN PROSPECT
Another Conference Is Being Held This After
noon-ProbabiIity Of a Reorganization
Of the Force.
OTHER SUSPENSIONS IN PROSPECT

dim, indistinct haze hovers over the
brick edifice on North Main street where
criminal justice is administered. II has
assumed no distinct form, and to many is
not noticeable, but the fog-like cloud il
! there just the same. Every time there is
change in the administration of the city
rumors are started reform in various de-
partments OF the city government and the
one first discussed Is the police force. This
year the rumors started as usual but moth
ing definite resulted until the Mayor took
hand and called council of war.
The first result OF this conference was
the suspension and virtual dismissal OF
officer William McCusker, and this action
was followed yesterday by the suspension
of Officer Frank Jeffers. Regarding the
first suspension, the facts have been so
thoroughly discussed as to be of little in
terest. Regarding the latter, 1t may be
said that causes affecting the first were the
cluse of the latter. A report to the effect
that the officer had sought legal aid, and
afterwards changed his mind and rendered
his resignation could not be confirmed
this afternoon.
This afternoon another meeting OF the
Mayor, Chief Of Police and the Joint
| Standing Committee on Police of the City
| Council was held to discuss the situation
more fully than was done at the last meet
| ing. 1t Is generally believed that the
| names of other men on the force will come
| up for discussion, and interesting develop
ments may be expected very shortly.
| I'm an interview with a reporter of THE
| EVENING TRIBUNE this morning, man
well known to the members of the various
city departments as having faculty of
stating coming events I'm just about the
way they happen, said: "My opinion may
not be worth much, but indications all
point to shake-up OF some kind in the
police department. 1t has been coming
for some time and the events of the last
few days have brought 1t to a head.
think"
"Before the new administration the
Chief was so situated that he could not
move freely and did not care to antagonize
officials high in the confidence of the
city government, for the reason that 1t
would have caused no end of trouble and
interfered with the performance Of his
duty. Now that he has the Mayor behind
him In needed reform movements / think
there will be changes in the personnel and
dicipline of the force more or less pro-
nounced. 1t would not surprise me, in
fact shall be rather astonished, IL the
police department is not re-organized be-
fore the spring comes"
In his conversation with various people
regarding the matter the reporter heard
enough gossip and scandal to fill the en-
tire paper. Among the interesting news
derived from this source was the fact that
another member of the force would be sus-
pended at roll call this evening and the
conduct of two others was being investi-
gated.
Applications for positions on the force
have already been received by the Mayor
and the political wires will begin to hum
as soon as the politicians find out the d.
rection of the wind. II Is not thought
that the Mayor will pay such attention to
seekers for Office that come thus endorsed,
however. In the meantime, to all intents
and purposes the municipal sea Is quiet,
and small cloud in the distant horizon Is
fhe only indication of the anticipated
storm.