Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-04-05
The COMMISSIONERS RETURN
WILL BEGIN REORGANIZING POLICE
FORCE ON WEDNESDAY.
Are Reticent Concerning What They
Intend to Do-Stories in Circula-
tion Concerning Their
Probable Action.

Commissioners Scarritt and Gregory re-
turned to the city yesterday from Chicago.
The latter. who had been in Excelsior
Springs, met Mr.. Scarritt in Chicago. and
together they investigated the record of
Superintendent Thomas n. Vallins. of the
Kansas City branch of the Pinkerton De-
tective agency, whom it was proposed to
appoint chief of police. They also inquired
into the police and detective methods in
use in Chicago and gained considerable in
formation to be used in reorganizing the
police force of this city. Both were very
reticent even to their most intimate friends,
and refused to talk for publication. They
were satisfied with Mr.. Vallins' record,
and declared that he would make an ex-
cellent chief of police. Owing, however. TO
the outcry that has been raised against
him by workingmen, instigated by certain
gang politicians who are endeavoring &c
build up new political machine, the COM
missioners may decide not to appoint him.
One of the commissioners said last night
that the proposed reorganization would be
begun at the meeting to be held next
Wednesday afternoon. By that time they
will have their minds made up as to the
lected the men who will be appointed to
the principal offices on the force.
Some Sf the faction
would not be removed by the commission
ers. They started the story that if he
should be removed 1t would be by the votes
of the mayor and one Of the commissioners.
and that the other commissioner would i'm
mediately forward his resignation to Gov
ernor Stephens. The friends of Commis-
this story. 1t was also said that the de-
cision of Judge Scarritt reinstating Mrs.
Patti Moore as police matron would pre-
and patrolmen who We're slated to go.
Mayor Jones. who still insists that he will
vote for Sergeant Frank F. Snow for chief
of police, will, If a report that is in cir
culation in certain quarters Is true, insist
that fifteen OF the sixteen Republicans who
were summarily discharged from the force
by Messrs. Fyke and johnson while they
were police commissioners be reinstated. 1t
is claimed that these men can recover
under the Scarritt decision the salaries that
they would have received If they had
commissioned. The commissioners, in order
to avoid involving Kansas City in suits for
unearned salaries, will do one of two
things when they desire to get rid of Of
ficerS of the force-give them trials upon
charges to be preferred against them or
reduce them to patrolmen or subordinate
positions. 1t is asserted that the board has
power to raise or lower the rank of any
member of the force or raise or lower the
salaries paid to officers and patrolmen. In
the cases of patrolmen whom it is desired
against them and they will be tried.
At the meeting of the Populist Club yes
terday afternoon at 1117 Walnut street Gov
error Stephens was scored for appointing
Commissioners Scarritt and Gregory with
out obtaining from them pledges to retain
Chief Julian at the head of the police force.
The following resolution was unanimously
adopted:
Resolved. That the Peoples Party Club
views with great regret the proposition of a
police board appointed by Governor Lon "
Stephens, who was elected on a free silver
anti-corporation platform. to appoint as
chief of police of this city nonresident
employe of the hated Pinkerton Detective
agency; and
Resolved. That We protest against such
appointment as against the interest of the
law abiding citizens of this city, and an in
state
A. c. Bell. D. C. Miller and ]. c. l.. Har-
vey were then appointed n committee to
present the resolution to the police board
at its meeting next Wednesday afternoon