New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-01
CHAPMAN NOT UPHELD,
THE POLICE BOARD TAKES ACTION IN
THE RECENT ARRESTS
CHIEF CONLlN DIRECTED TO PREFER CHARGES
AGAINST ANY POLICEMAN WHO PERJuRED
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. CONDEMNED
AND OFFICERS ORDERED NOT
TO MAKE NEWSPAPER
STATEMENTS,

AND OFFICERS ORDERED NOT
TO MAKE NEWSPAPER
STATEMENTS
MOST OF the time Of the Police Board. at its
meeting yesterday, was devoted to discussion
OF captain Chapman and his remarkable crusade
against women in the Tenderoin precinct The
subject was raised by the reading Of a letter
from Bolton Hall. the lawyer who wrote to the
Board protesting against Chapman's methods,
and urging that the evidence against any woman
arrested should he beyond question Mr. Hall
called attention to the fact that Magistrate Kud-
Itch had rebuked policemen for swearing to a
crime which they did not see committed In
another instance. Mr.. Hall says the Magistrate
was reported as saying that the policeman
had sworn to an allegation which he had
no reason to believe was true. II the Mag
istrate was correct Mr. Hall said. perjury had
been committed by the policemen, and he, as
citizen. would make formal complaint against
Policemen Lazenbee. King and Devoe. who
made the statements
The letter read and filed without comment
but President Moss. who was plainly wrought up
on the subject Of Captain Chapman and his re-
cent work. Immediately afterward offered the
following resolutions:
Resolved. That the Chief of Police IS hereby in
siructed TO notify precinct commanders OF Inc
terms OF the law which defines that phase OF dis
orderly conduct called nightwaking. to wit
ne orr n in OR or pc pace
for the purpose of prostitution or solicitation TO the
notifying them to instruct the officers or their
be arrested unless they violate said provision.
Resolved That the Chief of Police is hereby d.
arrest Of Annie schiabic, Emily iessker and others
recently charged win dsordsry c9nduGt and dis,
Court. with view Of Determining, T.. whether the
against the accused. and especially whether they
charged them with being common prostitutes
them: and that he prefer charges against any
officer who may be found guilty also that n" imi
women. and ascertain whether any OF them were
instruct subordinate officers OF the police force
that they must not make newspaper or other pub
ces in dealing with vice and crime. the duty Of
iber pcrson9l opnons Of RI" aws but rather 10
enforce them fairly discreety and faithfuny
All these resolutions adopted. but the
resolution regarding statements by police Of
fcials was amended to take in all the members
of the force. including the Chief
Mr. Moss. after presenting the resolutions.
made a long speech In reference to them. only
last Wednesday Commissioner Andrews and |
publicly disowned any responsibility for this
policy" he said. "anl declared that spasfnodic
and dramatic raids women while no effective
attack was made on their resorts and the places
where they operate could be productive Of no
good. Notwithstanding this announcement. the
policy of Captain Chapman continued. and
IT has been stated that respectable women were
greatly alarmed by these arrests tThese cir
cumstances led me to make an investigation |
do not believe that the method Of making the
arrests has been materially different from the
methods that have been in operation for years.
But there was n sensationalism in the arrange
ments Of making the arrests. have condemned
the policy Of captains who have arrested iars"
numbers Of prostitutes. but who have not pi'-
ceeded effectively against disordcrly houses. |
personally called Captain Chapman attention 10
such n place the Standard. at Seventh-aY". ana
Twentv-nfth-si.." said Mr.. Moss. He conceded
its character but accomplished nothing. Super
intendent Burr Of the Society for the Prevention
Of Crime made n successful case against the
From, dealing with the Tcndcrloin. Mr. Moss
went on To talk about the habit - all captains
on the force. although the rules required thcm
10 make reports Of suspicious houses to the
Chief weekly. to report habitually thai there
were no suspicious houses. although IN con-
vcrsatlon they would willingly admit that such
houses existed In their precincts. "Nearly all
these reports are false" said Mr. Moss. 'Thes"
places are opening right along. yet the captains
do nothing only the Deputy chief has "A way
OF acting effectively, and he should he con
graduated
Commissioner Parker defended Captain Chap
man and Mr. Moss admitted that tn captain
mad done good work 81 times. The discussion
finally ended with the passing ~ the following
resolution:
The chief OF Police l. hereby instructed to direct
the comma ndcrs OF precincts. when making th"lr
reports Of suspicious plac to specify every place
be-. a gambling house pooiroom. policy shop house
Of prostitution. house Of ns-iEntton. dlsord"rly
house or place whore any law or ORDNANCE Is Ia
btually and frequently violated.
The Board dismissed The charges Of intimlda-
ton and oxtprtiou .Iad" against Mr. Peterson,
the complaint .'ark. awarded medal 10 B-
cycle Policeman Daniel r Bnrsl for bravery IN
STOPPING "A runawn" team. and received a report
from Deputy chief Corit'rht relative To Mayor
Strong's suggestion that the city ordinances
SHOULD Ice amended - GLOW tn" carrying Of
goods across the sidewalks downtown at GER
tain hours 81 the Pay. Tho Deputy chief report
ed that he could not recommend any regula-
tions with n view TO the amendment ~ the ordi
Lance for the reason that the obstruction Of
sidewalks was regulated 10y statute. nor did IL
seem to him that IN Board 81 Aldermen had any
authority to attempt such regulation by ord-