Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-12-04

llluJ IL Tic oliCt vi wac iC-
created that officer would have no
more power than a patrOlman. "The
Power is with the City Commission
ers," said the Solicitor. He denied that
politics was mixed up in the affair.
Mr.. Koons asked, after the Commits
sioners voted to elect a Chief and re-
suited in a deadlock, if the ordinance
had not been thought of to get them
over the brow of the hill. Mr. Esgate
denied that that was the true state of
affairs.
Mr.. Koons said. II can not under
stand why the Commissioners can not
agree upon a man for Chief until two
more offices are created.
Mr.. Mason stated that prominent
men in both parties had asked him to
support the ordinance and he believed
it the best thing to do.
Commissioners McMillen took up the
cause for the Board. He said: 1--WE
have been charged with a political
deal. l want to say there is nothing
nit. The principal objection to Chief
Harrison was that he did not get out
on the street enough to see his men,
1t was impossible for him to do so on
account of of his clerical duties. The
creation of these offices, Captain and
Lieutenant, will do away with all this.
There is demand that we do some
thing to better our system. 1t only
adds $3.50 to the expense. 1t is true
that we contemplate the appointment
of additional policemen but that mat
are in better shape"
Mr.. Koons remarked that it was
strange that the Commissioners should
wait several months after Chief Har-
rison was out of office before this was
thought of. Mr.. McNIillen replied that
the reorganization of the Police force
was not new thing to the Commits,
sioners. They had waited until the
Council had seen the necessity of a
better force.
President Fiebeger took the. floor.
He said number of features in the
ordinance were coInmendable. Said
he: ''It does not go far enough. We
must get to the backbone of the mat
ter before we will have an effective or
dinance. The Commissioners ought to
pass resolution that the Chief of PO-
lice be permitted to be in fact, as well
as name. He ought to have the power
to discharge and hire officers. 1t ought
to go farther than that. The Probate
Judge of this county ought to keep his
hands off of municipal affairs. The
law allows him to assist in appointing
the Commissioners. But instead of
stopping there, he has for the last two
years interfered with and demoralized
the condition of the city to the dis
| grace of us all. The ordinance will
lead us to larger force and our funds
will not permit it. A policeman Is
known by the courage he shows at a
time of great trial. We have men
in our force who have shown them
selves to be brave and fearless men.
At the City Building, the night it
was destroyed, there were men there
fighting to protect the city's property.
They were John Goodenberger,
Charles Doerler, Joseph Kempel, Geo.
Wilson, Loupis Mueller. Alva Green
lese, Sherman France, John King and
John Washer. These men have been
tried by fire and proved true to their
trust Others knew Of the mob's pres
ence but they did not show up. The
names slated for the new offices are
not those | have mentioned"
Mr. McMillen Il want to ask Mr..
Febeger how he knows that the Chief
has not the power to act.
Mr. Fiebeger II have been told
by city official in this building that
warrants had been issued to raid
gambling dens and bad houses and the
commissioners had called it off"
Mr. McMillen: at is not true We
never ordered the Chief to do anything
further than to obey the law" At this
point Mr.. McNlillen became emphatic,
and continued: "Your reflections on
the police are uncalled for and I'M
gentlemanly | do not wish to say
anything more"
Mr.. Fiebeger: 'Is not that" point
ing in the direction of the ruins of the
old city building, "a monument to
somebody's criminal negligence?"
Mr.. McMillen: Were you there do
ing your duty?"
Mr.. Fiebeger: "Did you ever know
me to enlist as a soldler?"
Mr.. McMillen admitted that he had
not and the heated discussion cooled
off.