The evening times., 1900-02-06

J. Arthur Kemp. Property Clerk Of the
Police Department, is at present busily
engaged completing arrangements for the
annual police sale OF all unclaimed proper
ty in his possession. The sale will begin
on February - at the auction rooms OF
James W. Ratcliffe. aud viii continue until
all the property is disposed OF. The pro-
ceeGs Of the sale will be turned over 10
the police fund. and judging from the
amount OF property 20 be disposed Of. and
its quality, a good sum viii probably be
realized.
The various articles which VIII be
offered for sale include almost every thing
imaginable that might be found OF con-
fscated. with the exception of firearms
or other dangerous weapons. There are any
number Of watches from the open face
nickel variety to the gold hunting case
imepiece. There are gentlemen's watches,
ladies' watches. and small timepieces for
children. There are rings OF every variety,
including those set with diamonds and
other precious stones; all kinds Of watch
chains. earrings. charms, breastpins.
bracelets, searfpins, and trinkets OF every
variety.
Umbrellas, fur, and feather boas and col-
lars. OvercOats. muffs. shoes. and even
bolts Of silks, satin and wooden goods, are
included in the collection. In addition.
there are sets OF harness. table ware. bi-
cycles, and many other articles too numer-
Gus 10 mention. Mr. Kemp is at present
compiling a catalogue Of the various arti-
cles TO be disposed Of and expects to have
it completed within day or two. These
catalogues viii be distributed for the bene-
ft Of those who attend the sale.
The property 10 be sold at auction has
been in the custody OF Mr.. Kemp for at
least a year. some of 1t was found by
members OF the police force and by citi-
zens and turned in, awainting a claimant
while gOodly portion OF il was re ov-
cred from persons arrested. The law re-
quires that all articles turned INTO the
property clerk be held for six molths
before IL is disposed Of. At the expiration
Of that time il can. be sold az pubic auc-
uon, and the owner who makes claim has
no redress. Mr.. Kemp never exercises his
prerCgatiye, however. nntil-a year clap ses
from the date the property coniv5 into his
possession. His idea Il to allow ample time
for all persons from whom property has
been taken to make claim for it. All the
property to be sold on the 18th Of this
month. tnerefOreS has been in custody at
least one year.
In cases where honest citizens find prop
erty in the street and other places and
turn il i'm TO the police they are advised
that in the event 81 is not claimed within
six months they may on application get
possession Of it, In many instances the
finder returns al the expiration of the stip-
ulated period and i'm the event that the
property has not been claimed IL is turned
over to him. 1t often happens. however.
that finder never returns 20 claim what
Is lawfully his property al the expiration
OF the six months and Mr.. Kemp is then
al liberty TO dispose of il al public auction.
such property is only a small portion Of
that which comes into the custody OF Mr.
Kemp as the greater portion Of IL is re-
covered from persons arrested. Sometimes
property taken from a prisoner TightfulIy
belongs 10 him and at the expiration Of
his sentence or when his case is disposed
OF he makes demand for IL or has home
relative or friend DO so for him.
The one class OF property which Mr.
Kemp must dispose Of yet which he can
not sell. is limited 10 what are known as
concealed weapons. They include. OF
course, revolvers. dangerous knives. dirks,
daggers. sword canes. etc. The police
claim that il is hardly right to arrest and
fine nerson who carries concealed
weapon, confscate the property. and then
again put IL on the market 10 invite viO-
lations Of law. For that reason concealed
weapons are not sold at the annual aUc-
tion. Instead they are destroyed. At
present Mr.. Kemp has a large collection Of
weapons which. II put up for sale. would
realize a good sum, but which he viii. al
a later date, destroy and then throw into
[ he river