The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-29

a WIN and a Way.

Those who read the statements OF the
chief OF police made yesterday and the
reply Of the mayor to the committee OF
the Chamber of commerce-and we hope
every citizen OF Seattle may read them
carefully--will not be at a loss to under
stand the situation. 1t is not way TO
remedy existing conditions that must be
sought. II IN the will to. do It. That be-
ing furnished. the rest accomplishes IT.
self. That being absent. we are sure to
have an abundance OF explanations that
do not explain. and Of promises SO care
fully worded that they may be fulfilled
without throwing the slightest hindrance
in the way OF rampant crime
seattle is no worse than other cities"
Is a stale cry We're It true. 1t would
hardly express high idea Of civic duty
or civic pride. But It is not true. unless
the comparison is made with other cities
in the country suffering from the same
paralysis Of executive effort. IT Is quite
proper to draw parallel with New York.
Probably conditions are not any worse
there But New York Is city Of mill
lions, and II Is also the most corruptly
governed city in the world. Even there.
however, the ability to enforce law and
order Is not questioned. When. short
time ago. reform agitation was begun,
the authorities thought to set It at rest
by cleaning up the particular district
complained Of The new captain appoint
ed over II did the work thoroughly. He
shut up places that his predecessor was
unable to discover and demonstrated that
II was only the viii that was wanting.
The same IL true here. No citizen
thinks that the holdups in Seattle are
only about the average number He
knows better. He knows that disorder
and crime are unceasing and that they
have the upper hand He ought to know
why II Is not the patrolmen who are a.
fault Doubtless the police force contains
some members who are inefficient. but as
a whole 1t would be a capital instrument
IN willing hand. The trouble Is higher
up the line. A patrolman can do nothing
contrary to orders. II his superiors do
not want certain men molested. then they
will be let alone. n he has no orders to
close certain places, they will remain
open.
1t is an insult to ordinary intelligence to
talk about more policemen az a remedy
for existing conditions More policemen
were asked for last spring The POST
lnteiiigencer recommended their appoint
ment. believing the force at that time 'nu-
merically insufficient. and hoping also
that the additional men would be used,
as was stated. for protecting the public
and enforcing the laws. The public can
see for itself what. the increase OF the
force amounted TO. II one policeman
passes unlawful resorts daily without
sign, beholds unlawful practices and
shuts his eyes. knows where iawhreakers
congrsgate and Is not at liberty TO dts.
turh them or drive them out OF the city.
what will TIVE do under the same avs
temy An order for an Increase OF the
force. when the whole difieulty lies In the
fac, that the force as II stands Is not Sc.
at work clearing the city Of rascals and
rseraftfx a. ,et . .,c,,.ft..,.... q. a.. -.
usahlc citizens who dld not expect to be
made sport OF when they asked FOR de-
cent municipal government,
The situation Is so simple tina, no one
can possibly mistake II. Every Citizen Of
Seattle knows that he eould Indicate 10
any Of the authorities tomorrow places
where crime revels and laws are broken.
and point out the parties guilty 81 Il.
Every man who has had any aequalns-
anee with police or detective work knows
that crooks and tootpads and bunko mea
are not. exeeP, IN rare cases. new or an
known hands at the job. They form A
well-dehnei social order, they are as wel
known In face and reputation as are the
members Of the prize rtag. and wherever
they eonsregaie there Is mischief brew
ing. When this craft remains a week.
yes hall week. in any city, then one
OF two things is true; either the police
and detective authorities do no, know
them. tn which case they are incompetent.
or they do not wish 10 modest them. ia
which case every man must draw his own
differences as TO the reasons.
This In the whole story OF municipal re.