The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-03-30
THE ARMY AND THE POLICE
A COMMITTEE CALLS ON TIE
ATTORNEY GENERAL.
The Latter Makes Assurance That the
Army is Not Being Disseminated
Against Nor Prosecuted.

A committee consisting of Rev. G d.. L.
Pearson, Rev. William NJ. Kincaid
Rev. Harry Brown, j. b. Atherton, A.
f. Cooke, Major Wood of the Salvation
Army, H. e. Coleman and j. NJ. Webb
called on Attorney General Cooper yes
terday afternoon to complain of what
they insisted was discrimination
against and persecution of the Saliva
ton Army in its open air meetings, and
particularly in it's meetings held on
Hotel street, near Fort.
On different nights for a week past
the police i'm carrying out the policy and
orders of the department to keep The
sidewalks ard streets free and clear
TO traffic, have done acts which the
committee which called on the attorney
general characterized as discrimination
against the Army. Rev. Kincaid was
especially strong in his Characterization
OF it, declaring, it is reported, why
should we have to fight out this battle
mere, battle which has been fought
and won in almost every city of the
United States and England. If this per-
secutton or discrimination against the
army is not prevented, we shall have to
call mass meeting against the police
department, and the police department
will have to go right to the wall against
public sentiment. The whole Christian
community is behind us in this move
ment. This is a question of whether
we are going to be allowed our re,ig-
ious liberties, for it touches upon them.
What affects one body of Christians af-
fects the entire Christian community.
If we have got to fight out this battle
for religious liberty, it is a question of
whether this kind of work is going to
be allowed to go in the public streets of
Honolulu. If there is any question
about it we can begin an agitation at
once"
Attorney General Cooper replied hat
he thought Mr. Kincaid and the other
members of The committee were assum-
ing facts which did not exist. No orders
which could be construed as discrmi-
nation or persecution had been issued
by the department, and he personally
had great admiration for the Army and
its work. All orders issued had been
in pursuance of the policy required by
the law and approved by the Cabinet
for keeping the sidewalks and streets
clear for the public.
Mr. AthertOn thought there had been
OVerzealOusness shown by some of the
native police officers, "They probably
nave received orders to keep the side
walks clear; they interpret these in
structions that the sidewalks must be
kept as clear of persons as they can
be, and a man found on the sidewalk
is an obstruction and must be removed.
My idea of obstruction is where it
would be difficult to push or get
through a crowd. That whole sidewalk
was swept clear of all persons and no
one was allowed to stand anywhere on
the sidewalk. 1 saw men, women and
children moved right along"
The Attorney General assured the
committee that there had been no dis
elimination or persecution on the part
of the department, nor would there be
any. AS to the particular acts com
planned of, he would make full investi-
cation. The committee Withdrew,
thanking the Attorney General for his
courtesy.