Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-03-19
AN INTERVIEW WITH CHIEF
GODFREY

The city of Merrill is conducted IN
model manner with reference to gam
bling, saloon closing, houses of bad re-
pute' etc. therefore Merrilrs reputa
ton in this respect is excellent.
Last Saturday John Godfrey, Merrilfs
efficient chief of police, was in the city
securing evidence against two women
of shady character, who had been ar
rested in his city and whom he wished
to get out of the town. He subpoenaed
three witnesses who will go to Merrill
tomorrow morning.
The editor of this paper took occasion
to ask MIR. Godfrey a few questions
while here and the answers given,
showed him to be the right man in the
right place The following is the short
interview had with him:
"Mr. Godfrey, do you as chief of po-
lice. allow any gambling in your city,"
mo, so far as myself and force can
prevent it. do not know of a p place
where gambling is carried on in Mer-
rlll. Orders are to the saloon keepers
and others that the laws in this regard
will be enforced to the letter."
"Do you allow slot machines to RUM"
"No, sir. There isn't slot machine
in operation in our city. 1t is a pernic
ious species of gambling and does more
to start young man on the downward
road than anything | know OF.
"Do you allow picture slot machines
to operate in your city,"
Not one. They are even worse than
the gambling slot machines. 1t is said
that in about all of your saloons there
are obscene picture machines in opera
ton. The man who set them up, or a
man representing the same concern, set
up four in Merrill [ found ont that
the pictures were obscene and it was
against the law to expose them to view,
so took charge of all of them, and it
cost the fellow 5000 for his disregard of
the law Those pictures are very de-
moralizing and disgrace to town al
lowing them to exist within its con-
fines"
"Of course, Mr. Godfrey, you allow
saloons to remain open all night and on
Sundays in your city,"
''NOt at all. Saloons close promptly
at II clock midnight, and part of the
Sabbath day. None of our saloon keep
ers violate this law. find saloon clos
ing at midnight to be very helpful to a
city in keeping good order and also
morally"
"WiSh you would give me your idea
Va !" hoo 10 IhO NUCJ u o. POiiNN AOANO VI
city,"
"Well, it is pretty hard to define this
for most cities have different things to
contend with. One thing, the laws
should be enforced as laid down by the
ordinances, but judgment should be
used. A violation of some law by mis-
take or ignorance can be excused, but
a repetition should be summarily dealt
with. The use of liquor by any of a
force should not be thought of, nor
should they be allowed to frequent
saloons. A chief should dot drink in
toxicants or allow those under him to
do so. In short the citizens expect
their police force to enforce the laws
without fear or favor, and that is my
idea of the matter"
'In starting out as chief did you wait
for citizens to make complaints against
gambling, saloon closing, houses of i'll
fame. etc, before taking action, or did
you think it was your duty to start in
enforcing the laws at once?"
Il felt it my duty to enforce the laws
without waiting for anybody, though I
want to say right here that | do not set
myself up as a model chief, by any
means, and really don't care for any pub
LEFTY"
We must say that we found Mr. God
frey to be very much of gentleman,
and one who goes about his business
modestly but with determination.