Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-08-21
LETTER FROM
The MAYOR.

There was a meeting today OF the So
called reform committee Of the Des-
eret Sunday School Union to consider
a letter from Mayor Thompson In an
swer to a communication recently sent
by them to him requesting an enforce
ment Of the ordinances against vice
in this city, The committee conslsts
of Messrs c. b. Felt, Heber S. Cutler,
Eugene M.Cannon, james W.Saville and
II, j. Walk. The meeting was held at
Cutler Brothers store and In addition
to tie committee. Chairman Anderson
Of the county commission was present.
This official was requested to give some
advice In relation to the subject under
consideration. The nature of 1t, how
eycr could not be specifically learned
before press time this afternoon. 1t Is
understood that the committee is not
satisfied with the campaign thus far
and that II will now make an appeal TO
Chief Hilton, II having been officially
advised to do so.
MAYOR THoMPsoNs LETTER.
The letter written by Mayor Thomp-
son TO the committee which is COM
posed Of Messrs, c. b. Felt, Heber S.
Cutler Eugene NJ Cannon, james w.
sayilie and II. j. Walk, is dated August
~, and Is couched in the following Ian
guage:
Gentlemen:-I beg leave to acknowl.
edge your communication Of the 18th
inst, relative to your petition which
was first sent TO the city council OF
this city. Your interest manifested in
the young people OF this city Is duly
appreciated by me. Your communica-
ton states that you see daily evil
denees OF evil and from this state
ment | Judge that your greatest con-
Germ Is for the young people OF our
community, Let Us deal with one sub
Iect at time, and that subject relat-
ing to minors, in which you are deeply
interested.
AS 10 the selling Of intoxicating
liquors to minors, have in the past
instructed the chief of police that if
any officer found any person selling
liquor to minors, that such person
should be prosecuted most vigorously,
and If n licensed dealer, the city would
take steps to revoke his license. As
to the allegation that children under
is years Of age visit saloons, billiard
and pool rooms, the police are enforc-
ing the law against such acts. The
laws prohibiting the sale OF various
forms Of tobacco TO persons under IS
years of age are receiving attention. IL
any police officer of this city knows OF
violations OF any law or ordinance res
latlng 10 minors, and such officer has
not taken the proper steps 20 have the
laws enforced In bringing the matter
to the attention Of the city prosecuting
attorney, II brought to my notice he
shall be removed at once.
II you gentlemen know OF any in
stance where a liquor dealer, or deal.S
otherwise. has violated any law or IL
dinanee relative to minors, kindly SUI
nit the facts-that is, the names of the
witnesses, II you can--to me or the
chief Of police, and the matter will be
placed In the hands Of the prosecuting
attorney Of this city, for the purpose
OF being prosecuted. II you prefer,
you can submit your proofs direct 10
such prosecuting attorney
The chief OF police informs me that
he has repeatedly Instructed the Of
ficers under his control TO be vigilant
in these matters. / consider that our
police force Is very efficient. II Is an
utter impossibility for the police force
OF this city, or any other city, TO de-
tect every infraction Of the law. II
you know Of any police officer who has
been derelict in his duty In this respect
thus exposing minors to evil contain
inations-it is your duty, as we'll as the
duty OF other citizens OF this com.
munlty to inform me or The chief OF
police Of such negligence | respect.
fully ask you for information leading
10 the arrest and conviction Of persons
who have, or are, violating the laws
referred to. Any specific case. or cases,
VIII receive my earnest attention. OF
course. mere rumors do not make a
case