Evening journal., 1902-04-09
An IMporENr CONCLUSION

AN IMPOTENT CONCLUSION
The Police Commission reached q
most impotent conclusion last night
after a so-called investigation into the
death Of Howard Windle. The solemn
warning that care should be exercised
in such cases IN the future is most alb
surd. stale. fiat, and Improbable, in
view of the fact that the conclusion
reached found everyone blameless. II
no one was guilty Of negligence in the
case of Windle. then II is unjust to
the policemen TO recommend that they
exercise more care in the future. The
statement of the board reads like a
verdict OF school boys. and seems to
indicate that no one was profoundly
concerned in any feature of the case
Eave to gloss 1t over.
We say that crime was committed
against Windle by-someone. Possibly
It is a crime due to our sys-
TEN. and In the face Of the admitted
facts the commission finds no one to
blame but hopes such things may not
occur in future So do We We sin
cerely trust that no more unconscious
men may be picked up in the streets,
since they will surely be left on the
floor TO sober up and If they die for
lack OF attention. It will be attributed
20 an act of Providence. We are led
70 infer that such things unfortunately
will happen. but II Is the duty Of the
Police Commissioners to see that they
do not happen. and the public has a
right TO be indignant when those hav-
Ing the matter in charge. smile resign
ediy. fold their arms, sigh and say that
they have no recommendation. II we
wish TO advertise the inefficiency OF
our police system we can take no more
effective means.
Here was a man found unconscious
on the street. and Notwithstanding the
commission says there were no out
ward marks OF serious injury" we
have been told by officers of the force
that when picked up he was bleeding
at the mouth and ears. Furthermore
at that time a man who was subse-
quently arrested. admitted that he had
assaulted the injured man. In view OF
these facts isn't II a little peculiar that
the unconscious man was laid on 4
bare floor without examination ol
medical attention for fourteen hours
when he died? And the commission
has no censure for anyonel The peo-
pie, We imagine. will not be so lenient
let us remember that what happen
ed to Windle may happen TO anyone
A police officer in speaking OF tn
matter denies this. saying that tn
officers can tell pretty we'll by the wa,
a man is dressed and by his genera
appearance whether he is respectable
What an admissioni We presume tina
a working man found unconscious 4
the streets will have his case decide
at once on the evidence OF his generi
appearance. II seems TO us that III
real point has been missed. Any ma
in such circumstances. rich or poo
drunk or sober. is entitled to ever
protection. The Police Commissioner
might have found certain members
the force at fault, or they might ha1
attributed it to the system. The
failed TO mention the fact that the
are no beds provided even for the mo
desperate cases. They did not menti'
the fact that there is no provision f.
proper medical attendance. only 50
per year being allowed for that pu
pose Their finding shows a compl
cence and a satisfaction that are
credit to themselves or 20 the city.