The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-04-01
ORDER IGNORED
BY BURBIDGE
Did Not Take Charge Of Police
Department Yesterday.
WILL MANDAMUS AUDITOR
LEGAL STEPS TO FORCE HIM TO
PAY OFFICERS.
WILL MANDANUS AUDITOR

The resolution of the city council ig-
noring George A. Sheets as chief and
ordering Captain John Burbidge to as
sumo charge of the department has
been Ignored by the police as supreme
iy as the council has ignored Chief
Sheets. The latter is still running the
department and says ne proposes 90
continue 90 do $50. The only hitch is the
tie-up of the salaries of the officers,
and the department viii attempt 20
break this without much delay
Maudamus proceedings viii be COM
menced against city Auditor Reiser to
compel him Co pay the salaries of the
men for the past month. This, it is be-
leved, VIII settle the matter SO far as
the officers are concerned. Chief Sheets
proposes 90 take his case into the courts
for settlement If Auditor Beiser insists
on Withholding his salary. just when
the mandamus proceedings viii be
commenced the officers have not de-
cided, but It win probably be within
the next two or three days.
Policemen Ignore Council Resolution
Notwithstanding the resolution of the
council. the desk of chief of police was
held down as usual yesterday by Chief
Sheets. He issued orders and they were
carried out Captain Rurbidge made no
effort 90 follow the Instructions of the
council and assume charge. He went
right along Iu his accustomed position
as usual as the second i'm authority
The policemen from the first sergeant
down said.
$50 far as I am concerned George
Sheets u.s. chief and 1 ann here Co do as
DE orders. He is chief of police and we
shall recognize him as suchs
Captain Burbidge, when asked what
be proposes to do In regard 90 the or
ders of the council replied.
This is not my fight. Things are go
ing along all right as they are, and i
suppose they win continue 90 do so. ]
have nothing more TO say about the
matter
Captain Burbidge would not say that
be would not assume charge as ordered
by the council but the fact remains
that he did not even attempt tu take
charge. and if the old saying that "ac-
u0ns speak louder than words is true.
ne declines to follow the instructions
OF the council
Will Mandamus Auditor Reiser.
The only thing that is troubling the
department is the refusal of the CITY
auditor 90 pay the monthly salaries.
The payrllls that were returned To
the department with instructions lhal
they should be- approved by captain
Burbidge before they would be paid
are stil at the police department And
O. #.H ##.H HsaHa
as aUurOytr of the lists. Captain Bur
hldge hasn't signed his name, and the
indications are that he does not pro-
nose Co. 10 lis not believed 20 be neces-
sary. as it is considered that mandamus
proceedings VIII serve the same pur-
pose.
Chief Sheets. when asked if they
would commence maudamus proceed
iugs 90 get the officers pay. said.
wen DO that We propose 90 get
the boys their money, and we will.
He stated further that some of the
officers would probably take action, as
they could do 10 under the clrcum-
stances. When told that Auditor Rel
ser was contemplating mandamusing
Captain Burbidge % force him to sign
the payr0Ils. the chief said.
''I don't think he can. 1t isn't his
kick IL the department is willing TO go
on without pay. To is for as % man
damus him to get our wages. / don't
care about him holding mp my wages
Tor "a time. but If he continues TO do IL
] win take nay case into court 90 settle
ST. z think one mandamus win suffice
90 settle the matter SO far as the other
officers are concerned
Mayor Criticises the Auditor.
Mayor Thompson. in expressing him
self about the natter said.
"I think 10 is "a shame shat the wages
of an the boys should De held up bee
cause of this fight 10 wouldn't matter
so much if they only held up Sheets
pay. bur it l=u't fair 90 the other boys
to hold out theirs. I believe. however
that the matter can be settled without
legal proceedings. Az any rate. the
boys win seJ their pay
Auditor Eelser evidently did not want
Co force the issue any further ycster-
day, Tor he asked an opinion of City
Attorney Nye III lL would Dee lawful for
him JD audit the payrOlis without a
certificate as To- their correctness from
the head of the department. When I'M
formed that he could not do it. The
auditor sent the uayrJIIs back 90 the
police station. with the request that
Captain ElI1.dge certify Co them.
II city Attorney Nyg had ruled that
f, was NOT necessary for certificate .
Auditor Eelser would have audited an
the salaries excepting that of Chief .
Sheets. He would have ignored the .
latters claim. because be- does not rec .
u-u-Ze the action of the council iu F.
cI-.rmE him.
Auditor Reiser gave the Implication 7.
yesterday chat ~ Captain Burbidge did /
not certify The payIous within "a rea- /
soma .'a ..EH.H H #|H#a that H-Hn.r- /.