The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-05
The CITY
Report Of Sup't Of Police Waite to
Mayor Jones Outlining De-
partment's Work.
It's Success Leaves Affairs in Good
Shape for the New Ad-
ministration.

In his address to the council this after
noon Acting Mayor d: p. Jones made lit
tie reference to the policy Of his admins.
tration or to the things it had accomp-
lished. He mentioned, however. the re-
port Of Superintendent of Police E. f.
Waite in which the work of the admins
tration iss carefully reviewed. Mr.. Waite
outlines the duties Of a police department
the reforms that have been accomplished
and points out some of the needs of the
department in part as below: &
The primary duty of a police depart
ment is to protect life and property, to
prevent crime and catch criminals. An
important. but secondary function is to-
conserve public morals to guard the
young and to regulate those vicious tend
encies which always exist in a large city.
and which create public nuisances and
menace the welfare of society. A third
task of the police Is to promote public
safety and convenience by enforcing those
laws which have these ends in view, and
to aid in the relief of the discomforts and
the correction Of the mishaps which are
constantly Detailing the citizen in his rela-
lions to the public. p, - .-.g. go
THE work Of the department in pre-
venting and detecting crime has been, ON
the whole, quite satisfactory. During the
last four and one-half months the serious
offenses against life and property have
been few. One large burglary and one
homicide, unintentionally committed in
connection with a robbery, comprise the
total Of noteworthy crimes committed in
Minneapolis since Aug. Is. There have
been about the usual number Of petty
thefts. small burglaries 7 and SO. called
hold -ups,' mostly cases in which drunken
strangers have been robbed by their, COM
panions.@ In October there were several
instance Of porch climbing which were
greatly exaggerated in the Imagination Of
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warning sent out by the department.
:, 80 "A Good Work.
Among the changes effected during this
administration may be mentioned the fol-
| lowing: . ..... III T.. g.. It.
"The abolition of houses of prostitution
| in the business and residence districts.
| The driving from the streets, and in
! many cases from the city, of the 'roomers
! who infested the city for many months.
| 'The more strict control of bawdy
houses in the districts where they have
been tolerated. including the rigid ex-
clusion Of minors OF both sexes, and the
prohibition of the sale Of intoxicants on
the premises.
| "The abolition of the system Of in
directly licensing houses Of i'll fame by
periodically filming them for the purposes
Of rev enue. - :: -. i ~ ,..t<
'"rhe suppression of public gambling
| houses. -s.sea. -. , -. ID. ..-r' II, ~
The elimination of 'nickel-in the slot
stores, saloons and other public places.
The Saloon Problem.
'"rhe retail liquor trade is a necessary
object Of police surveillance and presents
many perplexing questions. Much at.
tention has been given to preventing un.
llicensed selling and sales to minors. The
Illegal practice Of transferring licenses
was recognized as q substantial abuse. NJ
attempt has been made to close the sa-
10 sns Sunday, but strict regulations have
been enforced on that day! Closing al
midnight has. been insisted upon, tht
winernom ordinance has been enforced
aud nuch has been done to drive lewC
women from the saloons where they have
been accustomed to resort. I am glad tt
say that in Its. efforts to clean up thu
saloon business the department has hat
tie good will and to some extent thu
CO. operation of the better class Of pro
p-ictcrs. The absolute closing Of saloon!
OIL election day, as Is now required by tn,
state law, seems to have met with genera
appreciation. ....
, cit IS not claimed that all these en-
forced conditions have been effected alb
> solutc!y anG without exception, but care
full inquiry shows that they exist to-da.
! in q substantial and highly satisfactor.
by their results to the great body o
!, law -;.b:dirg citizens there can be NJ
!. doubt ,A %,...> 49,. ~.
) Identification Records Needed.
: ''.The department is shamefully de
f1cient in its means for Identifying Grim
: inals, a most essential branch of modern
police equipment. The building up of
good ''rogues' gallery and the developing
Of our embryo. Bertillon system nigh
proftably occupy the entire time of
specially qualified man for a very con
siderable period =. II. ....- ~...
Immediately upon taking charge Q
the department and with the mayors ap
prevail, I detailed Captain Henry
Getchel as acting assistant superintend
ent of police with immediate supervisio
over the uniformed force and the equip
ment Of the department. and Inspecto
James G. Doyle as captain of detective.
The plan has worked well. and believ
the efficiency Of the department. will b
: promoted by its continuance, with in
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