The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-06-13
DISPLAY
OF A PETTY
SPIRIT
Chief Of Police Adopts a Policy
Of News Suppression That
Will Not Be Tolerated.

A few days ago several woolly chapters
OF an alleged carnival OF crime were pub
lished in local sheet The minor and
trivial character OF the crimes ex-
plotted was suggestive OF hobby-horse
carnival rather than the real thing.
The stealing OF bicycle here and
there, OF clothes lifted from back yard
lines, a coat hooked now and then con-
stituted the main features OF the "carni-
val"
Nevertheless the publication aroused
the ire OF some one In authority at po-
lice headquarters and new order OF
things was instituted today
The reporters OF the several newspapers
have been privileged as a means OF facili-
tating the work which must be done
early in the day, to scan the morning re-
ports sent in from the several stations.
Such item as may have been marked
mot for the papers"-referring 10 cases
under investiga tion-have invariably
been passed. The reporters have not
broken faith
When the reporters applied for the re-
ports today they were held up
For the reason that one paper had seen
fit to indulge in bit OF sensationalism
the others were TO be punished
The morning reports were TO be sent to
the office OF the chief of police. who. at
his leisure and after he had completed
his duties In the police and 9Th district
courts. was TO read to the newspaper
men the items which he judged were
proper 20 go out TO the public.
This was an exhibition OF pettiness on
the part OF the chief that cannot be per-
mitted TO go unchallenged
And this was what was read off today
as police news by the chief
IA s-year-old boy. missing from home
"A runaway horse.
3-Another runaway horse.
A lot of trees blown down.
5-A lot OF limbs OF trees broken of
6-Sundry electric wires broken and
hanging loose.
This was what was not read Possibly
the information II made public would
thwart justice with a little 81
Paul Dixon OF IL Clayerick street
reports that he visisted Thomas Braun's
liquor saloon. at 46 Chapel street. at 10
o'clock last night and that he was there
relieved OF s32 in bills by some person 10
him unknown.
2-otto Gross liquor saloon. at ss7 Pot
ters avenue. was entered last night. The
thief obtained IS in small change
3.-Morris Drum, OF 23s Chalkstone ave-
nue. reports that his house was entered
last night. probably by way OF an open
window and that his hunting-case Il
Karat, gold-flled watch. Waltham move
ment nickle plated. attached TO a med
ium sized rope chain, all OF the value OF
s35 was stolen from his vest pocket as
that garment was hanging from one OF
the posts OF the bed The thief over
looked 500 in bills which was In another
pocket Of the vest. His brother, Louis
Drum. reports the loss OF "a which was
abstracted from his pantaloons pocket
The attention OF the police commas-
sioners has been called TO the ridiculous
attempt at news suppression.
IL another such exhibition OF pettiness
occurs IL will be reasonably certain that
the commission is more under the con-
troll OF the subordinate. the chief. than
the chief Is under the control OF the
commission which gave him his present
office
There are likely To be some very in
teresting developments at police head
quarters unless the spsteful policy
adopted this morning is abandoned at
once.