The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-05-27
rect Erroneous Impression.

and Made Responses to Enquiries
 Professor Rents Statement to Cor rect Erroneous Impression.
 At the residence of Joseph Porter, 215 Whitney avenue, last evening was held conference of about thirty represen- tative residents of the Eighth ward or of that section of the city which has recently been the scene of several very brutal assaults on unprotected women who ventured out in the streets after dusk. The meeting was called at the suggestion of several gentlemen who have been closely connected with the plan to reorganize the police depart nent of the city, or at least to secure to the people of that section of the city better protection and more lights on the streets.
 The meeting was called to order shortly after eight o'clock with Joseph Porter as chairman and Professor Yam dell Henderson as secretary. While there was nothing of definite nature done nor any mention made of offering Q reward for the capture of the as- sailants, as had been reported, nor the organization of vigilance committee, yet the following resolution was pass ed.
 Resolved, That an executive commit tee of five be appointed by the chair man, to take such action as may be found expedient to secure an improve ment of the police department of the city.
 This committee will be appointed within few days and 1t is highly probable that there will be another meeting. Another resolution to the eff feet that committee be appointed to consider the forming of permanent organization from the gentlemen pres ent last evening was also passed This organization would be in the nature of a government club and would deal with the revisions of the charter. the general welfare of the residents of the city, street lighting, policing and other mat ters of importance. This committee will also be announced within a few days.
 While the meeting last night was in tended to comprise only residents of the Eighth ward City Attorney Webb and Clerk Fl. l.. Isbell were present up- on invitation. but the gentlemen were decidedly close mouthed as to the statements which either of the gentle men had made at the meeting. They did say, however, that the two repre- sentatives of the City court were pres ent at the conference simply because some of those present desired to con- sider statement of facts tending to show the increase of crime in the city, and especially within the last year or so. It was asked whether or not ei- ther of the gentlemen referred to spoke concerning the charges which were to be filed with the commissioners at the time of the hearing on the raid of Me- Kee's pool room. This was answered by saying that the gentlemen had been invited simply with the idea in mind of learning something from them of ficially concerning the increase of crime.
 It was reported at the meeting that during the past two years there have been three murderous assaults, about dozen burglaries, and thirty or forty minor offences committed in that sec- tion of the city, and that so far as re- ported none of the criminals had ever been captured, nor had any of the stol- en goods ever been recovered. This statement is given precisely with the snae qualification as stated last even l ing.
 The discussion on present police in efficiency lasted nearly two hours, and there was no attempt to refute the re- marks made by any of the speakers, as no one representing the police depart ment was present to meet the argu- ments as presented. The discussion was thus a statement of experiences, and the committees to be appointed Twill accomplish whatever may be done or intended.
 By way os an answer to some err roneous statements which have been made in the press with reference to the failure to officially notify the police un- til ten o'clock on the morning after the assault on Miss Richards, Professor Kent read the following statement: Continued on Second Page.)