The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-05-03
ALDERMEN REFUSE TO ACT
IGNORE PETITION ASKING FOR
 POLICE INVESTIGATION.

Petition Asks That Three Aldermen
 and Two Citizens Investigate Actions of All Concerned--Two Communica-
 lions Received From Mayor StudIey-
 Discussion as to Location of Proposed Soldiers Monument Corporation
 Counsel Asked to Settle Dispute Rel ntive to Interpretation of Section II. of City Charter.
 That the aldermen have no intention of becoming involved in the present po- lice complications was clearly demon strated by their actions last evening. The matter was not discussed by any of the members, although it was brought to their attention rather forci- ply before the conclusion of the meet ing, when the following communica- ton and petition was read by Clerk Moran:
 To the Honorable Board of Aldermen of
 the City of New Haven.
 Gentlemen:
 The present agitation in the police de- partment over the matter of the alleged Temple. street pool room is a matter of wide public interest; and one that vital- Iy concerns the good name of our city. | It should therefore receive the careful consideration of your board.
 The statements that have from time to time been made in this matter prac- tically amount to an accusation, to the effect that the high official position and eminent personal responsibility of his honor, the mayor, and the police com mlssioners have been used, either by themselves or their associates as a shield for vice.
 | Such an accusation. made as it is by irresponsible citizens, and involving as it does scandal of the most serious char acter, should receive the most careful investigation. Whatever may be the technical requirements of the case, it is clearly the duty of your board to see to it that the truth or falsity of the laccusations, stated or implied, be es- abolished without delay. To let such charges go by default, or to allow the accused parties to assume that it is their right to hear and pass upon charg- es against themselves is not in accord with a reasonable conduct of municipal business.
 That his honor. the mayor, and the police commissioners have not before this demanded in their own behalf a full investigation before an unbiased tribunal or at least proceeded in some way against their accusers, who, unless they speak the truth and can prove it. i have laid themselves open to serious consequences, would appear to afford a fair presumption that an investigation is desirable.
 l That his honor the mayor and the DO l lice commissioners have ostensibly held an investigation, and after many meet ings and due deliberation have com pletely exonerated everybody of all blame in matter that appears to be a serious municipal scandal, is cause for tears or laughter, according as it is viewed from it's serious or it's humor- oIs aspects. The spectacle of the ac. cused parties presuming to act as theii own jude and jury is unparalleled, and the conclusions of such tribunal car have no weight with fair minded men Such performance can only hurt the cause of those who engage in it. l In the opinion of your petitioners the keeping of a pool room is but a venia offens& compared with the use of the
 police force for the blackmail of sucf Institutions by public officials or thiel l political associates. If. as is implied by recent events. such condition exists in the city, it should be probed to tht l bottom, the conditions remedied ani
 the blame placed where it belongs. I as seems to be believed by many vio
 lations of the law are connived at by the police acting under the orders o1 1 the police commissioners, with tht knowledge of the mayor, now is an ex cellent time to establish the truth ol lfalsity of that belief. If it is so tha' 1 the Sunday sale of liquor is conniveC at in return for the delivery of the SO called saloon vote at primaries and or
 election day, now is the time to inves l tigate the matter and correct the abuse i To the end that these matters may 1 l(yontin1Iad o1lf Third Papel