The San Francisco call., 1904-08-23
LASHES
POLICE JUDGES
Rev John Stephens Finds
Prevalence of Crime Is
Due to Courts Leniency
CRUSADE STRENGTHENS
ministers and Societies Join
Hands to Suppress the
Sale Of Obscene Matter

:.
Police Court Judges and the Police
g Department encountered some caustic
criticism at the Methodist Ministers
Association yesterday morning and all
on account Of the circulation in the
city Of vicious. obscene and indecent
. reading matter and pictures which
had been exposed by the Rev. +. A.
3keast some two weeks ago.
Rev. Mr.. Keast announced that the
hands Of the committee entrusted with
the work Of suppression were being
strengthened and that among those
who had come into the front ranks are
the members Of the Epworth League,
the Christian Endeavor Union and the
ministers Of the Congregational denom-
oinstion.
e Further. Rev. Mr.. Keast announced
that he had received a communication
o. from the typographical Union in
. which that body has pledged itself TO
see 70 il that its label shall not again
appear on obscene reading matter.
It was announced that Rev. Dr.
John A. B. Wilson, another member
% the committee appointed TO gain
influential assistance in the movement
Is; negotiating with. his Grace Arch
bishop Montgomery and other leaders
in religious work in the city TO Join
q hands in the crusade.
During the morning session of the
Presbyterian Ministers Association
yesterday a committee was appointed
consisting Of Rev. F. A. Doane. Rev
Mr. Thomas and Rev. Mr.. McEIhin-
ney 10 do all in their power to aid in
the crusade.
At the meeting OF the Methodist
Ministers Association the discussion
was brisk lively and determined.
VIEW OF POLICE OFFICIALS.
Dr.. Francis Larkin. pastor of Grace
Methodist Episcopal Church. said:
believe the Police Department knows more
6hout this than We do I in favor OF
going ~ The expense Of & private police de-
partment created TO do exactly what the Po-
lice Department is already paid by the city
Nov. II this matter should be officially called
- The attention Of the police. and in face OF
that they should refuse 10 enforce the plain
law We should expose them 10 the public
q II We attempt 10 enforce the law shall
have not only 10 fight those who trading
IN obscene reading matter but we shall have
- fight the Police Department And why2
Because any success which we shall have
you'd convict not only those trading in the
ter
Rev. John Stephens. pastor of Simp-
son Memorial Church. said:
The blame does not rest altogether with
Chief OF Police Whitman and others OF the PO-
lice Department. but falls on the police courts.
uhere it is almost impossible for the enforce
Jnent of the laws ny the police because Police
q Judges refuse to convict. The prevalence Of
crime ia san Francisco is not altogether the
tsglt Of the police. but is largely due 70 the
Police Judges. who throw out the ma joIity CT
cases brought before them on mere technical
.: ties
Rev. A. c. Bane inquired as to the
law IN the matter and Rev. Mr.. Keast
answered that the law forbids the
printing. selling or carrying Of OBJ
scene literature and pictures.
Rev. Mr.. Bane asked in that case
why 1t is that the laws are not en-
forced and wanted to know whether
Chief Of Police Whitman had been in
terviewed.
Mr.. Keast replied that the attorneys
advised the committee that it was un-
necessary TO interview the Chief. as
the Police Department is well aware
OF the circulation and should do it's
duty.
Dr. J. ". Ross and numerous other
ministers addressed the meeting in
support OF the movement.
PRESBYTERIAN SUMMER WORK.
The Presbyterian Ministers Associa-
ton met at Presbyterian House yes
terday and listened to numerous ac-
counts Of summer work by members.
The Rev. Mr.. DOane told of the dedi-
cation Of the Presbyterian church at
Camp AIeeker, where during the sum-
1ner the congregations had been large.
DR.. Mcdonald. Dr. Theodore Burn
ham. Rev. r. W. Mitchell and other
ministers gave interesting accounts of
church work.
DR.. W. c. Kantner of the First
Congregational Church. Salem, Or,
addressed meeting Of the Congrega-
tiona9 Ministers Association yesterday.
The Presbyterian orphanage and
farm. San Anselmo. Is TO have a bene-
ut. At a recent meeting at the home
Of Mrs. J. L. Martel on Buchanan
street It was decided to hold garden
fete for the cause AT the home of
Mrs. A z. Kent Kentfield. near Ross
Valley, on Saturday afternoon, Sep
tember II.
It was announced yesterday that
the Richmond Methodist Episcopal
Church, Of which the Rev. E. D. Raley
is pastor. viii hold its first anniver-
sary service next Sunday. August %,
both morning and evening.
Owing 10 the difficulty experienced
by some clergvmen in arriving at the
Presbyterian Association meeting last
year on Labor day it has been decided
by that body to postpone the usual
weekly gathering on the forthcoming
Labor day celebration.
Health Board Restrained.
A suit 70 enjoin the Board of Health