Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-10-21
CRIMINALS ON
POLICE FORCE
Sensational Evidence at Investigation
Of Philadelphia Offices.
MAYOR WEAVER TURNED DOWN

Philadelphia, oct. 1s.-The special
committee OF seven If select councils
10 Investigate the affairs Of the various
departments OF the city as conducted
BY Mayor Weaver and his directors
iegan the taking OF testimony The
meeting OF the committee was not
without its sensations, chief OF which
was the request to Mayor Weaver and
three of his directors 20 leave the hear
ing room, and the statement Of John
b. Taylor. superintendent OF police.
that David J. Smyth former director
OF public safety. had told him not 10
modest election repeaters Superiuten-
dent Taylur's statement was made des-
pite the vieorous efforts of Milton c.
Work the chairman of the committee.
20 confne him 20 the questions pro-
pounded by the committees attorneys.
The committee brought out statements
from witnesses that policemen attend
cd @ meetiug IF a political club when
they should have been on duty. Mayor
Weaver and The City party insist that
the police are NOT in politics. while the
leaders % The Republican organization
claim the policemen are as much in
politics now as ever they were
The first witness called was Sunerin-
tcndeut Taylor. Te testified that De
was president OF che 2fth Ward Repub-
lican club and that the greater number
az the policemen of the district in
which the cl1h is located were mem
bore OF the organization. I'm answer 90
questions he said ON the last meeting
night of The club so or go policemen at
tended the meeting. some OF thom leav-
ing their beats to DO so. He said the
Rhccut policemou's beats were covered.
but refused Co answer iu what manner.
The policemen attended tho meeting
by permission OF the lieutenant OF the
district who had received orders from
former Director of Public safety
Suyth that policemen were 90 De- por-
mlttcd 90 attend political meetings 70
they wanted to. This order. De said.
had not been roscinded by the present
director
The superintendent was pressed so
hard by counsel regarding police ln
politics that he became angry and
started 90 make statements that startl-
ed the committeeman. Tie said III the
committee wanted 90 know The whole
truth about tho police business he
could ten Thorn how Director Smyth
told him 90 take care OF repeaters and
how hc had tu take from the rorue's
gallery tine photographs OF men who
were on the police force.
In vain tho chairman tried to check
him and threatened TO eject him. but
he kept right on.
One 81 the attorneys said the COM
mittee did not want 90 know anything
about that but wanted 20 know how
the homes OF the people were protected.
"Il ten you.' exclaimed the wit-
ness. "By men who have spent three
and four years In the penitontiarv. and
whose pictures were taken from the
rogue's gallery by Director Smyth."
Lieutenant Thomas Campbell con-
frmcd Superintendent Toy,or's state
ment that the men were permitted to
leave their beats under an order of
Director Smyth.
After the hearing Superintendent
Taylor in explanation Of his statement
on the witness stand recarding repeat
ers said that Director Smyth when In
Office told bim not 90 let the policemen
modest reporters on election day.
fNr--L -At - go ----,.-..