New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-18
CONVICTS AS POLICE.
REPEATERS CARED FOR.
Philadelphia Chief Makes Startling
.Statements-WeaUer Shut ont.
[Rr Telegraph to The Tribune ]

[By Telegraph to The Tribune
Philadelphia Oct 17.-John r. Taylor, Super
intendent of Police, gave startling testimony to-
day before the committee of seven Select Coun-
cmen, appointed to investigate the affairs of
the various municipal departments of the city,
as conducted by Mayor Weaver and his di-
rectors.
He said that David ]. Smyth former Director
of Public Safety. had ordered him to take care
of repea ters and told him to remove from the
''rogues' gallery photographs of men who were
serving on the police force
The superintendent was pressed so hard by
counsel regarding police in politics that he be-
| came angry, and said he would tell the whole
truth about the police business. In vain the
chairman tried 10 check him. and threatened to
eject him. but Superintendent Taylor kept right
on.
one of the attorneys said the committee did
not want to know anything about that, but
wanted to know how the homes Of the people
were protected.
.ru tell you" exclaimed the witness. They
are protected by men who have spent three and
four years in the peitentiary. and whose pict-
ures we're taken from the rogues' gallery by
Director Smyth.'
Superintendent Taylor's statement was made
despite the vigorous efforts of Milton 9. Work,
the chairman of the committee. to confine him
to the questions pTopounded by the committees
attorneys. The committee brought out state
ments from witnesses that policemen attended
a meeting of a political club when they should
have been on duty. Mayor Weaver and the
CITY partv insist that the police are not in poll
tics while the leaders of the Republican or
garization claim the policemen are as much
in politics now as ever they were.
Another sensation of to-day's inquisition was
the firm and almost forcible expulsion Of Mayor
Weaver and. three of his directors from the hear
ing The Mayor put in an appearance and de-
manded to be permitted to stay. but he was
ordered to get out, and after heated protest
he obeyed.
The meeting was called for O'CLOCK Prior
to that time Mayor Weaver sent letter by
messenger to the committee asking permission
for himself and his directors to be present for
the purpose Of hearing what might take pace
and 10 give the committee such aid as he could
The Mayor in his letter, said:
am extremely anxious that every act OF
wrongdong committed by any person III any
way connected with the admln!sIaton may De De
fully and impartially disclosed 90 not see
how his can be done under the rules you nave
adopted. excluding the responsible heaoS Oh 'iio
deDartments as we'll as myself
I have. noted that the counsel whom you have
retained are the COunse! for certain orhclaiS anu
c,,,+ra ctors now under criminal charges and IN
5ictments for frauds upon the city, or lncuIpateu
in such frauds 1t seems TO me that II is lmpoS-
sibIe for these counsel TO occupy the dual Teia-
tiOnShiD of representing at the S'lIlF IiiliN
now under formal criminal aCcusat tons-WhoSe
acts I presume. you will also lnFestlgdte-lil
khe courts of Justice, and imparually aidliS you
In an investigation touching the integrity OF the
municipal administration.
The committee did not make a reply, and ex-
actIy at 3 O'Clock Mayor Weaver. accompanied
bv Colonel Sheldon Potter Director OF Pubic
Safety: Lincoln Acker, Director of Public
Works and F. J. Shoyer. Director of the De-
partruent of Supplies. walked into the committee
room before the committee had assembled. a
few minutes later the sergeant at arms politely
informed the Mayor that, inasmuch as only wit
nesses and newspaper men would be admitted to
tire.
When the excitement incident 10 the ordering
out of the Mayor had subsded the committee
convened and the first witness called was Su-
perintendent Taylor. He testified that he was
president of the oath Republican Ward club, and
that the greater number of the policemen Of the
district in which the club is situated were mem
hers of the organization In answer TO questions
ne said on the last meeting night of the club forty
nr hftv nolicement attended the meeting. some
of them leaving their beats 10 do so. He said the
absent poIicemen's beats were covered, but ne
refused 10 explain in what manner.
The policemen attended the meeting by per
mission of the lieutenant of the district. who had
receiy ed orders from Mr. Smyth, former Director
Of Public Safety that political meetings II they
mitted to attend political meetings the!
wanted TO This order, he said. had not Deen
rescinded by the present director. ne dtiiien te
that he issued orders 10 men how TO vote on
club ma atters EXCEPT that he told them he was
with the administration and that the men shouid
also help the Mayor