The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-19
CITY CAN'T ESCAPE
PAYING POLICE BILL
CONTINUED from page One)

A1ohNluueu from rage OnesD
Discussing this attitude OF the city au-
ditor which the committee has sustained,
prominent lawyer said today:
This hippant statement merely illus
ton at the city hall OF the powers OF the
council and OF the city auditor. There
Is absolutely no analogy between the po-
lice commissioners and the heads OF other
departments OF the city government.
THE police commission was created by
the state, which directed that il should
be absolute In its way, whether the city
wanted IL or not. The heads OF other city
departments operate under and are gov
erned by city ordinances, which the city
council Is at liberty 10 alter when IL sees
NJ.
The law creating the police commits
sion is a state law; and the amendment
by the last legislature placing control Of
the commissioners I'm the hands of the
mayor and board OF aldermen does not
affect the commissions powers to eXpend
the money the city council grants IL.
There Is absolutely no string on the
commissioners power to make purchases
which I'm their judgment are necessary
for police uses. and the city is helpless.
I'm section IL is stated that: The ag-
gregate amount hereby authorized 20 be
annually expended by said board (other-
wise than for the salaries Of the members
Of the board. OF the secretary and OF the
clerk thereof, and for the payment OF the
aforementioned pensionsl. for the com
pensation OF the police for the purchase
and custody Of the property of said
city used for police purposes, for cleri-
cal assistance, and other purposes
necessarily incident TO the efficient
management and conduct OF said porce,
shall not exceed the sum Of $364.450,
and OF such further sum as the city
council of said city may annually ap-
propriate for said purposes.
"In section occurs the following. which
Is even more explicit: All expenses for
the maintenance of buildings, the pay or
the police, the purchase or repair of
property for police uses, and all Incl
dental expenses included in the adj
ministration of said police department,
shall be paid by said city upon the
regulation Of said board
This section leaves no discretion 10
the city auditor when a bill contracted
for police purposes by the commission Is
approved by that body, and requisition
for its payment is made by the board.
mo other department OF the city gov
ernment has such power and there is no
hold up that automobile bin for political
effect
The board need explain nothing to the
city council. The man from whom the
three commissioners, Messrs. Luther,
Gross and Pierce. voted to and did pur-
chase that automobile can go into court.
sue for his bill and win. saddling the
costs upon the city. The law upon the
subject is explicit
only n few years ago. the supreme
court decided that the city must pay the
salary OF the commissioners. a decidedly
unusual expenditure for the city; and
though the city auditor held up the sala-
ries. they had 10 be paid. as the law was
mandatory just as II is in the present
case.
"A wider acquaintance with the law ana
less hobnrbbing with politicians would
probably result in the exercise OF more
intelligence by some OF our city fathers"