The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-28
WORK OF THE COMMISSION.


The action of Chairman Luther of the police
commission in giving orders for more vigorous
enforcement of the liquor and automobile laws per-
sonally to the captains Of the several districts,
will no doubt be approved by citizens as wise and
judicious.
Under existing circumstances more satisfac-
tory results likely to be obtained by such direct
transmission OF the orders of the board to the dis
trict commanders, than if the chief were alone the
medium Of communication.
Whether the commission realizes it not,
Chief Matthews stands before his subordinates in
the police department and before the people of the
entire community as a man convicted OF a grave
offence. The effect of this conviction cannot fail
to lessen,, if it does not destroy that confidence
and respect which subordinates should have for
their chief if they are to give him ready and willing
obedience and the best service of which they
capable.
The imposition of punishment farcical in
its inadequacy, lessons in not the smallest degree
the odium which that conviction carries with it.
In the eyes of the members of the police de-
partment Matthews is guilty. What sort Of
obedience is likely to be given his commands by
men whose conscience and self respect must pro-
test against the gross failure of justice that left him
in position to commando
Will it not be only perfunctory, spiritless and
unsatisfactory? The commission may control the
conduct of the members of the police force, but it
cannot compel respect for a chief whose conviction
marked him unworthy OF it,
So long as Matthews is retained at the head
of the department, Chairman Luther will do well
to continue the practice Of conveying orders of the
commission directly to the captains. By doing
so the city is likely to obtain decidedly better
vice than if these captains required to take
orders from dsgraced chief.
The instructions given the captains yesterday
by Chairman Luther chiefly concerned more
efficient and vigorous enforcement Of the liquor
laws. That there is need Of police activity in this
respect none at all acquainted with existing condi
tions will deny
But does not the commission purpose to deal
with class of lawbreakers infinitely more harmful
to the community than those who conduct drug
store tipping shops and kitchen barsf There
doing business in this city dozen or more so-called
hotels that are nothing more nor less than bagnos
They are the resorts of the wicked and depraved
of both sexes They serve as lures for the ignorant
and the innocent and work their moral and physical
ruin.
Such places are disgrace to the community
scandal to right-thinking and decent-living citi-
zens, who for many months, even years, have been
astounded at the shameful apathy that permits
them to pursue their revolving traffic in vice
with all the mpudence of assured immunity.
These noisome dens should be suppressed with
out delay The viciousness and wickedness they
breeding dwarf into comparative insgnihcance
the evils the drugstore groggery and the kitchen
bar infict upon the community.
Now that the commission seems inclined
toward vigorous action and shows an intention to
deal directly with the commanding officers in the
several districts, the people will look with more
confidence than they did before for an imme-
date roofing out OF these resorts OF the vile and
the vicious
BY all means let the keepers OF drugstore dram
shops and kitchen bars be exposed and chastised,
but let not the greater offenders, the debauchers
of the young, the innocent and ignorant go un-
whipped OF justice.