The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-18
MATTHEWS WANTS
OPEN MEETING
(Continued from Page one. )

continued from rage One.D
The general belief appears TO be that
the talk about carrying the case 10 the
mayor and aldermen will amount to little.
The only way In which this could be
done would be for Chief Matthews TO ask
Mayor Dyer to remove Chairman Luther.
Thoughtful observers say they do not
believe that Mayor Dyer would lend him
self to any such left-handed vindication
OF the chief. In the face of what has be-
come public knowledge; and they assert
further that even were he so disposed,
Mayor Dyer could not afford to imperil
his political prospects by course so an
tagonistic TO the overwhelming weight or
general public sentiment against the
chief
Those who are most familiar with the
affairs OF the police department seem
generally to believe that Chief Matthews
never would seriously push such an ex-
tion or revenge.
They assert that what has been reveal
ed in the Cristy- Matthews case is but
small part of what might be revealed OF
conditions that have existed in the police
department and that the commissioners
undoubtedly have much graver matters
within their knowledge.
Commissioner Luthers fearlessness and
grmness are we'll understood and those
who knew him best assert that, II oc-
casion should require, he would be found
the hardest kind OF a fighter. and that
he might be expected TO use all the weap-
ons in his possession with telling eeffct.
They say that they think Chief Mat
thews must realize all this. and that
therefore they do not look for him to be
so foolish as TO drive Chairman Luther to
the wall.
There seems TO be a general popular i'm
preston. also, that the retirement OF
Chief Matthews may be only the begin
ming OF a coniderable reorganization of
the police department Many believe that
what among some members of the force
is known as the Matthews ring may be
broken up and the efficiency OF the de-
partment thereby be promoted: and there
is widespread expectation that a change
in the secretaryship OF the board may al
so be looked for
one of the oldest members OF the de-
partment who Is also too old In years 10
look for further advancement. talked
quite freely Of the situation today, ana
said:
zone radical reform that should be In
stituted is in the detective department.
As everybody knows, Patsy Parker was
made the victim OF a villainous scheme
in order TO get him out OF the way; and
the detective department was also placed
under the direct personal supervision and
control of the chief OF police.
This Is all wrong. The detective de-
partment should be under a responsible
and experienced man, OF the highest de-
gree OF skill that the city can command,
and OF unuuestioned probity and executive
capacity. He should be responsible only
TO the commission, and entirely inde-
pendent OF the chief
Then the two branches OF the depart
ment should be made to work in har-
mony, each serving In a sense as n check
on the other, yet each complimenting the
work OF the other; and II they did not
work harmoniously the men responsible
for II should be discovered and shifted
or removed.
ITO my mind such n change would be
one OF the most beneficial that could be
made, would do away with the present
system of playing favorites. and would
tend to prevent the formation OF cliuues
and Inner circles
II am not talking with any reference
10 any man now In the detective de-
partment but only on general prin-
ciples; and there is nothing in the least
personal In what am saying.
"Of course. Il goes without saying. that
the men under the chief OF detectives
should be selected FOR their ability 10 &C.
tect and their proved integrity. rather
than through favoritism or pull and /
would do away with the present indc-
pendent system OF precinct detectives
and, while retaining them IN service In
the districts, yet place them all under
the direction OF the chief OF detectives.
Then, let every man be given an equal
opportunity: and let retention OF posi-
tion In the detective department and ad-
vancement be dependent solely upon the
ability and cleverness shown.
There are some reforms that the COM
mission might we'll institute pretty close
az home: but as regards the general policy
OF the department l regard this change
in the existing system as one calculated
10 be productive OF much Improvement in
the efficiency OF the department as a
whole"