Evening journal., 1906-07-30
REPLY In THE
GRANT CASE
Mr. Knowles Continues His
Answer to MIR. RiCe'S
Statement

Because Of lack Of time and space on
Saturday, Horace G. Knowles makes
the Following additional reply to-day
TO the statement by Assistant City So
licitor Rice IN the Edith Grant case;
/ desire 20 take exception 70 what
Mr.. Rice says in his statement regard
ing the attitude of Chief OF Police
Black and President Clarkson of the
Board OF Police Commissioners. In
quoting them as denying that they stat
ed they are helpless In clearing out
the red-nght resorts. u when arrests
are made the cases are dismissed IN
the Municipal Court he is not only
wrong. but, at the same time does them
On injustice. Both Mr.. Clarkson and
Chief Black made such a statement to
me both before and after Mr. Rice gave
his statement for the statement referr-
ed to was published. Indeed In my
last interview with them, which was
Saturday. they stated that unless the
rases are properly prosecuted when
brought into court and fines imposed,
lhat Il Is much better to let the vio-
lators alone. as after each dismissal
they are more defiant Of the law than
before.
Mr. Rico's explanation Of why he did
not examine the several witnesses sum-
f,oned 20 court the last time the Grant
rase was up. Is not at all creditable 90
him. Il was his duty TO examine the
napers-warrant and subpoenas-plac-
"a IN his hands They are given TO
him for that express purpose. and he
should not depend upon Tom, DICK or
Harry to ten him what are on the ofii-
ciaI papers he holds IN his hands. II
was his place and duty 90 examine the
papers IN the Edith Grant case before
railing II for trial and TO examine all
he witnesses subpoenaed in the case.
He has no right to guess at or assume
what Witnesses VIII testify 10. He adj
nits he did not examine that morning
SINGLE one Of the nine witnesses
against Edith Grant. and his cxplnna-
lion Of why he did not IN no way re-
ieves him OF blame for his admitted
negI. .eonce II naturally seems strange
10 anyone that with a large number
Of witnesses IN court ready 20 testify
in a case that the prosecuting officer
should. without the examination Of a
single one OF the witnesses, ask for
the dismissal Of the case. and Il his
action aroused suspicion he ha only
himself 10 blame.
Mr. Rice cannot he ignorant Of the
fact that the owners or keepers OF these
resorts have for several years been
raising money and paying tribute tol
certain public officials for protection
and he also must know that the agents,
hackers and attorney Of these resorts
are on guard constantly at the City
Hall and IN the Municipal Court to-
protect these places. ready 20 tip on
the owners or keepers IN case Of any
contemplated move against them. and
to furnish bail IN case Of arrest
The City Solicitor and his assist
ant have the means at their command,
both money and the entire police
force, whenever complaint Is made
against any Of these places, TO secure
within a few hours, sufficient evidence
10 convict them. and to prove this con-
tentlon reference need only be made to
the case of the Flight woman which
came before. and was promptly dis
posed OF by the Municipal Court Thurs
day morning. Mr. Rice may not be
deriving any pecuniary or other bene-
nts for remaining inactive In these
cases. or FOR proceeding against one
and letting others alone. and / do not
believe he is. but II he Is honestly and
sincerely opposed 70 these places, at
least the ones against which complaints
are made. there Is a way more eifec-
tive and convincing than columns OF
explanation I'm newspapers for him TO
prove and demonstrate IL. and which
when done in that way VIII leave no
question or doubt as to where he
stands on this matter.
Mr.. Rice appears TO consider my at
titude IN THIS affair one Of personal
hostility 20 him. It Is unfortunate for
him that he does not see the matter
IN n different and proper light My
action from the beginning has been
promtpod solely by what consider TO
be my duty to my client and what I
have done and said. I would have done
whoever might have occupied the po-
sition of prosecutor In the Municipal
Court. I have been seeking nothing but
justice and fair treatment for my client
and the matter OF supposed interest
IN a newspaper has had absolutely
nothing whatever to do with my action.
and such statement by him that I have
been Inspired by such a motive is not
only false and unfair. but is unworthy
Of him.