The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-22
DUNN DENIES ANY
PART IN GIllEn CASE
CONTINUED from Page one)

| Chief Matthews reiterated MS own ue-
NAL that the transfer was made because
OF any political reasons; and the subject
was threshed over more than half an
| hour before Alderman Dunn left the po-
| lice commission room. looking flushed
! and uncomfortable. followed a minute or
| two later by Chief Matthews, who had
| followed him into the room.
Chairman Luther assured Alderman
Dunn that so far as the Investigation
had gone to date, no evidence had been
presented to him TO implcate Dunn or TO
show that there was politics In the trans
| fer OF Gillen.
He declared that until charges were
| formally preferred there could be no pub
| lie hearing and that he could not gratlty
| the aldermans desire 10 be heard pubic
lv I'm the matter. as the board could not
try a citizen but must confne lts IN
quiries 10 and among members OF the po-
lice force.
II had nothing TO do with vindicating
Dunn or any other citizen over whom IL
has no Jurisdiction.
mo l did not say that had dropped
the matter. have not dropped H. COM
missioner Luther said today. AS yet
have heard from only one SIDE ana iroiu
only a part OF that side.
"Gillen. who is generally reputed TO be
a good officer, has yet made no formal
charges He has simply asked TOT uie
reason for his transfer; and some OF ms
friends have said II was for political rea-
sons. am still looking into II
II was expected that Col Colts he-
publican machine organ, the moutnplece
for Chief Matthews and Alderman Dunn
u,o,,id today distort what the chairman
said Yesterday; but II was not expected
that commissioner Pierce, who was not
i'm town when the controversy started anu
knew nothing about II. unless the iac's
| were hastily sent 10 him In his northern
| New England retreat. would De so Anxious
10 assume responsibility for the traIsie'
and exonerate anybody before he thor
o,,ahIy understood the situation, even
| thongh the chiefs organ wishes every
! thing done by a certain clique IN ponce
! circles whitewashed: or approved.
Alderman Dunn was right when ne
emphasized the political importahce sma as
| is attached TO the report that ne was
! instrumental in effecting the removal VI
! C,Illen from the district in which Diheh
| lived to another district 4, .h
s,hiect and II is not confined to the
| Third ward II is no tempest In yea,
! pot There Is a feeling that the aIlesed
| Underlying motives should DE IhqusIi,u qIsr
| into thoroughly. in order that the alder
| man NAV be completely vindicated, IL ne
| he mas no feeling against Gillen .as ne
| claims, and took no steps 10 remove oii-
| len from his ward. t,,,
| ers. II they probe the question In the m
terest OF an independent police force-a
force that will not look to the pohtlrdthr @ ardars
| from the commissioners-will not con-
| fine the inquiry to voluntary statements
| from Alderman Dunn, Chief OF fonce
! Matthews, Capt. A. Frank Mowry VINO
! is I'm charge OF the district, nor Lieut.
| Uartnett strong friend of Chief Mats
! thews but will go farther and near FROM
| Gillen and Gillens friends some OF whom
l,fot ,1f have
moved.
If any close connection between his re-
| moval from the district and these al
| legged threats can be established, and Or
| fcer Gillen desires 10 return 10 the dis.
| trict where he has been for years, and
| I'm which he was generally considered a
good officer. he probably VIII be re-
Capt. Horton. who was formerly in
| command OF the district, recently told
the News-Democrat that Gillen was
stood to have made the same assertion,
and TO have even stated that he likes
! Gillen.
| Alderman Dunn, II is declared. has
stated that he has no ill-feeling against
! Gillen. yet Gillen was transferred from
| the district i'm which he hves TO another
! some distance removed.
He did not want TO be transferred. and
| has asked why the transfer was made
| but some kind enemy stated TO the news
| papers that he requested 10 be trans
| ferred
| In the absence or rigid inquiry. there
| is something I'm the transfer which can
not readily be explained as a mere coin
! cidence. Gillens friends say that they
will show that there is politics in his
| transfer II s felt that II behooyes them
| 20 step forward and prove IL or TO hold
| their peace. as such assertions, IL idle,
] can have no other effect than 10 injure an
! officer whom the chief and tho alderman
say they have nothing against. and whose
| present record I'm the police department is
very good
II Glllen has been the victim OF political
J machinatlons II would be strange "
| some one I'm the police department Is not
| 60 blame for H. and once the blame is
! placed. some one will be made TO suffer
| for t.
II is felt that no better time than the
| present could be chosen TO demonstrate 20
! tile politicians that they must keep their
| dingy paws Oft the police. because there
| Is a police board I'm control OF police af-
fairs. and the people are looking 10 that
/ board TO stand between the efficient offi-
! GERS and the politicians who would control
them as they did years ago. undec the olo
ring rule az city hall.
IL will not be long before the caucuses
will be held I'm all the wards; ana tho
l Democrats who have seen the police force
msused i'm order 10 allow friends cf the
/ city hall ring 20 conduct AFFAIRS arc look'
| Ing for a different order Of things this
year. particularly In the Third and Mint
1