The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-03-18
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
SAV. BANK
Courteous and Accommodating
LiberaLM Methods. Conservative Management

As long as the Samoiets anu games
were worth $4,000 a year to the city
the police knew every man, game
house, room. and peculiar detail oi
the business, as it transpired in AS
toria, and could put their hands on
any sport that was wanted; but the
instant the revenue end of the busi'
ness drops out OF sight, police in
terest falls to the ground and stays
there, despite the fact that this special
committee solemnly declares that
minor gambling is fourishing here
just as it always has done; and des-
pite the unequivocal statement of the
ablest jurist in the Northwest, that
it is the bounden duty OF the police to
use such means, as in their judg-
ment is reasonable, to detect Grim
inals and bring them to justice"
We would not go into this shallow
thing so largely, were it not for the
fact that the committee had gone
broadly out Of its way and duty, to
raise a political issue in the course OF
given civic assignment; course OF
procedure that transcribed their in
structions and was wholly voluntary,
as we'll as uncalled for and unjust.
This farce Of casting the response
bility for the arresting and prosecut-
ing gamblers back and forth between
the police department and the
shrievalty and district attorneys
office, is an old game; the people are
sick and tired OF it. The correction
of these evils is as much the duty of
one as the other. The police chief
and police force are either officers OF
the law and the legal prosecutors OF
its offenders, or they are not. If they
do NOT come within this category,
then the disbandment of the depart
ment is in order as the revenues OF
the city will not warrant any orna-
mental luxuries just at present. We
believe Chief Gammal wants to do
his whole duty, but like many others
in this mans town, he is working un-
der orders, and the men who have
the ordering are to blame for what OF
inanition the force is chargeable; the
District Attorney should know just
where, when, and to what extent, his
orders are obeyed and disobeyed and
do his duty in the premise; and as
far as the Sheriff is concerned, he
seems to have done his share OF exc
cutive work in the closing Of the
dance halls and bank games that
made the city notorious.
The citizens OF Astoria want to re-
spect their officers, from top to
bottom, and there is nothing
that will beget that respect and
hold it so firmly, minus all parti-
san bias, as the honest, unpreju-
diced, prompt fulflment of the statu
tory, and ordained, duties of every
officer Of the law; without regard to
the lesser orders, and inspired man
dates, of commissions, committees or
cliques, be they partisan, or organic.
And while were are about it, we
want to say that this Office is besieged
daily with complaints, sardonic, criti
cal, and otherwise, of the fact that
the majority Of the saloons in this
city are maintaining open back doors
every Sunday, without let or him
drance from the authorities, while the
minor number of them are trying to
comply with the law that bids them
close. This may be a small matter,
yet it is very essential, in the light OF
the wonderful report under discus
sion; but perhaps this too is beyond
the Jurisdiction Of the police, and
amenable only to the shrievalty and
constabulary. AT all events it is flag
rant and open, and up to some of the
guardians" of the people and the
peoples law. -.....