The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-06-15
S NTH CHAR &c S
FINALLY FILED
WITH YERkES
COMMISSIONER is ACCUSED OF
OFFICIAL MIscoNDUcT IN PER.
MiTTING SALOONS TO REMAIN
OPEN ON SUNDAY.

the removal of Police Commissioner
Smith was(made al noon Monday,
when a deputation from the committee
waited upon Prosecuting Attorney
Yerkes, laid before him charges
against the commissioner. and asked
that he recommend TO Governor War
ner that the charges be taken up.
The charges cover 20 pages OF type
written matter. and are accompanied
by afiidsvits made by members OF the
committee telling OF alleged violations
OF the liquor laws. The matter was
discussed more than an hour. Mr..
Yerkes promised TO take the charges
under consideration.
The petition sets forth that Police
Commissioner Smith has been guilty
OF official misconduct and neglect o.
duty. in that he permits saloons to re-
main open on Sunday VIGOROUSLY
publicly and without secrecy
IL Is claimed In the petition that
Julius j. Kahner. private detective
In the employ of the committee, found
a large number Of violators OF the
law. The petition then goes on TO de-
tail the action OF the committee in
serving notice on the commissioner
that saloons were open. and asking
why they were not closed.
Defied Committee.
IL is also claimed that not only did
the commissioner know the law was
being violated. but he declared in sub.
stance and effect that 1t is not his in
tention to enforce It, 1t is also
charged that he allowed the police Of
flcers to 'connive at. permit and allow
the commission Of the aforesaid
crimes" and that he refused to en-
force the law relative TO screens.
The deputation was composed Of
John B. Howarth, ]. l.. Hudson. Rob-
ert F.. Zug, William ID. Southwick,
William r. Farrand. E. T. Gilbert, @.
Jay Vinton, and the committees at
torney. Jasper G. Gates.
lengthy discussion OF the saloon
closing question followed the filing OF
the charges, and each member OF the
deputation took occasion to air his
views.
Mr.. Gates declared that word
from Commissioner Smith would close
nearly every saloon in Detroit
Commissioner Smith can close
every saloon in Detroit just as easily
as stealing is prevented" declared
Mr. Hudson. There is certain
amount of stealing going on all the
time, but the amount is small, and IL
the police start out after the saloons
most of them will close and stay
closed"
Prosecutor Yerkes' View.
Prosecuting Attorney Yerkes and
Assistant Prosecutor Robson argued
to the contrary. Mr.. Yerkes' said they
never could be closed. Mr.. Robson
said that the police force would have
to be doubled TO close the saloons, as
II would be necessary TO station an
officer In front of the door OF every
place In town
There is a sentiment In favor of
Sunday saloons In this city that will
make il impossible to close them" Mr..
Robson declared.
IF l thought the majority of the
people In the city wanted Sunday sa
looms wouldn't be here" Mr.. Hud-
son sSkd. Il don't believe 20 per cent
OF the people want to drink on Sun
day"
Your estimate Is away too low"
Mr.. Yerkes interrupted.
THE law says that saloons shall be
closed on Sunday. Mr.. Gates said, clos
ing the argument, "and Police Com
missioner Smith has planted himself
between the law and its enforcement
We have nothing against this Office.
and We had nothing against Commits
sioner Smith, when this committee
formed. We really organized TO help
him enforce the law. but he opposes
US. and we think he should be re-
moved
1t is now up to Prosecuting Attor-
ney Yerkes to examine the charges,
and make his recommendation 10
Governor Warner. II Mr.. Yerkes de-
cides that the commissioner Is doing
his duty, the charges will never reach
the governor
More Trouble for Smith.
Blank petitions directed to Gov.
Warner. asking for the removal of
Police Commissioner Smith because
he has failed to enforce the liquor
laws. were circulated In several De-
troit churches Sunday. The petitions
were sent out by George w. Morrow.
superintendent of the Michigan Anti
100," according to information given
out In Mr.. Morrow's office had moth.
ing 10 do with the scheme.
The Rev. VIM. T. Jacquess, pastor
of the Trumbull-ave. Presbyterian
church, strongly appealed to his con-
gregation to sign the petition. which
was left at the church door, and many
did SO. 1t is said Just how many
signatures were obtained In the
churches Is not known as yet. how
ever. The action OF the Anti-Saloon
league is regarded as a sort OF counter
move to the efforts being made by the
Royal Ark. the saloonkeepers organ
ization, TO save the commissioner
Henry c. Wobrock. president OF the
Royal Ark, who is circulating pc
tition protesting against any action
looking to the commissioners re-
moval, says he expects to get about
$4,000 signers.
Germany Grows Panama Hats.