Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-01-28
Unless the Opposition to Him Can
Show Reasonable Grounds
For Such Action.
HE HAS COUNCIL. MAJORITY.
With Martin ana Davis Deserving the
Gang on the Question lie Can
Afford 10 Laugh.

AT the present writing II can be au-
thoritatively stated that Captain John
b. Burbidge OF the salt Lake police
force VIII not resign his position, UNI
less the opposition to him can show
reasonable grounds for such action.
Captain Burbidge was asked for a
statement this morning concerning the
fight that is being waged against him
by certain members of the elmer cir
Gle" lie declined to make statement
beyond saying, Il see no reason why l
should resign"
In this, it is understood, he is backed
up by several councilman, including
members OF the american" party.
WEDGE SLIPPED.
Last night the opening wedge, cal
culated to widen the breach so as TO
give the elmer circle" a chance to car
~ out its desires was inserted, in tha
city council, but the wedge shppei
and there was nothing doing"
il came in the form OF a communities
ton from Chief of Police Tom y. Pitt.
removing Mounted Patrolman Jim lay
lor. The same reason that caused ta'
removal OF scores of efficient and faith
full officers two years ago was glveh
namely: For the good of the service
The News called attention las
evening to the fact that Taylor was on
the black list because he was reputed
to be a Mormon, as In the case of Bur
bidge. His qualifications as an officer
were counted less than cipher with
the rim removed. The bosses demand
ed his head, hence the communicate
from Chief Pitt. This was the wedg
intended to open the breach wide
enough to permit the exit of Captain
Burbidge, but the breach refused to
widen and the wedge slipped.
SCHEME WAS BLOCKED.
Ii happened when Councilman l.. D.
Martin moved that action in the matter
he postponed one week. Councilman
Stewart opposed the motion but MIR.
Martin had plenty backing and Pres
ident Davis granted the motion made
by Martin. With the communication
intended to remove Taylor, Chief Pitt
sent in the name of one James c.
Conyers as Taylor's successor.
The action of the council must have
been severe shock to the gang who
want to make a political machine out of
the police department, and they are
perhaps wondering why President Da-
Wis and Councilman Martin refused to
cringe under the lash They evidently
had their reasons. and, good ones, and
with the support q the six minority
members it will be impossible for the
bossese to Gust Capt. Burbdge.
POSITION OF FRIENDS.
Friends of the latter, In and out of
the council take this position, to quote
one of them:
Let them give some reason why Bur-
bidge should be removed. That he is
reputed TO be a Mormon will not do;
that he has not been n worker for the
American party will not do. He has
served in the police department for IT
years, under Liberal party rule. under a
Citizens administration, under Demo-
cratic rule. under Republican rule. and
now under an American party admins
tration. In all that time there has new
er been a single charge against him.
He has never been called on the car
pet he has never taken an active part
for or against any political party and
there has never been anything to indi-
cate that he has done other than his
whole duty as n police officer. Why,
then, should he be removed?"