The Detroit times., 1908-08-29
CARRIE NATION is
ELECTED FROM
SM|TH'S0FF|CE
COMM SsloNER PUTS HER OUT
AFTER she ATTACKS HIM BIT.
TERLY FOR FAILURE TO EN-
FORCE LIQUOR LAWS.

II just wanted to tel, you the truth
before you go to hell"
This was Carrie Nations parting
thrust at Police Commissioners smith.
Friday morning. after she had been
e1ected from his private ONCE in pc
lice headquarters. Mrs. Nation had
called on him TO inquire why the ga
looms were permitted TO do business
on Sunday. The commissioner re-
fused to answer and referred his Wis
itor to the city charter for informa.
ton. His attitude reused Mrs. Ma.
tons ire to It's highest pitch aud she
did not mince words In expressing her
opinion Of him. In tones that could
be heard all over the building sne up
braided him until he took her by the
arm and led her to the door.
Unless you are slandered. you are
the biggest villain In the community"
she cried, IF you permit those hell
holes TO run In defiance of the law you
are nothing more than a murderer.
and one Of the biggest of them all"
Mrs. Nation appeared In police head.
quarters shortly after IL O'Clock. &C.
companied by Mrs. Anna l.. Ardrus,
president OF the local w. c. T. u.
and Mrs. Ella c. Bailey. a temperance
singer who travels with the famous
crusader. The three made their way
at once to the commissioners office
on the second floor and were promptly
ushered into the santum sanctoriun
hV M ho
liam Ryan. The three were courte-
ously received by Commissioner
Smith. who asked them to be seated.
Then ranged themselves In a sort Of
semi-circle at one side Of his desk.
with Mrs. Nation holding down the
middle chair. the seat OF honor. so to
speak.
Carrie oulxxes Smith.
Il came here to ask you few ques-
tfons." Mrs. Nation began, In quiet,
even tones. The first thing | want
to know is. how did you get your
job?"
by appointment OF the mayor" said
the commissioner
Do you have charge OF the saloons
In Detroit?'
navy uO SdlOOuS.
Il didn't ask you II you owned any"
and the fire was already beginning
to kindle in Carries eye. What
want to know Ia, have you the power
10 close them"
Madam, l understand you are res
ident OF Kansas"
Il am a resident OF the United
States, broke In Mrs. Nation.
For an answer to your question /
refer you to the city charter. You
will find a copy in the public library.
believe"
But l want you to answer the ques-
ton. am told by great many PEG
pie that the saloons in this city are
allowed to do business on Sunday
against the law. and l want to know
II you are responsible. | want to know
whether these people are slandering
you. for l may have been slandered
myself. you know. am told that you
have refused to prosecute salopnkeep-
ers who violate the law and want to
know of what is true. You know a
great many people are accused un-
justly"
There was solicitous infection in
her voice, as though she stood ready
to defend the commissioners If he We're
in need Of and deserved a champion.
But the commissioner would not be
wheedled.
IF IL need any help I'll call for It,"
he said. frigidly. Furthermore. my
time is occupied. am paid to work.
not to talk, madam"
Presses for an Answer.
II want you to answer my ques-
tons. No decent dog ever turns and
bites a female dog"
Madam. are you going to get out?
My time is valuable"
$50 you turn your back on three
women you came to ask you a civil
question:
IF the others wish to come and see
me on any question they are free to
do so. and l will talk the matter over
with them II they come In such COM
pany as to permit me to do so.
don't care to spend any time with
you.
Mrs. Andrus then took hand in the
discussion, observing that 1t looked
rather peculiar that the saloons should
be allowed to violate the law after
having been held to 1t strictly for q
time last spring But by this time
the commissioner had Mrs. Nation by
the arm and was leading her toward
the door, Il was then that Mfs-Fa-
ton turned on him and compared him
with a murderer.
BY the time Mrs. Nation left the
building big crowd had collected.
drawn by the loud tones. AS she was
passing out she caught sight Of a
young man taking chew OF tobacco.
That's right, Ali yourself with poi
son." she cried. Look at your mouth
and then at a spittoon and there's no
difference"
And Mrs. Nation departed. For the
first time I'm her life, she said. she
had been put out of the office OF a pc.
lice commissioner
Carrie Kissed When