The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1909-07-29
Pres. Simmons Of the Police and
Fire Commission Gives Orders
to Members of the Force
COMMISSION BACKS OFFICERS
Men Are Ordered to Enforce the Laws
Of the City and Protect Property
without Any Fear or Favor
and Without Dictatlon

| The most interesting feature that
has developed in connection with the
big strike at the Allen tannery is the
declaration of independence made by
| the Board Of Police and Fire Commits
sioners. Up to Thursday the police
force of the city had been held more
or less under the domination of Mayor
Scholey, but on Thursday z. G. Sim
mons, Jr., the president of the police
and fire comission, formally took
for the action of the men. There
was no mincing of orders on the part
in no uncertain words that the police
of Kenosha in the future would be
out of the clutches of political inter
ference. Early in the day President
Simmons called on Chief O'Hare and
Acting Chief Newhouse and advised
them that in the future they should
accept orders from Mayor Schoiey or
Ianybody else contrarty to law.
There had been story on
the streets that the mayor had
stated that he would call off the police
if the strike was not settled when
the ultimatums Of the strikers and
the tannery managers had been sent
out and this caused great deal of
caustic comment. This statement Of
the mayor was made the basis OF a big
article in one of the Chicago Socialist
papers Friday evening and it was de-
clared that the mayor had declared
himself Socialist AS soon as Presi-
dent Simmons heard of this fact he
took charge of the force.
In speaking to the police officers
President Simmons told the men that
they were under the government of
no one but the Police and Fire Com
manded them at this as we'll as at all
other times to do their full duty in
the enforcement of the law He de-
clared that they were not called upon
to take sides in the strike, but to en-
force the law. 1.-THE Commission he
declared, Twill protect you always
in every move you make and any man
who refuses to do his full duty will
be promptly relieved of his star and
removed from the force. The Com
mission directs you to use every posi-
bic means to protect the property of
the city and if it becomes necessary
you are directed to shoot and shoot
to kill and your actions will be pro
tected by the Commission.
The order of the president of the
Commission went as far as to order
the police to arrest and jail any Of
fetal of the city or any other man who
attempted to interfere with the of
ficials in the performance of their du-
ties. No extra men have as yet been
put into service by the members Of
the Commission and President Sim
mons did not feel that this step was
needed Sheriff Gunter has deputized
about all>the available men in the city
for work during the strike and it
would probably be a hard matter for
the Commission to find men to swear in
as special police officers.
The statement Of President Simmons
to the people of the day follows:
Il noticed in the Chicago Tribune
an article which misquotes the state
ment of myself as president of the
Fire and Police Commission.
~ desire to state to the citizens of
Kenosha the exact position of the Fire
and Police Commission with respect to
the unfortunate affair at the N. r.
Allen s Sons Iompany-the difficulty
with their employees. It is we'll known
that riots and disorder of a disgraceful
nature to the city of Kenosha have
occurred there. Whether this could
have been avoided or not by the chief
executive of the city taking a firm
stand for law and order, is immaterial
Some of our officers were assaulted and
beaten, and those of the sheriff were
likewise treated. Had it not been
for the courageous and manly stand
taken by the police and deputies, what
the result would have been in the city
of Kenosha on Thursday no one can
tell. Too much praise and support
cannot be accorded these officers in
the faithful discharge of their sworn
duty to uphold the law of the state
of Wisconsin and the good name OF
Kenosha.
cit was reported to me that the
mayor requested the release of these
unfortunate, mislead people who have
committed these crimes, SO unnecessary
so vicious and wrong, that to add an
other wrong by letting them out, scott
free, would throw disorder into the
ranks of our police force and under
mine the authority of the chief of pc
lice and sheriff Of this county. II
their men who were ordered to per
form their duty are not supported t.
the very letter of the law. what kind